Dynamo Press Release

Doug Hall has been named general manager of the new Houston Dynamo Stadium, it was announced today by Bob Newman, Chief Operating Officer of AEG Facilities, operators of the 22,000-seat stadium set to open in 2012.

"We are thrilled to have Doug join the AEG and Dynamo staff in Houston," Newman said. "Doug brings a great depth of industry experience, including many years of success here in Houston."

Hall's responsibilities will include management of all event services and operations at the new Houston Dynamo Stadium, including development, booking, guest relations, financial management, contract negotiations, logistics, community relations, parking, marketing, and public relations. Hall will also be the venue's primary contact with the Houston Dynamo and the surrounding communities, as well as city and state officials.

"I am thrilled to be part of such a great project. Houston has tremendous sports facilities, and the new Dynamo Stadium will be the latest addition to that impressive line up," Hall said. "Working with the Dynamo, AEG Facilities, and all of the clients that will use this new facility is going to be a great challenge and a lot of fun."

Prior to joining the Houston Dynamo Stadium team, Hall served as the interim executive director and vice president for the 2011 Houston Final Four Local Organizing Committee and as the general manager and vice president of the Toyota Center and Houston Rockets.

The new Houston Dynamo Stadium will be a state-of-the-art, open-air stadium designed to host Dynamo matches as well as additional professional, collegiate, and community sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, conventions, and special events. When it opens in 2012, the 340,000-square foot, 22,000-seat stadium will be the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city's downtown district.

In addition to Major League Soccer and international soccer matches, the new Dynamo Stadium will also host Texas Southern University football, concerts, boxing matches, and much more. With its downtown location, the new stadium will be a part of a true ‘Stadium District,' which already features Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, as well as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green and The House of Blues.

Dynamo Press Release

The Houston Dynamo will host Mexican powerhouse Monterrey, the defending CONCACAF Champions League winners, in a friendly at Robertson Stadium on Sunday, September 4, the clubs announced today. The match will be the second in the last three seasons between the clubs; Houston beat Monterrey 2-1 in the 2009 Dynamo Charities Cup.

Monterrey has won two of the last four Mexican league championships and won the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League title, beating Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake 3-2 on aggregate in the championship, played over two legs. By virtue of that victory, Rayados will compete in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in club history. Coached by the experienced Victor Manuel Vucetich, Monterrey is led by forwards Aldo de Nigris and Humberto Suazo.

The Dynamo are 7-7-4 all-time against Mexican clubs and 7-4-3 at home, including wins over Club America, Pachuca, Atlante, and Puebla. The match will be the Dynamo's second international friendly of the year, following the July 20 Dynamo Charities Cup against Bolton Wanderers.

"We always enjoy playing against teams from Mexico," Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. "Monterrey is one of the more celebrated teams in Mexico, especially over the last couple of years, and they have great players and a great following here in Houston. We played them two years ago in the Charities Cup and had a great game, and we're looking forward to another one in September."

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26. Ticket prices range from $24 to $78.

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Awesome. Another friendly.

Dynamo Press Release

"Save our Soccer" designated as beneficiary for 2011 Dynamo Charities Cup

HOUSTON (Tuesday, June 28, 2011) -- The Houston Dynamo have joined Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez's fight to keep youth soccer alive in Houston's East End, the club announced today at a press conference at City Hall. The Dynamo and their charitable branch, Dynamo Charities, have committed to raising $65,000 to support youth soccer programs in the East End which were set to be canceled due to budget constraints.

"My constituents spoke, I listened, and our champion Houston Dynamo are helping us deliver. I am honored to not only commit a portion of my budget, but to partner with our Dynamo to keep the Milby Youth Soccer Program alive. This program is vital to our youth and the role they will play in our community. I commend our Dynamo and friends for making this crucial goal and continuing to establish themselves as great East End neighbors", Council Member Rodriguez stated.

To kick off the fundraising, donations were announced Tuesday from both the Dynamo and Dynamo Charities and club sponsors Greenstar Recycling, Dr Pepper, and Wells Fargo. Additional funds will be raised through the Dynamo Charities 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, July 16.

