Editors' Notes: USMNT, Landon Donovan, Brad Davis, UWCL Final, Memorial Day

US Men's National Team

I would be remiss if I didn't begin this week's Editors' Notes by mentioning the ongoing saga of Landon Donovan and Jurgen Klinsmann. If I wanted a soap opera, I would watch professional wrestling, though this comes in a close second. Stars & Stripes FC, the SB Nation blog focused on the US Men's and Women's National Teams, has kept a running story stream of the reactions of the Landon Donovan situation.

The stream still doesn't, as of this writing, include Landon's own reaction. Instead of wallowing into a woe is me shell, he unloaded his rage and frustration upon a shell-shocked Philadelphia Union by recording 2 goals and an assist. His two goals puts him as Major League Soccer's all time leading goal scorer. Too bad he waited until after he was excluded from the US Men's National Team for FIFA World Cup 2014 to actually show he can still play.

We also highlighted earlier this week the inclusion of our very own Brad Davis in the 23-man 2014 FIFA World Cup USMNT roster. Along with Davis, former Houston Dynamo players Geoff Cameron and Chris Wondolowski also made the squad. We would like to wish all three good luck as they head to the World Cup in just a couple of weeks!

Tyreso fall in UEFA Women's Champions League Final

Houston Dash players Whitney Engen and Meghan Klingenberg will be returning to the team following Tyreso's defeat in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final to Vfl Wolfsburg this past week. While we know it isn't the way the ladies had hoped to return, we are glad both are coming back in fitness and without injury. This is especially true after Klingenberg suffered a knock and was substituted out of the Final, but later tweeted she was okay.

Thank you everyone for the kind words. All is well with my knee. My heart hurts more than anything.

— Meghan Klingenberg (@meghankling) May 22, 2014

First Houston Dash goal at BBVA Compass Stadium

With all the struggles the Houston Dash have when playing at home, the fans were in for quite the treat when forward Ella Masar connected on a cross into the box past Karina LeBlanc of Chicago Red Stars to notch the first ever Houston Dash goal at BBVA Compass Stadium in regular season NWSL play. What made the goal special was as much for the celebration as for the history made.

Upon scoring, Ella followed in the footsteps of recently interviewed former US Women's National Team player Brandi Chastain by taking off her shirt and sliding on her knees toward the corner flag. It was a moment few fans will ever forget, and I am personally glad I was there to watch the magic unfold.

Thank you, @emasar3, for giving us this moment. #DashOn pic.twitter.com/CxRlD4gqw0

— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) May 24, 2014

Dynamo road woes continue

Houston Dynamo can't buy points on the road. Whether they are failing due to mental mistakes, terrible officiating or a lack of finishing, can this team find a way to win away from BBVA Compass Stadium this season? It doesn't seem likely as the team find themselves with 0 points in their last two matches on the road, and staring down the barrel of a third match against a very primed Colorado Rapids club in Colorado on June 1st. Can they bounce back and secure 3 points out of 9 on this road trip, or are they going to put themselves into an deeper hole heading into the World Cup break?

Really, what is most frustrating for fans this week is Mark Sherrod being lost for the season with an ACL tear. He will require surgery, and will not return until the offseason. This is a tough blow not only for the team, but also for a young player who was just beginning to find his rhythm and stride with the team. We wish Mark the best in his recovery, but hope he understands we would rather him take it slow and come back one hundred percent instead of rushing it.

Injuries continue to pile up, but on the positive front Eric Brunner found his way back to game day roster on the bench for the Houston Dynamo against San Jose. This is a huge step forward in his quest to return to the starting eleven, which is made even tougher by the emergence of David Horst and the hard charging pressure from rookie AJ Cochran. Can Brunner make it back to the starting eleven or do Horst, Taylor and Cochran keep him relegated to bench duty?

Pittsburgh Riverhounds Head Coach No More

Justin Evans, the Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, was relieved of his duties this past week much to the shock of many Houston Dynamo fans. With the Riverhounds finding themselves as the only remaining USL-Pro club without a win seven matches into the season, the club felt they needed to move in another direction. Defender Nikola Katic will take over coaching duties, similar to how Ryan Giggs took over coaching duties for Manchester United following the firing of David Moyes.

Can Katic be the man the club needs to find their form, or is he just a stop-gap until the Hounds can find a better alternative? Further, is there a potential candidate sitting among the Houston Dynamo staff who could make the jump to USL-Pro Head Coaching duties? I'm of the opinion Wade Barrett would make an excellent Head Coach of the Hounds, but hey, what do I know?

Memorial Day

Today marks a very important day for us to remember those who serve and have served in our nation's military, but especially to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. We are thankful to have the soccer insight of Houston Dash Reserve Goalkeeper, Haley Carter, but even more thankful for her time serving overseas in Iraq and elsewhere.

Take a moment in the midst of the grilling, chilling and partying to remember the men and women of our armed forces who never returned to their families, and those who did in caskets. Without them, we might not have the opportunity to cheer for the Houston Dynamo or the Houston Dash. It is in their honor we dedicate this edition of our Editors' Notes.