Good morning all. I’m coming to you from Houston, where the US-Mexico rivalry is set to play its latest installment.
I made my way to Robertson Stadium on Monday for U.S. national team practice and couldn’t help but feel like it was a MetroStars reunion. Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Ramiro Corrales and Brad Davis were all in the house, along with current Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore. Throw in head coach Bob Bradley and assistant coach Mike Sorber and I kept waiting for Charlie Stillitano to show up.
The line of the day came from Michael Bradley, who tried to be humble when he said, "if I play on Wednesday." As I wrote in today’s Herald News, Hugo Sanchez has a better chance of shaving his head than Michael Bradley does of not starting.
Here are some other tidbits from Monday’s training session:
Eddie Lewis stated that he plans to play out his current contract with Derby, meaning he won’t return to MLS until summer of 2009. I also got the impression from Lewis that Benny Feilhaber plans on staying at Derby.
Ramiro Corrales was a popular interview subject today, mainly because of his Mexican heritage and ability to speak Spanish. He danced around a question about what team he will play for now that he has signed with MLS. My money is on Corrales winding up with San Jose.
Bob Bradley wasn’t biting on questions about Mexico’s seeming lack of respect for the United States. Some of the Mexican media hasn’t caught on yet to Bradley’s ability to avoid controversial comments. I think they’re still adjusting to life after Bruce Arena.
Ricardo Clark was in good spirits and admitted that he still hears his share of kick jokes. No word yet on whether Clark actually took up karate while he served his suspension for kicking Carlos Ruiz.
My column in today’s Herald News is not on the paper’s website yet but here’s hoping it gets put up soon so I can give you a link to it. I wrote about the young stars who will be making their debuts in the rivalry on Wednesday. Michael Bradley, Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore for the USA and Giovani Dos Santos and Carlos Vela. Yes, I know there are a bunch of other players making their debuts in this series but that’s the five I focused on (in retrospect I should have included Guillermo Ochoa for Mexico.)
I will ask SBI Mafia members in Houston to help me out with some things to see and places to go in Houston. Email me at soccerbyives@gmail.com with your suggestions. I’m hoping to actually see some of the city this time around, unlike the last time I was here, back in 2003.
That’s all for now. I will be attending Mexico and United States practices today and will be checking in with updates throughout the day so stay tuned.
Michael Bradley already has played against Mexico.
to eddie lewis’ comment on Benny: I hope you told him to pass along the message that he shouldn’t catch even the slightest whiff of Nat’s duty so long as he’s on the bench at Derby.
Feilhaber has no business being on any national team call ups right now.
Papasito’s? Ugh! That’s just a step up from Taco Cabana and triple the price. For decent Mexican/Tex-Mex near town, try Pico’s (Bellaire & Hillcroft), Chacho’s (Westheimer & Fountainview; 24 hrs), Chuy’s (Westheimer & Kirby), maybe Ninfa’s (Richmond & Kirby) or any number of places. What Houston lacks in Culture, it makes up for in food (and waistlines).
For the best Tex-Mex, I recommend Molina’s — possibly my favorite food in the entire planet. Get the Tacos Al Carbon with Jose’s dip. They’re on Buffalo Speedway near Rice Village, and another location out Westheimer (near Fondren).
If you want to see Houston, and you want a steak, I suggest eating at, The Taste of Texas. It’s on the far west side of Houston, right off of 10. I had the best steak of my life two years ago when I drove through on my way to Orlando.
If you’re looking for Tex-Mex and go to Papasito’s, you’re a jackass. It’s TGI Friday’s with Mexican food- bland, boring, crappy food. Go to Pico’s, Bellaire at Hillcroft, and order fajitas. You won’t regret it. The Papasito’s guy did hit the nail on the head with Demeris BBQ, though, that place rules.
Don’t go to “Treasures”. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0128081houston1.html
Go to and from your Hotel room. Houston is a pit. And don’t take too many deep breaths. The air their smells like the exhaust from a 76′ Pinto
Hey Ives can you post some sort of schedule about what your planning on doing here the next couple days. It would be fantastic to get to meet you. Go Dynamo!!!
If you want to eat at a fancy restaurant try Marks American cusine on westheimer inside 610.
