Houston Dynamo Supporters Capture 2011 ACES Cup

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(Free-Press-Release.com) October 23, 2011 -- As Dynamo supporters reflect on six seasons at Robertson Stadium, five of which saw them to the post season with two championships, Dynamo fans – and Robertson by association – collected another accolade today: the 2011 ACES Cup.

The ACES Cup is a fan based competition that awards a cash prize to MLS fan groups based on their club’s overall goal differential against Sounders FC.

It was exactly one year ago today that Houston closed the 2010 MLS regular season with a 2-1 win at home against Seattle, with former Sounder Cam Weaver heading in the go ahead goal in front of 23,990 fans. Over the years, that home has been a fortress that has confounded the Sounders for their entire MLS existence. The home side has more than doubled Seattle’s goal tally in all fixtures at Robertson Stadium.

In their four visits since 2009, Sounders FC have lost 3 matches and drawn 1 at Robertson, with no victories.

As both clubs prepare for the postseason, it’s worth noting that Robertson was ground zero for a trend that the rest of the league’s supporters may hope becomes a tradition – seeing Sounders FC go ‘one and done’ in the playoffs. With a beautiful volley that was ultimately the Seattle club’s undoing, Brian Ching (another one-time Sounder) sent the visiting team and Seattle supporters - ‘the Pod’ - home without a win for the second time in 2009.

To date, Sounders have never won a post season match.

The 2011 chapter of the Sounders versus Dynamo-Robertson-Texian Army-El Batallon-Brickwall Firm-La Bateria rivalry didn’t deviate from that storyline. Like any of the previous fixtures, the July 30, 2011 chapter was a story of a complete team performance, an intimidating environment and passionate support from the ground’s North End, home to the Dynamo’s most passionate, intense and – according to Sounder supporters – “vicious” supporters groups.

Behind the 3-1 scoreline were impressive team statistics like Houston’s 16 shots to Seattle’s ‘soft’ 8. According to Seattle fan coverage of the match, the only threatening shot Seattle put on frame was Alvaro Fernandez's penalty.

Asked to explain his team’s poor performance, Sigi Schmid blamed the environment created by the Dynamo supporters for the distraction, adding “I just think mentally we lost our concentration”.

“That’s what intense support does – it unsettles the visiting team and inspires the home side.” explained ACES Co-Founder Andrew Wheaton. “We just love to see that. The intensity that Dynamo supporters bring – whether it’s showing love for their home with a huge section-wide Texas flag, random pogo / mosh insanity, inflatable sex toys wearing Sounders colors, organized tifo displays, blinding smoke, or deafening noise – all that puts them among the best in the league”.

All of that was on display on the evening of July 30th 2011. Ching had a brace, Dynamo supporters had a blast supporting their side and Sounders players and fans once again left Robertson deflated.

“With a change of venue and with Sounder-killer Ching approaching retirement, the main constant going into next year is the supporters groups, which I’m sure will thrive based on the foundation they already have.” added ACES supporter Eddie Groshong. “Who didn’t read that ESPN write up about El Battallon founder Miguel Sada and think ‘wow these guys are totally dedicated to their club’?”

For their dedication to the Dynamo and for unfailingly defending Robertson Stadium against the Sounders, the four North End supporters groups Texian Army, El Batallon, Brickwall Firm, and La Bateria will be offered a split of the $400 ACES Cup cash prize.

“Supporters groups do what they do because they love their club and we’d be kidding ourselves if we thought this fan cup had any impact on their support. It’s usually a surprise to the groups who have won in the past and really it’s just up to their leadership to decide to accept the award and how to use it.” explained Wheaton, adding “With fan-sponsored tifo displays easily running into the thousands of dollars over a season, this isn’t a whole lot of cash to each group but we like the idea that it might put a small dent in a final tailgate at Robertson.”

MLS PLAYOFF NOTES: Dynamo and Sounders wouldn’t meet until the Western Conference Championship November 5th, but if past is prologue, Sounders won’t advance past the first round.

ACES 09     Brian Ching     Houston Dynamo     Kasey Keller     major league soccer     playoffs     Seattle Sounders     Tifo