The third annual Dynamo Charities Cup, featuring the Dynamo against English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers, the club of former Houston youth and Houston Dynamo player Stuart Holden, will take place on July 20 at Robertson Stadium. A portion of the proceeds will go toward sustaining the youth soccer programs in the East End, run by the Houston Parks & Recreation Department.

"We feel a sense of obligation in supporting this initiative and successfully assisting Councilmember Rodriguez in securing the necessary funds for keeping soccer alive in the East End," said Dynamo President Chris Canetti. "Soccer provides many great benefits to children, and we need to make sure those benefits are not taken away from them."

More than 1,300 youth players aged 4-17 participate annually in soccer leagues in the East End, with games and practices held at Ingrando, Mason, and Milby parks. As part of the Houston Parks & Recreation Department soccer leagues throughout the city, the programs are completely free and, over a history of nearly 50 years, have produced several talented players that have gone on to play soccer at the collegiate and professional levels.

"When the Dynamo heard that there was a need, they stepped up to the ball and came up with a winning GOAL!", said Joe Turner, Director of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. "We are very thankful to the Dynamo, Dynamo Charities and Council Member James Rodriguez for supporting youth soccer and making a difference.

Those interested in contributing directly to the campaign can contact Dynamo Charities director Lori Ginsburg at lginsburg@HoustonDynamo.com or by calling (713) 276-7574.

Dynamo Press Release

HOUSTON, TX (Tuesday, May 17, 2011) -- The Houston Dynamo and Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) have reached a long-term sponsorship agreement, it was announced today. In addition to serving as the exclusive soft drink provider of the Houston Dynamo, DPS will also have pouring rights at and a founding partnership in the new Dynamo stadium, which will open in 2012.

The 2011 season marks the first year Major League Soccer teams have been able to sell the soft-drink sponsorship category, and DPS will activate with several elements throughout the season while also working with the Dynamo to reach fans at the grassroots level.

"Dr Pepper Snapple Group is very pleased to be working with the Houston Dynamo, bringing together two great Texas brands and aligning us with one of the most exciting teams in MLS," said Grove Brame, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the DPS Southwest Business Unit. "You can't find a better, more passionate soccer fan base in the country than Houston's, and we are looking forward to partnering with the Dynamo on developing exciting marketing programs that will play to the strengths of our brands and enhance the fan experience at the new Dynamo stadium."

When the Dynamo stadium opens in 2012, DPS will have exclusive pouring rights throughout the venue and will be a featured on-site vendor. DPS is the second company to sign on as a founding partner in the new stadium.

"We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Dr Pepper and all of its market-leading brands," said Dynamo Senior Vice President for Business Development Steven Powell. "During our consideration process, Dr Pepper demonstrated the greatest ability to not just join us as a sponsor but to become a key marketing partner for both the team and our new stadium."

Finally, the Houston Dynamo are ready to present Koke to the world. Here's the release announcing the press conference set for Wednesday.

Now, the next phase is to make sure that Playtherapy's idea, to chant...

He don't lie,

He don't lie

He don't lie....

KOH-KAYYYYYY!

...Gets incorporated into the supporters' groups chant log as soon as possible.

Check out the press release after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

Official Houston Dynamo Press Release

HOUSTON, TX (Friday, March 11, 2011) -- The Houston Dynamo and English-language television partners KHOU and FOX Sports Houston have renewed broadcast agreements for the 2011 season, it was announced today. All regular season games that are not nationally televised will air on KHOU's digital platform, KHOU 11.2. This year, 16 games will be simulcast on FOX Sports Houston or FOX Sports Houston Plus.

"These are two excellent broadcast partners that come with great credibility," Dynamo President Chris Canetti said. "KHOU is a leading network affiliate, and FOX Sports Houston is a top regional sports network. Having games on both stations is something we are proud of and makes a positive statement about our brand."

KHOU 11.2 (Comcast channel 310) will air at least 26 Dynamo games in 2011, its third consecutive season as the Dynamo's English television partner. In addition to game coverage, KHOU will highlight the Dynamo in a Corner Kick segment on 11 News This Morning, Saturday mornings at 8:45 a.m. KHOU will also air on its main channel a studio show featuring 11 Sports anchor Matt Musil once per week. Dynamo game broadcasts will re-air regularly on KHOU 11.2, and KHOU will also provide online updates via its KHOU11 app and KHOU.com.

