In Episode 9 of our podcast, we talk with Yahoo! Sports Martin Rogers to preview the MLS Cup Final between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo. Martin (@mrogersyahoo on twitter) also gives his thoughts on David Beckham’s future and whether he’ll return to MLS or play in Europe. You can listen to the episode at the embedded player below as well as past episodes are at http://the90thminute.libsyn.com

The 90th Minute Podcast – Episode 9 Featuring Martin Rogers

The 90th Minute Podcast – Episode 9 – Martin Rogers Previews 2011 MLS Cup Final - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Former Houston Dynamo midfielder, Stuart Holden, has signed a three year contract extension with Bolton Wanderers. Holdon, who joined Bolton last winter after his contract ended with the Dynamo, has done well this season with starts in every EPL match. He’s shown a clear ability to play in the Premiership and manager Owen Coyle has been impressed with the American.

Below are a few quotes along with statements from the official Bolton website on the move.

(from Bolton’s website)

Stuart Holden has committed his long-term future to Bolton Wanderers by signing a new contract at the club, one which will keep the midfielder at the Reebok Stadium until the summer of 2013.

(Bolton manager Owen Coyle)

“We’re delighted that he’s signed a contract with us, Stuart has been a breath of fresh air since he’s come in.”

“He did terrifically last season and has started this campaign really well. To now have him signed until 2013 tells you how committed Stuart is to the club. It also goes to show how committed the club are to Stuart.”

“He’s just got back from the World Cup, is a USA international and I believe he’s going to get better and better.”

“The fans love him and it sends out a message to everyone that this is a club looking to keep its best players.”

(Stuart Holden quotes)

“I’m really excited because I love being at the club. I couldn’t ask to be around better fans, management staff and players.”

“I was given an opportunity by the manager to show that I can play at this level and I’m extremely grateful for that. The confidence that he has shown in me has really allowed me to push on.”

“I had a bit of a setback with the injury last season, but that made me more determined to make an impact when I came back for pre-season.”

“I’ve had a good start to this campaign and I’m looking forward to continuing playing and helping Bolton as much as I possibly can.

“Everybody was so welcoming when I first came to the club, which made the transition a lot easier than it could have been.”

“I feel that I have fitted in well and because I’m comfortable in my surroundings and where I live then I think that has shown in my football.”

“I think the gaffer has brought a confidence to the club and a belief that we can play against the top teams in the Premier League.”

“With the players that he has brought in and the players that were here already then I believe that we can do special things in the coming seasons.”

“There are Bolton shirts all over the United States, especially back in Houston.”

“I want to continue to raise the club’s profile and hopefully we can become one of the most supported teams over in the US.”

Americans Abroad: Stuart Holden Signs Three Year Contract Extension With Bolton - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The SuperLiga, a competition between Mexican Primera Division and Major League Soccer, will kick off its 2010 edition this week. It has two groups of four teams with the top teams advancing to the semifinals and eventually a final. The tournament will feature the teams who finish in the middle of the standings for both leagues. The full group stage schedule is below along with TV listings and predictions.

2010 SuperLiga Group Stage Schedule, Predictions, and TV Listings

2010 SuperLiga Group Stage Schedule, Predictions, And TV Listings - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Toronto FC looked to continue their unbeaten streak at BMO Field during the 2010 MLS season alive as they hosted the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo have struggled to start the season and largely because of several injuries to key players. TFC has yet to make the playoffs since joining the league in 2007 but are on pace to change that this season. It was also Canada Day in Toronto.

Toronto FC 1-1 Houston Dynamo Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Toronto FC 1-1 Houston Dynamo Recap

It was a match that started off quiet but would get physical and open up in the second half.

Neither team had too many chances in the first half as the match lacked a spark. In the second half things would pick up as there were several yellow cards and a few red cards. The turning point came in the 62nd minute when Julian De Guzman and Joseph Ngwenya were each given red cards. After a stoppage of play, both players were pushing and shoving. It was completely unnecessary and both were sent off.

With the match now 10 v 10 both teams had several chances. The Dynamo would strike first with a Brian Ching header in the 73rd minute but wouldn’t be able to hold onto that 1-0 lead. TFC would level the match with a Dan Gargan header in the 83rd minute to make it 1-1.

Neither team would score in the final minutes and TFC remains unbeaten at home in the 2010 MLS season.

