I’m stupid, there is nothing wrong with the TV schedule – so I’ve removed my errant post here. I was subtracting hours to go from Hawaii time to Central time rather than adding. ESPN Classic IS showing the final live!
I guess I’m just so used to converting Eastern time to Central time that I always subtract hours.
vs 
Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs Gamba Osaka (J-League)
4:30 PM (CST)
ESPN Classic
Don’t miss the conclusion of the greuling 2 game tournament known as the Pan-Pacific Championship tonight. After knocking out Sydney FC the Dynamo now play Gamba Osaka who took the LA Galaxy out of the tournament. I still haven’t seen the Dynamo/Sydney FC game, but it sounds like the Dynamo were impressive in a 3-0 victory.
Brian Ching is hoping that he has saved some goals for the final that is being played in his home state of Hawaii. I hope he is right and would like to see the Dynamo take apart the Japanese champions with convincing authority to show the world that the MLS is for real. But then again who is paying any attention to the Pan-Pacific Championship? I guess anyone who doesn’t give the MLS credit now isn’t going to if our champions beat a Japanese team either. But go Dynamo anyway! I’ll predict another 3-0 win for the Dynamo.
You can catch LA Galaxy vs Sydney FC in the 3rd place game also on ESPN Classic at 2:00 PM (CST). This is a rematch of a friendly game the teams played late last year. Sydney FC won that game 5-3.
The Pan-Pacific Championship first round (semi-finals) got underway last night and as you know our beloved Galaxy and Dynamo took the field in Hawaii. The Galaxy started out strong, giving up only one goal in the first five minutes. That was all it took for the Gamba Boy to move on to the first ever final of the Pan-Pacific Championship.
The Houston Dynamo are defending MLS champions and know how to win. They had Brian Ching playing in front of his home crowd. They actually earned their way into the tournament. They didn’t disappoint anyone, well expect for those people who only want to see goals scored in the 2nd half of a game. The Dynamo took a 3-0 lead into halftime and that is how the game ended. Ching didn’t get any but he hopes his goals are being saved for the final.
Saturday we will see the LA Galaxy play Sydney FC for 3rd place. Last November the two teams met in a friendly in Australia. The home team topped the Galaxy by a score of 5-3. Hopefully Saturday will see a different result. After that game the Dynamo will play Gamba Osaka for the first ever championship of the Pan-Pacific Championship. Lets go Dynamo – I hope Ching gets a hat trick in that one and the Dynamo add another trophy to the case!
LA Galaxy 0 – 1 Gamba Osaka
Houston Dynamo 3 – 0 Sydney FC
Why does it feel like last year? Cause the Dynamo win and the Galaxy lose.
@ 
Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs Sydney FC (Australian A-League)
ESPN Classic
12:30 AM (CST)
The two time defending MLS champions Houston Dynamo take part in the second semi-final (aka first round) game in the first Pan-Pacific Championship. They Dynamo earned their way into this tournament by winning the MLS Cup last season. They will face the Australian A-League’s Sydney FC.
I don’t know much about Sydney FC but I did get this picture from their website. I guess Syndey FC will be more prepared if the game moves into the ocean. The games are being played in Hawaii so you never know when the game could move to the ocean. Hopefully the Dynamo have the advantage while they are playing on grass, and the game stays on grass!
LA Galaxy (MLS) vs Gamba Osaka (J-League)
ESPN Classic
10:00 PM (CST)
The Galaxy open their season tonight against a tough J-League opponent in Hawaii. The game will be televised but will only be available on ESPN Classic, so I hope you are all lucky enough to have Classic. David Beckham has warned his Galaxy teammates that Gamba Osaka will provide a tough test. I guess playing in the 2006 World Cup that took place partially in Japan means he knows the strength of those J-League teams like no one else.
If the Galaxy manage to get past the J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Champions they will play in the championship game on Saturday, possibly against the two time defending MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo.
Here is one thing the Galaxy might not have been counting on – the Gamba Boy. How do you deal with the Gamba Boy? He harnesses the awesome power of lightning in his right hand while trapping a ball with his left foot. Not even the mighty Beckham can do that. Maybe Alexi Lalas could do that if he was still in his prime.
