Cameron, Hainault, Taylor, Watson return from national duty: Three members of Houston’s heralded backline and regular starting midfielder Je‐Vaughn Watson have returned from national duty with their home countries after missing Sunday’s game against the Whitecaps. Geoff Cameron played the second half off USA’s 1‐1 draw at Guatemala on Tuesday. The center back also played 90 minutes in a friendly vs. Scotland on May 26. It was Cameron’s third national team call‐up. Andre Hainault was called into the Canadian men’s national team camp and played 90 minutes in a friendly vs. the U.S. and 90 minutes in both of Canada’s Olympic qualifiers against Cuba and Honduras to reach 28 caps. Watson started three matches for Jamaica, including a 2‐1 win over Guatemala and a 0‐0 draw vs. Antigua & Barbuda in a pair of qualifying matches. Taylor did not appear in any of the three games for Jamaica.
Dynamo host Valencia in BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup: The Dynamo welcomed Spanish giants Valencia to BBVA Compass Stadium on May 31, with Valencia capturing a 2‐1 win in the friendly. Dynamo midfielder Calen Carr produced a sensational individual goal in the 14th minute, dribbling pas several defenders from the touchline before unleashing a howling left‐footed strike from 25 yards into the far corner. Valencia forward Aritz Aduriz scored both goals for Valencia, which defeated Portland 1‐0 in the other game on its U.S. tour.
Champions League Draw: The Dynamo were drawn into Group 3 of the 2012‐2013 CONCACAF Champions League at the official draw held on June 5. Houston will face C.D. Olimpia of Honduras and C.D. FAS of El Salvador. The Dynamo qualified for the tournament by advancing to the 2011 MLS Cup Final. This is the fifth appearance for the Dynamo in the regional championship, including semifinal runs in the 2007 and 2008 Champions Cup tournaments. It is the first appearance for the Dynamo in Champions League since they advanced to the quarterfinals in 2008‐2009. Group play runs from July 31‐Oct. 25. Exact dates for group gamers have not been announced.
Ching reaches 200 MLS games: Brian Ching played in his 200th MLS games on Sunday at Vancouver.
Hainault hits 100 starts: Andre Hainault started against the Galaxy on May 26 for his 100th career start in all competitions for the Dynamo. He scored with a header in the 57th minute for his second game‐winner of the season.
Sellout streak hits five: Today’s match against FC Dallas is sold out. The Dynamo have sold out all five home games at BBVA Compass Stadium, including the May 31 friendly with Valencia. The attendance has been 22,039 at all four home games in 2012.
75 assists for Davis: Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis recorded his 75th assist for the Dynamo in all competitions with his corner kick that Andre Hainault headed into the net for the winning goal vs. the Galaxy on May 26. Davis is Houston’s all‐ time leader in assists.
Ching now tied for third on Dynamo games played list: Ching has appeared in 136 MLS regular season games with the Dynamo and is now tied with Brian Mullan and Pat Onstad for third on Houston’s all‐time list.
Ching climbing assist chart: Ching has 18 MLS regular season assists with the Dynamo. With his next assist, he will tie Brian Mullan for second on the Dynamo all‐time list.
First Comeback Win: The Dynamo recorded a 2‐1 win on May 26 over the LA Galaxy for their first come‐from‐behind win of the season. Prior to the Galaxy game the Dynamo were 0‐3‐1 on the season when allowing the first goal of the game.
East Coast Bias: After today’s match with FC Dallas, the Dynamo will play their next 14 games against teams in the Eastern Conference. Houston is 1‐2‐3 vs. the Eastern Conference, but five of those six games were played on the road. The next time the Dynamo face a team from the Western Conference is Sept. 6, when they host Real Salt Lake.