If Gretzky is The Great One, Jason Kreis is, at least, The Really Really Good One. It gives any Dallas fan pleasure to see him thriving as a coach, but it's a pleasure tempered by the fact that he is thriving as a coach of a Western Conference Rival. Could be worse – could be Colorado or L.A.

Usually at this point, I lament the fact that I'm not at Pizza Hut Park to see the game in person. But I've been there in July when it's 100-plus degrees outside. Therefore I'm fairly content to be watching from my palatial estate in Oklahoma City. And by palatial of course, I mean 'air-conditioned'.

I'm glad to see Milton Rodriguez debut tonight, and I'm glad to see Brek Shea abandon the cornrow experiment. Who was the guy who played keeper for Kansas City (among others) that made a brief but unfortunate attempt at little rubber-banded dreadlock seeds on his head a few years ago? That was about the worst hair in MLS history. He was also a commentator (and still may be, for all I know). Great, now it's going to drive me crazy until I remember. Thanks Brek, thanks for that. I blame you for this. Even Google is no help; 'kc goalkeeper bad dreadlock attempt' yields no results whatsoever.

Milton almost scores in the 10^th minute, heading one off the crossbar from the corner. He also managed to give Espindola a shot in the chops in the process. Accidentally, mind you, but enough to let everyone know he's present and accounted for.

The Referee, Mr. Grajeda, has apparently purchased, and used, the Ed Hochuli workout video. This guy has the serious guns. It must give a player pause when trying to verbally abuse a ref who could snap his neck if provoked.

Mr. Grajeda is totally uninterested in giving David Ferreira the benefit of the doubt on two very close foul calls in and near the penalty area. To be fair, David is trying to sell it a bit too much. My perception is that the tide is turning against players who flop in the box. Referees, it seems, are sick of being made a fool of by thespian forwards and are consciously not giving calls when there is embellishment present. I'm all for this trend, too. How many times have you talked to a non-fan about soccer and the first thing they bring up is flopping? It's embarrassing.

Now, take a guy like Dax McCarty. He just got seriously whacked by Will Johnson. If you've played the game at any level, you know that reallllly hurt. But did Dax roll on the ground and stay there for several minutes, requiring a stretcher and some magic spray before he could continue? No. No. He stayed down for a few seconds to let it quit hurting (a little), then got up. I'm not sure what constitutes the elusive “American Style” of soccer, but surely this is part of it. Which makes me happy.

As the second half starts, looks like Dax comes out, injured. Jeff Cunningham comes on. You know Jeff would like to hang about five goals on his former team. I'll settle for one.

George John looks too big to be a soccer player. It looks kind of like a high school kid practicing with the local U-12 side. I'm glad he's on our side. He looks so much more composed and confident than he did a year ago. He's near the top of the “I hope we can keep him here” list, along with Brek Shea. Alumni of the list include Clarence Goodson, Kenny Cooper, and Juan Toja.

Either someone in the Inferno just lit a flare, or someone burst into flames from the heat. I think either one is possible.

Will Johnson just got robbed by the far post. It was quite a run, beating three defenders and Kevin Hartman. Is he that good, or was it a fluke? That would have been serious GOTY material.

Is there something wrong with me for not having any interest in seeing Inter Milan at Pizza Hut Park? Am I the opposite of a Eurosnob? Or is it just my indifference to pre-season exhibitions games? Or my irrational fear that Marco Materazzi will saying something bad about my sister and I'll be forced to head-butt him in the chest?

BREK SHEA! ONE-NIL! OHHHHH!

It seems the acquisition of Don Milton is paying off already. His hard left-footed shot from the top of the eighteen was fumbled by Nick Rimando, and Brek absolutely nailed the rebound first-time with his left.

Here's where one of my pet peeves may come in to play. With 20 minutes to go, most coaches will insist on bunkering down and absorbing pressure, hoping to sneak by with a 1-0 win. This, sadly, may be part of the 'American Style' we were discussing before. I would much rather live by the old saying 'the best way to protect a one goal lead is to make it a two goal lead. I don't know who first said that, but he was a genius. We have the players and conditioning to play it that way, and I'm hoping we will.

OHHHHHHHHHHH! Am I a prophet or what? Atiba Harris scores from the low driven cross by Heath Pearce. THAT friends, is American Soccer, in my book. Nothing but pressure for five minutes following the first goal, and now the points are in hand with fifteen to go. Very nice.

Well, we must be butter, because we're on a roll. FC Dallas are undefeated in their last six games.

(I'll take 'Things I thought I wouldn't be saying at the All-Star break' for $500, Alex)

Nice win. Good momentum for the second half. You know it's against my nature to be optimistic, so I won't. But it's nice. It's really nice.

See you in a few weeks for Toronto.