2008 Houston Dynamo season

The 2008 Houston Dynamo season was the third season of the existence for the Houston franchise. The Houston Dynamo were the defending back-to-back MLS Cup Champions, and sought to become the first club in Major League Soccer history to win three straight MLS Cups. It was the team's third season with head coach Dominic Kinnear, majority owner Philip Anschultz, president Oliver Luck, and chief operating officer Chris Canetti.

In the MLS regular season, the Dynamo finished first in the Western Conference to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season. In the MLS Cup Playoffs, Houston lost to the New York Red Bulls 4–1 on aggregate in the Conference Semifinals. They were eliminated by the Charleston Battery in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. During the 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, Houston defeated C.S.D. Municipal 3–1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals before falling in the semifinals 3–0 to Deportivo Saprissa. During the 2008 North American SuperLiga, the Dynamo reached the final, where they lost 6–5 on penalties to the New England Revolution. The Dynamo also played in the group stage of the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League during the season, finishing second in their group to advance.

Major events

Team news Houston's City Council on January 30, 2008, approved the purchase of over of land near State Highway 288 and Almeda-Genoa Rd. for the development of an amateur sports complex—the first of its kind in the history of the city. The new complex will provide 18 fields for local soccer organizations and will also afford the area the opportunity to host amateur tournaments of state, regional and national stature. Once completely developed, the complex is expected to attract well over 500,000 visitors per year. On February 26, 2008, Houston Dynamo President Oliver Luck revealed the planned negotiations to the media stating that the Houston Dynamo would be managed in majority by original owners Anschutz Entertainment Group (who will hold 50% of ownership) along with newfound partners Gabriel Brener, head of Brener International Group, and multiple World and Olympic boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya (each with 25% ownership).

Final roster

Appearances and goals are totals for MLS regular season only. No.NameNationalityPositionDate of birth (Age)Joined fromJoined inApps.GoalsGoalkeepers1Tony CaigGKApril 11, 1974 (34)Gretna FC20087018Pat OnstadGKJanuary 13, 1968 (40)San Jose Earthquakes200683030Corbin WallerGKMarch 26, 1985 (23)College of Charleston200800Defenders2Eddie RobinsonDFJune 19, 1978 (30)San Jose Earthquakes20067044Patrick IanniDFJune 15, 1985 (23)UCLA200635116Craig WaibelDFAugust 21, 1975 (33)San Jose Earthquakes200663523Stephen WondolowskiDFAugust 13, 1985 (23)San Jose Frogs20080024Wade Barrett (C)DFJune 23, 1976 (32)San Jose Earthquakes200687032Bobby BoswellDFMarch 15, 1983 (25)D.C. United2008291Midfielders3Johnny AlcarazMFMarch 11, 1985 (23)Westmont College2008008Richard MulrooneyMFNovember 3, 1976 (32)Toronto FC20075109Brian MullanMFApril 23, 1978 (30)San Jose Earthquakes200689611Brad DavisMFNovember 8, 1981 (27)San Jose Earthquakes200671713Ricardo ClarkMFFebruary 10, 1983 (25)San Jose Earthquakes200675614Dwayne De RosarioMFMay 15, 1978 (30)San Jose Earthquakes2006782417Mike ChabalaMFMay 24, 1984 (24)University of Washington20060019John Michael HaydenMFApril 27, 1984 (24)Indiana University20070020Geoff CameronMFJuly 11, 1985 (23)University of Rhode Island200823121Nick HatzkeMFOctober 16, 1983 (25)University of California20070022Stuart HoldenMFAugust 1, 1985 (23)Sunderland A.F.C.200662926Corey AsheMFMarch 14, 1986 (22)University of North Carolina200744127Erik UstruckMFJanuary 4, 1985 (23)Santa Clara University200700Forwards5Kyle BrownFWAugust 10, 1983 (25)Real Salt Lake2008407Chris WondolowskiFWJanuary 28, 1983 (25)San Jose Earthquakes200630210Kei KamaraFWSeptember 1, 1984 (24)San Jose Earthquakes200810221Nate JaquaFWOctober 28, 1981 (27)SC Rheindorf Altach2008291025Brian ChingFWMay 24, 1978 (30)San Jose Earthquakes2006663199Guy-Roland KpeneFWNovember 23, 1983 (25)D.C. United200800