Toronto FC 1-1 Houston Dynamo – Video Highlights, Recap, & Match Stats – MLS – 1 July 2010 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

It’s a midweek match in Major League Soccer as Toronto FC looks to remain unbeaten at home as they host the Houston Dynamo. The match will take place at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario (Canada) on Thursday, July 1, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 19:00 EST (local time in Toronto) and 20:00 local time in Houston.

It will be televised on ESPN 2 & ESPN Deportes in the United States and on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

Toronto FC v Houston Dynamo Preview

TFC are unbeaten at home (4-2-0) and can move within three points of 2nd place NY Red Bulls with a win on Thursday. Overall, they have not lost since May 1st and not conceded a goal in their last two matches. Defensively, the Toronto is much improved and first year manager Preki is starting to make his mark on the club. Their is a lot of optimism that this is the year that Toronto will make the playoffs.

The Houston Dynamo are one of the most consistent teams in MLS but have struggled this season. They are 1-1-4 in away matches and have lost their last 3 of 4. The Dynamo are the third highest scoring team in the league but also the third worst defensive side. The main reason for their -1 goal difference is only 6 goals scored in away matches but 12 goals conceded.

Both sides are possible playoff sides in the fall. The main scoring threats will be Dwayne De Rosario for TFC and Brian Ching for the Dynamo. While the MLS is known to be a league in which the teams arey very even, TFC has proven to be a very solid team at home and should get the three points.

Betting Odds

Houston Dynamo win – 9/4

Draw – 9/4

Toronto FC win – even

Toronto FC v Houston Dynamo Prediction

Toronto FC will win the match 2-0.

Watch Toronto FC v Houston Dynamo Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.

Toronto FC v Houston Dynamo Preview, Prediction, and TV Listings - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Major League Soccer had one match on Thursday, May 13, 2010 as Real Salt Lake hosted the Houston Dynamo. RSL has been on an unbeaten streak at Rio Tinto Stadium but the Dynamo are one of the most consistent franchises. A win for Real Salt Lake would put them into 2nd place in the Western Conference while the Dynamo would move closer to the 1st place LA Galaxy with any result.

Real Salt Lake 3-1 Houston Dynamo – Video Highlights

Real Salt Lake scored early and cruised to a 3-1 victory.

The home side would take the lead in the 3rd minute as Robbie Findley headed a Kyle Beckerman cross into the back of the net. Alvaro Saborio would score the next two goals, one in the 24th minute and one in the 60th minute, to give RSL a 3-0 lead.

Houston would get one back in the 72nd minute as Brian Mullan scored but it would not be enough. The win puts RSL into 2nd place in the Western Conference and level on points with the Dynamo (who are now in 3rd).

Scoring:

RSL — Robbie Findley 1 (Kyle Beckerman 2) 3

RSL — Alvaro Saborio 3 (Javier Morales 3) 24

RSL — Alvaro Saborio 4 (Javier Morales 4) 60

HOU — Brian Mullan 2 (Brad Davis 4) 72

Lineups:

Real Salt Lake (4-3-1) — Nick Rimando, Robbie Russell, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert, Andy Williams (Jean Alexandre 69), Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Will Johnson, Alvaro Saborio (Pablo Campos 79), Robbie Findley (Collen Warner 88).

Houston Dynamo (4-4-1) — Pat Onstad, Craig Waibel (Brian Ching 62), Bobby Boswell, Adrian Serioux, Mike Chabala, Brian Mullan, Richard Mulrooney, Brad Davis, Lovel Palmer (Danny Cruz 46), Corey Ashe (Andrew Hainault 68), Dominic Oduro.

Discipline:

RSL — Nat Borchers (caution; Tactical Foul) 26

HOU — Mike Chabala (caution; Tactical Foul) 33

HOU — Bobby Boswell (caution; Tactical Foul) 77

Referee: Alex Prus

Referee’s Assistants: Peter Balciunas; Jeff Hosking

4th Official: Paul Ward

Attendance: 12,945

Time of Game: 1:51

Weather: Cloudy-and-58-degrees

Real Salt Lake 3-1 Houston Dynamo – Video Highlights and Recap – MLS – 13 May 2010 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Two of the favorites in the Western Conference meet as the Houston Dynamo host the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. The match will take place at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:30 EST or 7:30 PM local Houston time. It will be televised on Fox Sports West in LA and on KHOU 11.2 in Houston. You can also watch the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Galaxy Preview

Both teams have had strong starts, especially the Galaxy who are 2-0-0. The Galaxy picked up where they left off last season and look like an MLS Cup contender. This is without David Beckham, who still remains one of the best midfielders in MLS when he’s playing. LA is led by Landon Donovan and striker Edson Buddle.

