Orange on the way. Dynamo's preseason slate set

Houston Amateur Sports Park via www.houstondynamo.com

You won't have long to wait before you get a chance to see the Houston Dynamo in action. Twelve days from today, to be exact, until the first team has their initial scrimmage, against the Dynamo Academy. Remember that scrimmage dates have a way of being changed, so before you make any plans, remember to check back here or over at HoustonDynamo.com. The local scrimmages are all at the Houston Amateur Sports Park, Dynamo's training facility.

(And here is a purely personal gripe. Am I the only person who dislikes the name of that facility? I mean, I know that the majority of activities going on over there are amateur club in nature, and that Dynamo activities only account for a minority of use. However, I feel that the name sets the team up for the worst sort of sarcastic abuse. It's like wearing a "Kisk me. I'm an amateur" sign. Isn't there someone out there for whom this could be named? Oliver Luck maybe? OK, rant over.)

Anyway, here's the preseason schedule. I know there are a few I have already circled.

Sat, Jan. 28: Scrimmage vs. Dynamo Academy 10:30 a.m. HASP

Wed, Feb. 1: Scrimmage vs. San Jac College 10:30 a.m. HASP

Sat, Feb. 4: Scrimmage vs. HBU 10:30 a.m. HASP

Wed, Feb. 8: Scrimmage vs. Montreal Impact TBA Carson, CA

Fri, Feb. 10: Scrimmage vs. LA Galaxy TBA Carson, CA

Sun, Feb. 12: Scrimmage vs. Portland Timbers TBA Carson, CA

Tue, Feb. 14: Scrimmage vs. San Jose Earthquakes TBA Ventura, CA

Sat, Feb. 18: Scrimmage vs. SMU 10:30 a.m. HASP

Fri, Feb. 24: Disney Pro Soccer Classic vs. SKC 5 p.m. Orlando, FL

Sun, Feb. 26: Disney Pro Soccer Classic vs. VAN 12 noon Orlando, FL

Wed, Feb.29: Disney Pro Soccer Classic vs. MON 7 p.m. Orlando, FL

I do not know if admission will be charged for any of the events at HASP. They haven't in the past, though there is always at least one date reserved for season ticket holders. My guess is that will be the Feb. 18 game against SMU.