Player movement

In Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed. DatePlayerPositionAgePrevious clubNotesRefNovember 2007 Stephen WondolowskiDF22 San Jose FrogsSigned on a free transfer. Had been playing with the Dynamo reserve team in 2007. December 12, 2007 Bobby Boswell DF 24 D.C. United Acquired in exchange for Zach Wells and a conditional pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. January 18, 2008 Geoff Cameron MF 22 University of Rhode Island Selected with the 14th pick of the 3rd round (42nd overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. January 18, 2008 Jeremy Barlow MF 22 University of Virginia Selected with the 14th pick of the 4th round (56nd overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. January 24, 2008 Johnny Alcaraz MF 22 Westmont College Selected with the 14th pick of the 1st round in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft. January 24, 2008 Craig Thompson MF 22 Colorado School of Mines Selected with the 14th pick of the 2nd round (28th overall) in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft. January 24, 2008 Kieran Hall MF 22 Fort Lewis College Selected with the 14th pick of the 3rd round (42nd overall) in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft. Did not sign a contract with Houston. January 24, 2008 James Georgeff FW 24 University of Central Florida Selected with the 14th pick of the 4th round (56th overall) in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft.January 29, 2008 Tony CaigGK33 Gretna F.C.Signed on a free transfer February 27, 2008 Franco Caraccio FW 21 Arsenal de Sarandí Full rights purchased March 4, 2008 Kyle Brown FW 24 Real Salt Lake Selected in the 2008 MLS Waiver Draft March 18, 2008 Corbin Waller GK 22 College of Charleston Signed on a free transferMay 7, 2008 Guy-Roland KpeneFW24 D.C. UnitedSigned on a free transfer July 15, 2008 Nate Jaqua FW 26 SC Rheindorf Altach Signed on a free transferJuly 24, 2008 Kei KamaraFW23 San Jose EarthquakesAcquired in exchange for a 1st round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money.

Out Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed. DatePlayerPositionAgeDestination ClubNotesRefNovember 21, 2007 Ryan CochraneDF23 San Jose EarthquakesSelected in the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft.November 28, 2007 Jordan JamesGK25 Portland TimbersReleased after the 2007 season.November 28, 2007 Kenneth HoernerMF23RetiredReleased after the 2007 season.December 12, 2007 Zach Wells GK 26 D.C. United Traded along with a conditional pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft for Bobby Boswell.December 31, 2007 Joseph NgwenyaFW26 SK Austria KärntenContract expiredDecember 31, 2007 Nate JaquaFW26 SC Rheindorf AltachContract expired January 2008 Paul Dalglish FW 30 Kilmarnock F.C. Released after the 2007 season.March 20, 2008 Eric EbertMF23 Chivas USATraded to Chivas USA for a 1st round pick in the 2009 MLS Supplemental DraftMarch 23, 2008 Jeremy BarlowMF22 D.C. UnitedTraded to D.C. United for a 3rd round pick in the 2009 MLS Supplemental Draft June 30, 2008 Craig Thompson MF 22 D.C. United Traded to D.C. United for a 4th round pick in the 2010 MLS Supplemental Draft July 18, 2008 Franco Caraccio FW 21 All Boys Released July 29, 2008 James Georgeff FW 25 F.C. Arouca Released

Coaching staff +PositionNameHead coach Dominic KinnearAssistant coach John SpencerGoalkeeper coach Mike ToshackHead athletic trainer Theron EnnsAssistant athletic trainer Shane CaronTeam administrator Nick KowbaEquipment manager Beau Abdulla Source