Buddle has scored all three of the Galaxy’s goals while Donovan has two assists. Donovan has continued his form showed at Everton and is clearly one of the best players in the league. The Dynamo lost two midfielders in the offseason, Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark, but have rebuilt their roster. Houston has been the model of consistency in MLS and has placed second or higher in the Western Conference in their first four seasons (2006-2009).

The Dynamo will be without lead striker Brian Ching and will have to rely on other players to step up. One of the rising stars in the league is the Dynamo’s Geoff Cameron, who was named to the MLS Best XI for 2009. The battle in the midfield between Cameron and Donovan will be key.

It should be a very even match between two of the better teams in MLS. A draw seems likely.

Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Galaxy Prediction

The match will end in a 1-1 draw.

Watch Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Galaxy Online

You can watch the match live and online for free on Free Live Sports TV.

Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Galaxy Preview, Prediction, and TV Listings - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

American Stuart Holden, who was injured in a friendly match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, will be out at least six weeks with a broken fibula. The injury came when  he was going for a ball and was caught by a Nigel De Jong tackle. After the tackle, Holden had to be taken off because of an injury. Early reports were that it wasn’t a serious injury but x-rays later revealed the fracture.

Video of Stuart Holden injury

It’s disappointing news for Holden who was starting to fit in well for Bolton Wanderers and could have used the experience to prepare for South Africa. Holden should be back in April sometime which give him a chance to play in a few EPL matches. The injury is another for the USA National Team but manager Bob Bradley should have everyone healthy by June. Below are an excerpt from the story on Bolton Wanderers website.

Stuart Holden breaks fibula; out at least six weeks – (from the official Bolton website – http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/Home/)

STUART HOLDEN is facing a spell of up to six weeks on the sidelines after picking up an injury whilst on international duty.

The midfielder suffered a fracture in his leg during the United States’ friendly against Holland in Amsterdam on Wednesday evening.

Wanderers Manager Owen Coyle said: “It’s disappointing for Stuart because he has come into the team and done ever so well.

“He’s a very good player, an international player, and he has shown a real hunger and desire to do well for our football club.

“In both games against Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves everybody saw the quality that he has so it is a blow, but the most important thing is that he returns bigger and better.”

Stuart Holden out for at least six weeks with fractured fibula – Recap and Video - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

American and former Major League Soccer star Stuart Holden started his second consecutive match for Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, February 27, 2010. In the match, Bolton defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 and moved up a few spots. They are currently in a battle to avoid relegation and will need to continue to get results to stay up. Video highlights of the match can be found here.

Holden played in the midfield and helped to provide service to the strikers. His strength is his ability to set up other players and send crosses into the box. Even though he’s only played in his second match, Holden took many of the corners and free kicks in the match. He didn’t have any goals or assists. The lone goal for Bolton was after a corner but Holden was not directly involved.

While Holden has not scored or had any assists in his first two matches, he is showing that he’s capable of playing at the Premier League level. His performance in the last two matches should keep him in the starting lineup or at least some playing time as a second half substitute. If Holden continues to get playing time, he could be looking at a starting lineup for the USA at South Africa. The American will be on the roster for the United States in a friendly against the Netherlands on next Wednesday.

Stuart Holden Stats for Bolton against Wolves

Stuart Holden plays full match for Bolton in their 1-0 against Wolves - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

American Stuart Holden has finally made his debut for Bolton Wanderers as he played the full match in their English Football Association (FA) Cup 5th round replay. Unfortunately they lost the match 0-4 at Tottenham Hotspur. He played in the midfield and used his ability to cross to provide service for the forwards. He sent a great free kick into the box in the second half but the finish on the other end wasn’t there.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad start for Holden even though his team lost. He showed his ability to send crosses into the box and setup teammates but the forwards/striker on the team couldn’t convert any of their chances. Holden got a start largely because manager Owen Coyle rested many of the regular starters ahead of the Premier League match against Wolves on the weekend.

Holden should get a chance in the next few matches to prove himself in the EPL but probably as a second half substitute. The American has excelled in MLS (for the Houston Dynamo) but will have to earn regular playing time in a club that is trying to avoid relegation. He also needs playing time to assure his spot in the World Cup roster and to have a shot at a spot in the starting line-up.

Stuart Holden Stats for first match for Bolton Wanderers

Stuart Holden plays first match for Bolton Wanderers (0-4 loss in FA Cup to Tottenham) - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog