Houston Dynamo
Wednesday afternoon, the Dynamo announced the acquisition of English midfielder Andrew Driver on loan from Scottish club Heart of Midlothian. The versatile midfielder appeared in more than 150 games for Heart and was part of the club that won the 2012 Scottish FA Cup.
In his first interview as a member of the Dynamo, Drive spoke with Glenn Davis during Wednesday night's edition of Soccer Matters on ESPN 97.5 FM.
Following tonight's results in Charleston, the Dynamo are now tied for second place in the Carolina Challenge Cup. Houston defeated Vancouver 2-1 behind second half goals from Will Bruin and Adam Moffat and the Chicago Fire defeated the Charleston Battery 2-1 behind a stoppage-time goal from Alex.
The Dynamo still have an outside chance of winning the preseason tournament, but they will need help from the Whitecaps in Saturday's finales. Here are the updated standings.
| Current Standings | ||||
| Team | Games Played | Points | GF | GA |
| Chicago Fire | 2 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Houston Dynamo | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Charleston Battery | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
The Dynamo will conclude the Challenge Cup Saturday at 6:15 p.m. CT against USL Pro club Charleston Battery. Prior to that match, the Whitecaps and Fire will square off in their Charleston finale. For the Dynamo to win the tournament for the third time, they will need to defeat the Battery, the Whitecaps need to defeat the Fire and the Dynamo need to finish with a better goal differential than both Chicago and Vancouver.
All matches will be streamed on USLnation.com.
Rusk Elementary School, a school in Houston's East End that has been adopted by the Houston Dynamo, saw the latest addition to its library arrive on Wednesday.
Last year, the Houston Dynamo donated the funds to upgrade the nook in the library as part of the Building a Better Mind program, presented by BBVA Compass.
On Wednesday, the nook saw the addition of a new area rug. The rug was donated by The Oriental Rug Gallery and Room ReDo Interior Design.
The Houston Dynamo would like to thank all of our partners as we continue to help the youth in our community and build a better Houston.
The Houston Dynamo announced today the signing of Andrew Driver, an English-born midfielder who has represented both England and Scotland at the youth national team level. Let's take a look back at the key moments in Driver's career:
November 22, 2002
As a 15-year-old, Driver scored a goal for the Scottish U-16s in a 2-1 Victory Shield defeat over England. The Victory Shield is an annual football tournament competed for by the under-16 teams of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
August 25, 2006
Made his home debut and scored an 80th minute goal in a 401 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Premier League
January 6, 2007
Made his Scottish FA Cup debut at age 20 in a 4-0 win over Stranraer
April 29, 2007
Scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over Celtic in front of 60,000 fans at Celtic Park
July 2008
Driver signed five-year contract extension with Heart of Midlothian
June 22, 2009
Played for England U-21 squad against Germany at the 2009 UEFA European Union U-21 Football Championship
August 3, 2011
Returned from injury and scores goal in 4-0 win over Hungarian club Paks in Europa League qualifying round
May 19, 2012
Played 84 minutes in 5-1 win over Hibernian in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final
February 20, 2013
Acquired by Houston Dynamo on loan
With the Dynamo set to begin the 2013 season in just 10 days – against D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium on March 2 – we are counting down to kickoff with a Dynamo-centric countdown to Opening Day. See the bottom of this post for the complete countdown list.
Each day, we’ll post a description of what makes the number significant. If you have any comments on the subjects, post them in the comment section below.
Today, we continue with #10:
When Boniek Garcia joined the Dynamo from Olimpia of Honduras on June 27, the club was 5-5-5 after one of the worst defeats of the season, a 4-2 setback in Montreal on June 23. Garcia was expected to help the club, adding a dynamic attacking dimension to the midfield. But few could have envisioned the significant impact the Honduran would have on Houston's 2012 season, which ended at the MLS Cup final.
From Garcia's debut on June 30 through the end of the season, the Dynamo had a +10 goal differential, with 28 goals scored and 18 goals allowed in 19 games. Before his arrival, the club had scored 20 goals and conceded 23, for a -3 goal difference. Granted, Houston's first seven games of the season were on the road, so the first 15 games of the year were under different circumstances than the final 19 with Garcia. Still, one cannot deny that the crafty midfielder was a major part of the Dynamo's summer surge, as the club went 9-4-6 with Garcia after the 5-5-5 start to the season.