Pre-season

Friendlies

Pan-Pacific Championship

Texas Pro Soccer Festival

Competitions

Major League Soccer

Standings

Western Conference

Overall

Results summary

Results by round

Match results

MLS Cup Playoffs

U.S. Open Cup

CONCACAF Champions' Cup

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

North American SuperLiga

TeamPtsPldWDLGFGAGD Houston Dynamo6320172+5 Atlante6320156−1 Guadalajara63201330 D.C. United0300348−4

CONCACAF Champions League

Group stage

ClubPldWDLGFGAGDPts UNAM6330187+1112 Houston Dynamo62319909 Luis Ángel Firpo622268−28 San Francisco6024413−92 HOULAFSFRUNAMHouston Dynamo–1–02–11–3Luis Ángel Firpo1–1–1–01–1San Francisco0–02–3–1–1UNAM4–43–06–0–

Championship round

After finishing 2nd in group B, the Dynamo qualified for the Championship Round. The fixtures for the Championship Round are included in the Dynamo's 2009 season.

Player statistics

Appearances, goals, and assists {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | |- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |- |1||GK||||align=left|||11||0||0||7||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||0 |- |2||DF||||align=left|||29||0||0||20||0||0||2||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0||1||0||0||3||0||0 |- |3||MF||||align=left|||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |4||DF||||align=left|||27||0||1||17||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||0||3||0||0||5||0||0 |- |5||FW||||align=left|||8||0||0||4||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||2||0||0 |- |6||MF||||align=left|||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||0 |- |7||FW||||align=left|||19||2||0||8||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||4||1||0||4||0||0||2||1||0 |- |8||MF||||align=left|||33||0||4||23||0||4||2||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||0 |- |9||MF||||align=left|||44||4||8||30||3||5||2||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0||5||1||2||4||0||1 |- |10||FW||||align=left|||19||6||2||10||2||2||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||1||0||5||2||0 |- |10||FW||||align=left|Left during the season||17||2||2||10||2||1||0||0||0||1||0||1||4||0||0||2||0||0||0||0||0 |- |11||MF||||align=left|||35||3||11||26||3||8||2||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||5||0||3||1||0||0 |- |13||MF||||align=left|||41||3||1||25||2||1||2||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||0||5||1||0||5||0||0 |- |14||MF||||align=left|||39||11||5||24||7||2||2||0||0||0||0||0||4||2||0||4||1||2||5||1||1 |- |16||DF||||align=left|||26||2||4||14||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0||5||0||1||4||2||0 |- |17||MF||||align=left|||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||3||0||0 |- |18||GK||||align=left|||38||0||0||24||0||0||2||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0||5||0||0||4||0||0 |- |19||MF||||align=left|||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0 |- |20||MF||||align=left|||36||1||5||23||1||2||1||0||0||1||0||0||2||0||0||5||0||2||4||0||1 |- |21||FW||||align=left|||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |22||MF||||align=left|||37||7||6||27||3||4||2||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||2||3||0||5||1||1 |- |23||MF||||align=left|||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0 |- |24||DF||||align=left|||41||0||1||26||0||0||2||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||0||5||0||1||4||0||0 |- |25||FW||||align=left|||35||14||7||25||13||5||2||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||0||2||0||2||2||1||0 |- |26||MF||||align=left|||39||2||4||22||1||1||1||0||0||1||0||0||4||0||1||5||1||0||6||0||2 |- |27||MF||||align=left|||23||5||4||14||4||4||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||1||0||5||0||0 |- |30||GK||||align=left|||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |32||DF||||align=left|||43||3||1||29||1||1||2||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0||5||2||0||4||0||0 |- |99||FW||||align=left|||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0

Disciplinary record

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" |Player ! colspan="2" |Total ! colspan="2" |MLS ! colspan="2" |Playoffs ! colspan="2" |U.S. Open Cup ! colspan="2" |Champions Cup ! colspan="2" |SuperLiga ! colspan="3" |Champions League |-