News that kicked off 2020
Soccer Report: Dynamo sign Academy prodigy, Dash trade Ohai, Ronaldo scores hat-trick
Jan 7, 2020, 6:52 am
Credit: Houston Dynamo
"The Beautiful Game" never sleeps and that was the case to kick off the new year. The Premier League took the spotlight with New Year's Day action followed by the return of La Liga and Serie A from the holiday break.
Domestically, transfer news continue to dominate the radar in Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League. The 2020 MLS SuperDraft (college draft) will take place on Thursday.
Here are the top stories of the weekend:
Houston Dynamo sign Homegrown Marcelo Palomino
Reported first by Glenn Davis, the Dynamo made the signing of Academy product Marcelo Palomino official on Monday. The midfielder joined the club's youth system as an 11-year-old in 2012 and was part of the U.S. Youth National Team pool from Under-14 to Under-19, crossing paths with current Dynamo Head Coach Tab Ramos.
The three-time Dynamo Academy Player of the Year left the club over a year ago, despite having a contract offer from the Dynamo, and went on to trials in Portugal and Germany. Most recently, he was playing in Houston with the USL2 side Albion Hurricanes FC who are coached by former MLS midfielder Josh Gardner.
Signing Palomino is a win for a club that has a reputation of not producing enough professional players in a city fervent with a soccer culture. It would appear, at least on the surface, that the hiring of Ramos was the ultimate convincing factor for the player to put pen to paper.
Liga MX GKĀ William Yarbrough no longer a target for Dynamo
@samstejskal @PaulTenorio Marko MariÄ is @HoustonDynamoās starting GK for 2020. Yarbrough is no longer a target.ā¦ https://t.co/VIPKUvZPVLā Lester GrƶtschšØšš©šŖšØš· (@Lester GrƶtschšØšš©šŖšØš·) 1578086479.0
The Dynamo are no longer interested in acquiring two-time Liga MX champion and former U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper William Yarbrough, as reported by KXLN's Lester Gretsch. After failing to agree on a transfer fee for the Mexican-born keeper, the Dynamo went on to sign the Austrian-Croatian Marko Maric. The Dynamo will reportedly sign a goalkeeper in the coming weeks, according to The Athletic.
Houston Dash trade Kealia Ohai to Chicago Red Stars forĀ defender Katie Naughton
Kealia Ohai will depart after six seasons with the Houston Dash, reportedly requesting a trade. Ohai was the club's first ever draft pick and went on to score 28 goals in 114 appearances.
"My goal is to become the very best player I could possibly be and I feel like, in order for that to happen, I need a new environment," said Ohai via her social media accounts.
Chicago Red Stars made the NWSL Playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and finished 2019 as the runners-up. The Houston Dash have never made the playoffs in their six seasons.
Dash re-sign goalscorer, FIFA Women's World Cup participant Rachel Daly
Confirmed by @HoustonDash Manager James Clarkson: š“ó §ó ¢ó „ó ®ó §ó æ @RachelDaly3 has re-signed with the club for the 2020ā¦ https://t.co/Zw1GbPIzAjā #SoccerMatters (@#SoccerMatters) 1578012965.0
Some good news for Dash fans is the re-signing of FIFA Women's World Cup veteran Rachel Daly. Since arriving in 2016, Daly has scored 24 goals in 80 matches. The Englishwoman represented her home country at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the Lionesses finished as semifinalists.
The news was announced by Head Coach James Clarkson last Thursday during a fan event hosted by Keeper Notes at Pitch 25. An official announcement from the club is imminent.
Premier League
The congested scheduling continues in the Premier League as teams opened 2020 with New Year's Day action. While the league took a break over the weekend, English clubs took were active in FA Cup action.
Top six: 1. Liverpool (58), 2. Leicester City (45), 3. Man City (44), 4. Chelsea (36), 5. Man Utd (31), 6. Tottenham (30)
Bottom three (relegation): 18. Bournemouth (20), 19. Watford (19), 20. Norwich City (14)
Scoring leader: 17 - Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Assists leader: 12 - Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
La Liga
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are once again tied at the top after RCD Espanyol took a 2-2 result in the Barcelona derby.