The Dynamo did not lose any of Garcia's first eight games with the club, going 5-0-3 beginning with his June 30 debut against Philadelphia. At the end of the season, Garcia was voted by his teammates as the Dynamo Players' Player of the Year, the ultimate sign of respect from teammates. It seemed like Garcia impacted every game he played, and he played 90 minutes in all 17 regular season appearances, and 90 minutes in all six playoff games. Below are some of Garcia's stand out performances from his debut season in orange.
| DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE | NOTE |
| 6/30 | Philadelphia | W, 2-1 | After just two days of training with the club, assists on Brad Davis' opening goal just 19 minutes into debut |
| 7/15 | D.C. United | W, 4-0 | Assists on Will Bruin's goal and then scores his first goal with Houston, which he declares the first header goal of his career |
| 7/28 | @ Toronto FC | W, 2-0 | Combines with Davis to setup Brian Ching's late goal, sealing first road win since March as unbeaten streak reaches seven games |
| 8/19 | Columbus | T, 2-2 | Continues blossoming partnership with Davis, assisting on his goal in 19th minute |
| 8/25 | Toronto FC | T, 1-1 | Garcia is provider on Bruin's goal, marking fifth assist in 11 games with Houston |
| 9/14 | @ Sporting KC | T, 1-1 | Garcia sets up Davis' second half goal as partners team up again |
| 9/23 | @ Philadelphia | L, 3-1 | Honduran provides first half equalizer with rocket off far post |
| 9/29 | New England | W, 2-0 | Garcia seals big win with stoppage time volley goal, followed by memorable knee-slide celebration in corner |
| 10/20 | Philadelphia | W, 3-1 | On night Eastern Conference playoff field is settled, Garcia's provides game-winning goal in 71st minute, followed by a two-fist celebration through raining streamers |
Return to the blog on Thursday for number 9 on our countdown to Opening Day.
BUY TICKETS FOR MARCH 2 OPENING DAY: DYNAMO VS. D.C. UNITED
Complete Countdown to Opening Day List:
#11 - Dynamo set another club record with 11 home wins in 2012
#12 - Tally Hall sets club record with 12 shutouts in 2012
#13 - 13 different goal scorers in 2012
#14 - Dynamo win 14 regular season games in 2012
#15 - Brad Davis' career goals and assists vs. D.C. United
#16 - Will Bruin sets franchise record with 16 goals in all competitions
#17 - Dynamo scored 17 goals in final 15 minutes of games in 2012
#18 - Dynamo have lost just 18 MLS home games in seven years
#19 - Dynamo finish 2012 with franchise best +19 home goal differential
#20 - Brad Davis' combined goals and assists in 2011 and 2012
With the Dynamo set to begin the 2013 season in just 11 days – against D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium on March 2 – we are counting down to kickoff with a Dynamo-centric countdown to Opening Day. See the bottom of this post for the complete countdown list.
Each day, we’ll post a description of what makes the number significant. If you have any comments on the subjects, post them in the comment section below.
Today, we continue with #11:
The Dynamo set a club record with 11 regular season home wins in 2012, completing a season that was record-setting in many ways. The Dynamo also set franchise records for goals (48) points (53) and average home attendance (21,015) while Will Bruin and Tally Hall set individual records as the club reached its fourth MLS Cup final in seven years.
Moreover, the club with the best home record in MLS history also completed the first unbeaten home season in team history with an 11-0-6 regular season mark. The 11 wins surpassed the previous club record of 10 home wins, set in 2011 and 2008. The Dynamo carry a 25-game regular season home unbeaten streak into 2013 (30 games in all competitions) and can set a new MLS record by extending the undefeated streak to 30 regular season games.
Below are details on each home win in 2012, along with the most home wins per season in Dynamo history.
2012 Home Wins
| DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE | NOTE |
| 5/12 | D.C. United | 1-0 Win | Brad Davis' 30-yard goal opens BBVA Compass Stadium with win |
| 5/26 | LA Galaxy | 2-1 Win | Andre Hainault's header delivers victory in 2011 MLS Cup final rematch |
| 6/16 | FC Dallas | 2-1 Win | Adam Moffat's upper-corner rocket seals win in first Texas Derby at BBVA Compass Stadium |
| 6/30 | Philadelphia Union | 2-1 Win | Boniek Garcia's debut sparks eight-game unbeaten streak |
| 7/15 | D.C. United | 4-0 Win | Dynamo open season-changing three-game homestand with biggest win of the year |
| 7/18 | Sporting Kansas City | 2-1 Win | Calen Carr scores twice as Dynamo maintain supremacy over East-leading Sporting KC |
| 7/21 | Montreal Impact | 3-0 Win | Four weeks after worst loss of season in Montreal, Dynamo gain revenge and cap nine-point week, perfect homestand |
| 8/3 | New York Red Bulls | 2-0 Win | Dynamo steamroll Red Bulls to gain first place with fifth straight win as unbeaten run reaches eight games |
| 9/6 | Real Salt Lake | 1-0 Win | On a night when stomach flu reduced Dynamo bench to six players, Colin Clark's stoppage time penalty seals unlikely win |
| 9/29 | New England | 2-0 Win | Scoreless game reaches 77th minute before Ricardo Clark, Boniek Garcia find net, ensuring win on rain-soaked night |
| 10/20 | Philadelphia Union | 3-1 Win |
Win completes fourth unbeaten home season in MLS history as Dynamo clinch playoff spot for sixth time in seven years; 11th home win sets a franchise record |
Most home wins per season, Dynamo history
| YEAR | HOME WINS | HOME RECORD (W-L-T) |
| 2012 | 11 | 11-0-6 |
| 2008 | 10 | 10-1-4 |
| 2011 | 10 | 10-3-4 |
| 2009 | 8 | 8-1-6 |
| 2007 | 8 | 8-3-4 |
| 2006 | 8 | 8-3-5 |
Return to the blog on Wednesday for number 10 on our countdown to Opening Day.
