Weekly update: It's playoff time

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Dynamo clinched the second spot in the 2006 MLS Cup Western Conference Playoffs, after earning a 3-3 tie against the Colorado Rapids at Robertson Stadium.

Craig Waibel scored twice in the game and Houston controlled the first half. Waibel's first goal of the game came in the second minute of action, after a corner kick from Brad Davis. In the 21st minute, the Rapids pulled even when Thiago Martins sent the ball past Dynamo goalkeeper Paul Onstad. Three minutes after Dwayne De Rosario's second missed attempt in the 40th minute, a goal by Dynamo forward Paul Dalglish, who started thanks to the sore right knee of Brian Ching, put Houston ahead for the second time.

The second half tempo was set by Colorado in the 55th minute when a corner kick from Terry Cooke came off the head of Martins, where it was deflected into the goal, making it Martins' second goal of the game. In the 73rd minute, Davis sent a free kick above the Colorado defense to a leaping Waibel, who headed the ball and sent it past Colorado goalkeeper Joe Cannon for his second goal of the night. The assist would mark Davis' second of the night and 11th of the season, also tying him for the league lead. With Houston up 3-2, it looked as if Houston's defense would allow them to escape with a win until the 88th minute, when Peterson headed the ball, catching Onstad off guard and tying the game for good.

With the tie, Houston's unbeaten streak reaches six games. The Dynamo (11-8-13) are now focusing on the postseason, where they will open up the playoffs against Chivas USA (10-9-13).

HOUSTON DYNAMO PRACTICE SCHEDULE, OCTOBER 16-20

Monday, October 16: * OFF *

Tuesday, October 17: 9:30-11:00 a.m., Carl Lewis Track Field.

Wednesday, October 18: * OFF *

Thursday, October 19: 9:30-11:00 a.m., Carl Lewis Track Field.

Friday, October 20: 9:00-10:30 a.m., Robertson Stadium

* (ALL PRACTICE TIMES AND LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE) *

PLAYOFF TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Houston Dynamo Playoff tickets are now on sale! Come to Robertson Stadium to cheer on your home team as it makes its very first playoff appearance. Tickets available are for the first round only. Ticket prices will remain consistent with 2006 regular-season pricing. Dynamo full-season ticket holders will automatically receive admission to this game as part of their 2006 package. Season-ticket holders are to use Bonus game 4/Game 20B tickets for this contest. To purchase your tickets, call the Houston Dynamo Ticket Office, at 713-276-7500, or Ticketmaster. You can also purchase them online, at www.houstondynamo.com.

2007 SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
2007 Houston Dynamo Season Tickets are now on sale only by calling the Houston Dynamo at 713-276-7500. After a successful inaugural season, and a great response from Houston fans, the Dynamo has expanded its benefits for season ticket holders, and VIP Club Members. Houston Dynamo season ticket holders receive some of the best benefits in Texas pro sports. Packages are flexible and affordable for both families and corporate clients. The Dynamo will feature a variety of new ticket packages in 2007, including the "Birthday Package". Hurry to purchase the best seats at Robertson Stadium! To purchase your 2007 season tickets, call the Houston Dynamo Ticket Office at 713-276-7500.

POSTSEASON ACTION
With a ticket to the post season in their hands, Houston's focus now turns to the playoffs, where they will open up the Western Conference Semifinal Series with a contest against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center on Oct. 22nd. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. CT. The Dynamo hold a 1-1-2 record against Chivas USA. The last time the two teams meet was on Sunday, September 17, where the game ended in a scoreless tie.

KINNEAR'S CONVERSATION
Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will be answering fan questions every week of the 2006 season via the Houston Dynamo web site, www.houstondynamo.com. Fans can submit questions by navigating to the "Fans" section of the website, and clicking on the link "Kinnear's Conversation", located on the right hand side of the page. Selected questions will be answered in an online article every Thursday.

HOUSTON DYNAMO IN THE COMMUNITY

On Tuesday, October 17, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Stuart Holden and Paul Dalglish will be at Wildcat Golf Club, located at 12000 Almeda Rd., in Houston, TX 77045. There, they will represent the Dynamo by participating in the Verizon Wireless Charity Classic Golf Tournament.

On Tuesday, October 17, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Craig Waibel will be at Shell Plaza, located at One Shell Plaza, in Houston, TX 77002. There he will represent the Dynamo at the United Way Campaign Kick-Off ceremony.

On Wednesday, October 18, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., Eddie Robinson will be at Westhollow Technology Center, located at 3333 Hwy 6 South, in Houston, TX 77082. There, he will represent the Dynamo at the United Way Campaign Kick-Off ceremony.

On Wednesday, October 18, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Pat Onstad and Kelly Gray will be at Gallery Furniture, located at 6006 I-45 North, in Houston, TX 77076. There, they will be signing autographs for store customers.

On Wednesday, October 18, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Brian Ching, Paul Dalglish, and Marcus Storey will be at the Soccer 4 All store, located at 1306 FM 1092, Suite 101, in Missouri City, TX 77459. There, they will be signing autographs for store customers.

On Thursday, October 19, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., Ryan Cochrane, Zach Wells, and Kevin Goldthwaite will be at McDonald's, located at 24610 FM 1314, in Porter, TX 77365. There, they will sign autographs for those who attend.

CHECK OUT THE DYNAMO ON TV AND RADIO (ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Houston Dynamo Head Coach Dominic Kinnear and Forward Brian Ching will be this week's guests on ESPN 790 AM's Dynamo Power Hour, which airs every Wednesday, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. On Wednesday's show, Kinnear and Ching will discuss the team's performance in their match against Colorado Rapids, and give their thoughts on the team's upcoming playoff contest against Chivas USA.

TV Informa 43's "Dynamo TV", is your best source for Dynamo-related news and information. The show airs every Tuesday, from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Among other topics, Danny Gonzalez will talk about the Dynamo's performance against Colorado Rapids, and also about the team's upcoming game against Chivas USA.

Radio Concierto 101.7 FM's "La Hora del Dynamo" gives you one full hour of everything you need to know about the Houston Dynamo. Hosted by Dagoberto Puello, Daniel Mejía, Hector López, and Ricardo Palacio, the show features interviews and in-depth coverage of anything and everything related to the Dynamo. The show airs every Friday, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Alex Soler has the Dynamo covered. On Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Soler hosts "Cadena Deportiva" on KYST 920 AM. In his show, Soler discusses the day's events, takes calls from fans, and features interviews with special guests. On Sundays, Soler hosts "La Media Hora del Dynamo" in La Tremenda 1010 AM, from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. On this show, Alex talks about the previous night's game, featuring in-depth analysis and information from Major League Soccer and other soccer leagues throughout Latin America and Europe.