HOUSTON, TX - Hundreds of fans congregated outside Houston's City Hall today to celebrate the Houston Dynamo's triumph in the 2006 MLS Cup.
Along with team President and General Manager Oliver Luck, Houston Mayor Bill White and City of Houston councilmember Adrian Garcia, the team was present at the event.
"We would like to say 'thanks' to the fans and the City of Houston for being there for us since day one. The fact that we are able to bring home the MLS Cup in only our first year of existence gives us an incentive to work harder and try to win it all again next year", said Dynamo President Oliver Luck.
"The City of Houston appreciates and recognizes the efforts that this organization has made to perform at the highest of stages. It fills us with pride, as we celebrate the team's triumph tonight", said City of Houston Councilmember Adrian Garcia.
Houston Dynamo sponsor Gallery Furniture distributed soccer balls to those in attendance, and Latin band "Ca' Che'" performed live during the event.
The Houston Dynamo defeated the New England Revolution 4-3 in penalty kicks, after the game finished tied at 1 goal apiece after two periods of extra time. Brian Ching, who was later named Most Valuable Player, gave the Dynamo the lead, and Pat Onstad stopped Jay Heaps' attempt to tie the penalty rounds at 4 goals, to give Houston the title.
The Dynamo now look forward to next season, which should be set to start in early April. The team, however, will also be participating in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup starting in February, 2007.
