Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo: Three Questions

We asked three questions to Zach Woosley of Dynamo Theory in order to get some insider perspective on the Houston Dynamo as the travel to Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire tonight.  Zach did not pose any questions to Hot Time in Old Town but Mr. Woosley does have a lot on his plate.  In addition to managing Dynamo Theory, you might be familiar with his other website Ginge Talks The Footy, his work as a co-creator of Winning Ugly Radio, or his co-hosting of Around the League.  As I said, a lot of hats and our thanks to Zach for answering our questions.  His answers are after the break.

Hot Time In Old Town asks Dynamo Theory

1. The Houston Dynamo were trying to get in on the Benny Feilhaber sweepstakes. If he had been acquired, would that have changed the team's formation at all? Which player would have lost the most playing time due to Feilhaber's presence?

If Houston had been able to acquire Feilhaber, it's hard to predict exactly how he would have been used. Logic says that Kinnear would want to deploy both him and Cameron to work together in the midfield but exactly how that would work and who would be sacrificed to make it happen is hard to say. The assumption was that Feilhaber would have been used as a playmaking midfielder right behind the striker(s) but alas, we shall never know. Word is the Revolution wanted Brad Davis and Geoff Cameron for Feilhaber so if that's true, it's a good no trade by the Dynamo.

2. Dynamo Stadium is set to open in 2012. Can you give a brief update on the project? What are some of the things you are most looking forward to?

Earthwork is currently underway at the stadium site. Most of the road and sewer lines that had to be removed are gone, and the process of digging out the ground to eventual field level is underway. It's going to be a tight schedule, but the stadium is still expected to be ready in April 2012. Personally, I'm just looking forward to the Dynamo having a state-of-the-art stadium that they control the revenue stream of. It will benefit the team financially and in terms of building a bigger fanbase as demand for season tickets in the new stadium are already strong...a press box with consistently working AC will be nice too :)

3. I've been seeing praises sung for goaltender Tally Hall. Besides having a great name, what is the story behind this young goaltender?

Tally Hall is a Washington born goalkeeper who spent two season in Denmark with Esbjerg before joining the Dynamo in 2009. He was actually drafted the Galaxy in the 2007 SuperDraft but elected to go overseas instead of joining MLS. He didn't see a single minute of senior team football at Esbjerg and when he made the decision to return to the States, the Dynamo jumped at the chance to sign him. Even though he was still performing at a high level, the club knew Pat Onstad wasn't the long term solution, and Hall was brought in to be the heir apparent to the starting job. He's proven quickly this year it was the right decision.