All the soccer fans gathering places will be in West University before and after the game at two places about 100 feet from each other. Goode Company BBQ is a must-eat place on Kirby and Bissonet – very down home honky tonk style. Houston has a great art museum too.
FINAL PRE/POST GAME PLANS (U.S. FANS):
Pre-game will be @ Ginger Man @ 2pm.
Post-game will be @ Brian O’Niell’s.
Those traveling to Houstank – these bars are within an Agoos clearance of each other – there’s a parking garage across the street from both bars (I don’t know the fee). U.S. fans could meet up pre-game at Ginger Man and carpool to game and then return to same area for post-game next door at Brian O’Niell’s.
Anyone wanting to meet up Tues or Thurs Night should head over to the Mezzanine Lounge, a proud supporter of the Texian Army.
Ginger Man http://Houstank.gingermanpub.com
5607 Morningside Dr Houstank, TX 77005 Ph: 713-526-2770
Brian O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Restaurant http://www.brianoneills.com
5555 Morningside Drive Houstank, TX 77005 Ph: 713-522-2603
As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
In your case Ives, you’re in Texas, which means Tex-Mex dining is a must, and I think Nathan hit the nail on the head with the Pappasito’s recommendation.
For a good Texan meal, try Demeris BBQ at Shepherd and W. Alabama; or, if in the mood for Tex-Mex, hit up the Pappasito’s at Richmond and Kirby for the best fajitas you’ll probably ever have.
Unfortunately, Houston’s not really known for its attractive sites (it’s all about the people, man!), but recent work on Main St. in downtown has pedestrianized it more than it used to be.
The true Houston experience would involve driving 30 minutes in bad traffic to a suburb full of chain restaurants and malls, but that’s not actually a *nice* experience. Stick with downtown, the Galleria area, or the Rice Village area.
Nathan
Midtown is where all the yuppies live and go out. You’ll see some serious talent on display if you head out for happy hour down there.
So what do you think Houston gets in compensation for Corrales’ rights if he goes to San Jose? Or do you think the league pulls a “we don’t care” about his rights and breaks it’s own rules again?
As for what to do in Houston… I like going to the museum district (especially the Museum of Natural Science), but that’s not for everybody. Just across the street is a nice park. There’s the space center in Clear Lake – expect traffic to be bad around rush hour.
Steve and Jordan–
You could not be any more right. Great comparison to BB and the Vest. As for the game, I cannot wait! It may keep me from studying for a few hours tomorrow night. Enjoy Houston Ives!
Welcome to our fair city Ives! Tomorrow night is going to be a blast! As for things to do, what are you looking for? Clubs? Bars? Places to see?
Steve he is very similar to tressel. Lets get him a vest and start reffering to the team as our “young people” and we will be set. They both dominate their rival as well lol
The US team is training at Reliant Stadium this afternoon but I believe it’s closed to the public. Mexico is practicing this morning from 10:30am to 11:30am at Reliant Park. I’m not sure if that one is closed or not.
Ives,
Is this game sold out? Also are they going to be using the new ugly jerseys for this game?
Big East,
I haven’t played in either league, but I would think the primary factor deciding the final position of a MLS All-Star squad in the BPL would depend on squad depth.
I’d say anywhere from 5th-20th is possible.
pleaces to go in houston. you can go to the famous galleria, nice place up scale mall and probably see a mexican player shopping there. they alway go to the galleria when they come to town. its on 610 and westheimer can’t miss it. as far as partying try downtown you find the classy but slutty chicks there anywhere else, they aren’t too classy, maybe you can call them ghetto. aahhhh houston!
Ives, is UMNT practicing today as well at Robertson Stadium? If so what time and can we the fans attend?
wow, talking about a metros/red bull reunion and you DONT take that chance to run the picture of guevara? cant believe it 😉
I know some of the readers on here are from the Ohio/Columbus area.
Do you guys see the similarities in handling the media; Tressel and Bob Bradley. They always say the “safe” things, no bulletin board material, good coaches. Just noticed that.
Seem like a fairly dumb question but will you ask a EPL player how they think a club consisting of MLS All-Stars would fair throughout the length of a season in England.
I really would like for this contested question to be answered by someone who has actually played recently in both leagues.