Dynamo Open New Stadium the Right Way

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Created on Sunday, 13 May 2012 01:30

Last Updated on Monday, 20 May 2013 09:38

Written by Travis Pulver

It was a long time coming for soccer fans in the City of Houston. Since the city gained a MLS franchise in 2006 (from San Jose) they had been forced to watch the home town team play in a rather old and run down stadium; definitely not something befitting a club that won back to back MLS championships in 2006 and ’07.

As of Saturday they will never have to play in the old, run-down stadium ever again. After spending the first two months of the 2012 season on the road (and accumulating a record of 2-3-2 along the way) the Houston Dynamo finally had a home game in their brand new stadium.

BBVA Compass Stadium, a $95 million complex built specifically for soccer, is the 15th team in the league to open its own stadium and sixth since 2010. Opening new, soccer-specific stadiums is something that the league knows it must do if it is going to overtake and of the other professional sports leagues in popularity.

“We call ourselves a major league; we need to be major league,” Dynamo President Chris Canetti said. “Having your own stadium is major league…this place makes a very strong statement about the credibility of the brand and the relevance of the team.”  

After failing to notch a win in the team’s last five games the Dynamo needed a win to get the season back on track. A solid D.C. United team was not going to make it easy for the Orange Crush either.

''I wanted to win the game,'' Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. ''It's not often you get to open up the stadium, and the place is sold out, and there is so much activity around. You want to give the fans what they are coming here for…”

The Dynamo was able to do just that. In the 67th minute of the match, long-time veteran Brad Davis gave the capacity crowd of 22,039 something to cheer about with the first goal to ever be scored in the team’s new home.

''I was in a bit of awe,'' Davis said. ''You're focused in the game, but it was one of those days where you are in awe and you want to soak it all in.''

Even though the D.C. United had been one of the most prolific scoring team in the league so far this season (tied at 2nd with 20 goals), but on Saturday the Dynamo were not going to be denied. The Dynamo dominated the second half with kicks on goal while only allowing D.C. one.

Davis’s goal ended up being the lone goal of the game giving the Dynamo a 1-0 win in their new home; and a home sweet home it is.