Top six: 1. FC Barcelona (40), 2. Real Madrid (40), 3. Atletico Madrid (35), 4. Sevilla (35), 5. Real Sociedad (31), 6. Valencia (31)
Bottom three: 18. Mallorca (15), 19. Leganes (14), 20. Espanyol (11)
Scoring leader: 13 - Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Assists leader: 7 - Luis Suarez (FC Barcelona)
Italian Serie A
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to lead defending champions Juventus to a 4-0 win against Cagliari. Inter Milan, who picked up a 3-1 win at Napoli, remain at the top of the standings due to goal difference.
Top six: 1. Inter Milan (45), 2. Juventus (45), 3. Lazio (39), 4. Roma (35), 5. Atalanta (34), 6. Cagliari (29)
Bottom three: 18. Brescia (14), 19. Genoa (14), 20. SPAL (12)
Scoring leader: 19 - Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
Assists leader: 11 - Luis Alberto (Lazio)Zlatan debuts in A.C. Milan return
š£ Here's what Zlatan had to say on the #MilanSampdoria draw Watch more of his interview on our App:ā¦ https://t.co/9khkOdVKWkā AC Milan (@AC Milan) 1578335350.0
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was back on the pitch for the first time since his final appearance with LA Galaxy in Houston last October. The Swede came on as a substitute but could not help Milan to a win in his debut. Milan and Sampdoria played to a scoreless draw at the San Siro.
2006 FIFA World Cup Winner Daniele De Rossi retires
š£ Daniele De Rossi: āI played for two clubs that I love. "One was always the love of my life [Roma], the other enā¦ https://t.co/GounSqOzUWā Goal (@Goal) 1578355037.0
Roma Legend De Rossi has called time on his career after a short stint in Argentina with Boca Juniors. The Italian midfielder hangs up his boots at the age of 36 with a decorated career that includes winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
2010 FIFA World Cup Winner David Villa retires
David Villa played his final game as a professional footballer today. He signed off with another trophy š https://t.co/iHyYXiPB56ā ESPN FC (@ESPN FC) 1577907016.0
Spanish Legend David Villa, arguably the greatest striker produced by his country, also played has called time on his career. El Guaje left in style by picking up his 15th professional trophy after winning the Emperor's Cup with Japan's Vissel Kobe. Villa won the FIFA World Cup and EURO 2008 with Spain. At the club level, he won three La Liga titles, three Copa Del Rey titles and one UEFA Champions League.
Throwback moment: Dynamo Head Coach Tab Ramos reflects on being first MLS signing
January 3rd marked 25 years since Houston Dynamo Manager Tab Ramos became the first ever signing in Major League Soccer history. Attached is a clip of his thoughts on the matter, the full interview with Glenn Davis can be seen here.
Ratings bit: Liga MX final draws top spot
Top most-watched soccer games on U.S. TV for December 16th-29th. Via @worldsoccertalk https://t.co/qExxGMowvBā¦ https://t.co/12tJAuhwXLā Cesar Hernandez (@Cesar Hernandez) 1578287713.0
TV listings (All Times CT):
For full info on soccer TV listings and streaming services in the United States, visit worldsoccertalk.com
Tuesday, January 7
2:00 p.m. - [English League Cup] Manchester United vs. Manchester City (ESPN+)
Wednesday, January 8
1:00 p.m. - [Spanish Supercopa] Real Madrid vs. Valencia (ESPN Deportes)
2:00 p.m. - [English League Cup] Leicester City vs. Aston Villa (ESPN+)
2:00 p.m. - [Coupe de la Ligue] PSG vs. St-Etienne (beINSports)
Thursday, January 9
11:00 a.m. - 2020 MLS SuperDraft (Twitter)
1:00 p.m. - [Spanish Supercopa] FC Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid (ESPN Deportes)
2:00 p.m. - [Coppa Italia] Torino vs. Genoa (ESPN+)
Friday, January 10
1:45 p.m. - [Ligue 1] Rennes vs. Marseille (beIN Sports)
2:00 p.m. - [Premier League] Sheffield United vs. West Ham (NBC Sports)
9:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Monarcas Morelia vs. Toluca (TUDN)
9:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Tijuana vs. Santos Laguna (FOX Deportes)
Saturday, January 11
6:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal (NBC Sports)
8:00 a.m. - [Serie A] Cagliari vs. AC Milan (ESPN+)
9:00 a.m. - [Premier League] Chelsea vs. Burnley (NBC Sports)
11:00 a.m. - [Serie A] Lazio vs. Napoli (ESPN+)
11:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Tottenham vs. Liverpool (NBC)
1:45 p.m. - [Serie A] Inter Milan vs. Atalanta (ESPN+)
5:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Cruz Azul vs. Atlas (TUDN)
7:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Guadalajara vs. FC Juarez (TUDN)
Sunday, January 12
8:00 a.m. - [Premier League] Bournemouth vs. Watford (NBC Sports)
10:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Aston Villa vs. Man City (NBC Sports)
11:30 a.m. - [Spanish Supercopa] Real Madrid vs. Valencia vs. FC Barcelona/Atletico Madrid (ESPN Deportes)
1:45 p.m. - [Serie A] Roma vs. Juventus (ESPN+)
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Astros keep doing this, and itās getting hard to ignore
Jun 25, 2025, 10:01 pm
While the rolling Astros have a week of possible World Series preview matchups against the Phillies and Cubs, itās the Rockets who made the biggest local sports headline with their acquisition of Kevin Durant. What a move! Of course there is risk involved in trading for a guy soon to turn 37 years old and who carries an injury history, but balancing risk vs. reward is a part of the game. This is a fabulous move for the Rockets. Itās understood that there are dissenters to this view. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, including people with the wrong opinion! Letās dig in.
The Rockets had a wonderful season in winning 52 games before their disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Warriors, but like everyone else in the Western Conference, they were nowhere close to Oklahoma Cityās caliber. While they finished second in the West, the Rockets only finished four games ahead of the play-in. That letting the stew simmer with further growth among their young players would yield true championship contention was no given for 2025-26 or beyond.
Kevin Durant is one of the 10 greatest offensive players the NBA has ever seen. Among his current contemporaries only Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic make that list. For instance, Durant offensively has clearly been better than the late and legendary Kobe Bryant. To view it from a Houston perspective, Durant has been an indisputably greater offensive force than the amazing Hakeem Olajuwon. But this is not a nostalgia trip in which the Rockets are trading for a guy based on what he used to be. While Durant could hit the wall at any point, living in fear that itās about to happen is no way to live because KD, approaching his 18th NBA season, is still an elite offensive player.
As to the durability concern, Durant played more games (62) this past season than did Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith, and Tari Eason. The season before he played more games (75) than did VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Alperen Sengun. In each of the last two seasons Durant averaged more minutes per game (36.9) than any Rocket. That was stupid and/or desperate of the Suns, the Rockets will be smarter. Not that the workload eroded Durantās production or efficiency. Over the two seasons he averaged almost 27 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor, 42 percent from behind the three-point line, and 85 percent from the free throw line. Awesomeness. The Rockets made the leap to being a very good team despite a frankly crummy half-court offense. The Rockets ranked 21st among the 30 NBA teams in three-point percentage, and dead last in free throw percentage. Amen Thompson has an array of skills and looks poised to be a unique star. Alas, Thompson has no credible jump shot. VanVleet is not a creator, Smith has limited handle. Adding Durant directly addresses the Rocketsā most glaring weakness.
The price the Rockets paid was in the big picture, minimal, unless you think Jalen Green is going to become a bonafide star. Green is still just 23 years old and spectacular athletically, but nothing he has done over four pro seasons suggests heās on the cusp of greatness. In no season has Green even shot the league average from the floor or from three. His defense has never been as good as it should be given his athleticism. Compared to some other two-guards who made the NBA move one year removed from high school, four seasons into his career Green is waaaaaay behind where Shae Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker were four seasons in, and now well behind his draft classmate Cade Cunningham. Dillon Brooks was a solid pro in two seasons here and shot a career-best from three in 2024-2025, but heās being replaced by Kevin Durant! In terms of the draft pick capital sent to Phoenix, five second round picks are essentially meaningless. The Rockets have multiple extra first round picks in the coming years. As for the sole first-rounder dealt away, whichever player the Rockets would have taken 10th Wednesday night would have been rather unlikely to crack the playing rotation.
VanVleet signs extension
Re-signing Fred VanVleet to a two-year, 50 million dollar guarantee is sensible. In a vacuum, VanVleet was substantially overpaid at the over 40 mil he made per season the last two. Heās a middle-of-the-pack starting point guard. But his professionalism and headiness brought major value to the Rocketsā kiddie corps while their payroll was otherwise very low. Ideally, Reed Sheppard makes a leap to look like an NBA lead guard in his second season, after a pretty much zippo of a rookie campaign. Sheppard is supposed to be a lights-out shooter. For the Rockets to max out, they need two sharpshooters on the court to balance Thompsonās presence.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold āStros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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