"We are proud to continue our partnership with one of Houston's most exciting sports teams across all KHOU platforms," said KHOU-TV President and General Manager Susan McEldoon. "We will once again broadcast games and Dynamo Weekly on 11.2 as well as promote our partnership on Channel 11 and KHOU.com."

FOX Sports Houston will simulcast 16 games on one of its two channels, an increase from the eight games simulcast in 2010. Currently, six games are slated to air on FOX Sports Houston and 10 on FOX Sports Houston Plus.

"We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Houston Dynamo," said FOX Sports Houston General Manager/General Sales Manager Steve McNair. "We're excited to help the organization showcase such a dynamic group of players to the Houston community and to give Dynamo fans an opportunity to follow the team all season."

Houston Dynamo Press Release

Dynamo renew English, Spanish radio partnerships for 2011 season
Games to air on SportsTalk 790 in English and La Ranchera 850 in Spanish

The Houston Dynamo and radio partners Clear Channel and Liberman Broadcasting have renewed their broadcast agreements for the 2011 season, it was announced today. As in years past, Clear Channel will air most Dynamo games on SportsTalk 790 and select games on KPRC 950, while Liberman will air Dynamo games on La Ranchera 850. Both deals include weekly radio shows.

"We're excited to set this part of our broadcast platform for 2011," Dynamo President of Business Operations Chris Canetti said. "Clear Channel and Liberman have been strong partners in the past, and our fans are used to tuning in to 790 and 850 to hear Dynamo games and talk Dynamo soccer as well."

SportsTalk 790 enters its fifth year as the Dynamo's English-language radio partner in 2011, with Dynamo Communications Manager Jonathan Yardley entering his third season as the team's play-by-play voice. Most game broadcasts will include a 30-minute pregame show and 15-minute postgame show. Home games will be followed by a 45-minute call-in show with Houston soccer personality Glenn Davis, presented by San Jacinto Junior College. During the week, Davis will continue to host a two-hour Dynamo All-Access, which usually airs on Monday nights.

"We're thrilled to continue our partnership with the Dynamo and look forward to another exciting year of soccer on SportsTalk 790," said Bryan Erickson, Clear Channel AM Operations Manager.

Due to NCAA basketball commitments, the Dynamo's first two games - at home to Philadelphia on March 19 and at Seattle on March 26 - will air on KPRC 950 AM.

La Ranchera 850 has been the Dynamo's Spanish-language radio partner since the team's inaugural season in 2011, and play-by-play broadcaster Daniel Mejia is entering his fourth year on Dynamo broadcasts. Alex Parra will provide color analysis and Ricardo Palacios sideline reports for the second consecutive season. Game broadcasts include a 30-minute pregame show, and regular programming includes La Hora del Dynamo on Monday nights.

"La Ranchera is proud to renew our exclusive Spanish radio partnership with the Dynamo for the 2011 season," Liberman Broadcasting General Sales Manager Gerardo Reyes said. "We have been an enthusiastic supporter of the MLS club since the very beginning, and our entire station group has worked hard to introduce professional soccer in our Hispanic community in Houston."

HOUSTON, TX (Friday, February 25, 2011) -- The Houston Dynamo announced today that more than 5,000 fans have joined the priority wait list to purchase season tickets for the 2012 season. The list was officially launched on February 5, when the Dynamo broke ground on their new 22,000-seat soccer stadium in downtown Houston's East End.

"We are thrilled at the overwhelming response we've received from fans since we launched the waiting list a few weeks ago," Dynamo Senior Vice President Rocky Harris said. "With limited inventory in the new stadium, I'd recommend signing up for the waiting list because it is a free and easy way to reserve a place in line for 2012 season tickets. Fans can cut to the front of the line by purchasing 2011 season tickets now."

2011 season ticket holders are not required to sign up for the waiting list, as they are already first in line to select their seats when 2012 season tickets go on sale. Current season ticket holders will be allowed to select their seats beginning this summer, followed by partial plan holders. Members of the waiting list will then the have opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Fans can sign up for the waiting list at DynamoStadium.com.