BUY TICKETS FOR MARCH 2 OPENING DAY: DYNAMO VS. D.C. UNITED
Complete Countdown to Opening Day List:
#12 - Tally Hall sets club record with 12 shutouts in 2012
#13 - 13 different goal scorers in 2012
#14 - Dynamo win 14 regular season games in 2012
#15 - Brad Davis' career goals and assists vs. D.C. United
#16 - Will Bruin sets franchise record with 16 goals in all competitions
#17 - Dynamo scored 17 goals in final 15 minutes of games in 2012
#18 - Dynamo have lost just 18 MLS home games in seven years
#19 - Dynamo finish 2012 with franchise best +19 home goal differential
#20 - Brad Davis' combined goals and assists in 2011 and 2012
With the Dynamo set to begin the 2013 season in just 12 days – against D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium on March 2 – we are counting down to kickoff with a Dynamo-centric countdown to opening day. See the bottom of this post for the complete countdown list.
Each day, we’ll post a short description of what makes the number significant. If you have any Dynamo-related numbers of your own, post them in the comment section below.
Today, we continue with #12:
Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall had 12 shutouts in 2012, the most in a season by a goalkeeper in club history. The previous mark was set by Pat Onstad, who had 11 clean sheets in 2007. Hall's rise to the elite of MLS goalkeepers has been swift: In two seasons, he has reached two MLS Cup finals, been named an MLS all-star (in 2011), and set the club record for shutouts. Along the way, he also set a club record by starting 67 consecutive games, from opening day 2011 to the final game of 2012, when the Dynamo rested most starters at Colorado to prepare for the playoffs.
Half of Hall's 12 shutouts came in a remarkable 30-day stretch in which Hall and the Dynamo recorded six shutouts in seven games. The remarkable defensive run began on July 3 with a 0-0 draw against the Chicago Fire and continued through a 2-0 home win over the New York Red Bulls on August 3. In between, Hall and his teammates allowed a single goal, a penalty in a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on July 18, which was the only goal allowed in the seven-game run.
After two stellar years as a starting goalkeeper, the 27-year-old was rewarded with his first invitation to a U.S. senior national team camp in January.
Below is a list of all of Hall's regular season shutouts in 2012:
| DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE | NOTE |
| 3/11 | @ Chivas USA | 1-0 W | Opening Day shutout began seven-game road trip |
| 3/17 | @ San Jose | 1-0 W | Clean sheet led to San Jose's only home loss in 2012; Earthquakes scored 43 goals in 16 other home games |
| 5/12 | D.C. United | 1-0 W | Shutout in BBVA Compass Stadium inaugural match |
| 5/15 | Portland Timbers | 0-0 T | Three days after stadium opener, Hall holds Timbers |
| 7/3 | Chicago Fire | 0-0 T | Hall begins seven-game defensive run with shutout of Fire |
| 7/7 | @ Sporting KC | 0-0 T | With temperature over 100 degrees, Hall limits Sporting KC's powerful home attack |
| 7/15 | D.C. United | 4-0 W | Dynamo begin three-win homestand with big victory |
| 7/21 | Montreal Impact | 3-0 W | Dynamo cap nine-point week with revenge win over Impact |
| 7/28 | @ Toronto FC | 2-0 W | Defensive run continues with first road win since March 17 |
| 8/3 | New York Red Bulls | 2-0 W | Unbeaten run extended to eight games with comprehensive win over first-place Red Bulls |
| 9/6 | Real Salt Lake | 1-0 W | Two huge late saves allow Dynamo to win with stoppage time penalty despite flu-ravaged squad |
| 9/29 | New England | 2-0 W | On rainiest night of the season, Hall holds Revs before offense provides two late goals |
Return to the blog on Tuesday for number 11 on our countdown to opening day.
Complete Countdown to Opening Day List:
#13 - 13 different goal scorers in 2012
#14 - Dynamo win 14 regular season games in 2012
#15 - Brad Davis' career goals and assists vs. D.C. United
#16 - Will Bruin sets franchise record with 16 goals in all competitions
#17 - Dynamo scored 17 goals in final 15 minutes of games in 2012
#18 - Dynamo have lost just 18 MLS home games in seven years
#19 - Dynamo finish 2012 with franchise best +19 home goal differential
#20 - Brad Davis' combined goals and assists in 2011 and 2012