Western Conference Notebook: Dynamo making progress on stadium, West clubs in control of playoff race and more

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BY ADAM SERRANO

The Houston Dynamo have big plans in the works.

In a recent press conference, Tim Leiweke, the President of Dynamo co-owner AEG announced that plans are in place to break ground on the Dynamo's new stadium at the end of the year. The 110 million dollar facility will likely be finished during the summer of 2012 and will house the Dynamo andathleticsfor Texas Southern University. The stadium will be along a new light rail line to make it more accessible while also being adjacentto a new mixed-use development project.

In the same interview, Leiweke encouraged the Dynamo to sign a big name Designated Player for the 2011 season. The President of AEG stated that it is most likely that the DP will be a player that allows Houston to capitalize on a large Latino market. In July, the Dynamo released the club's first DP, former Mexican international Luis Angel Landin after an unsuccessful stint in Houston.

More news after the jump:

WEST IS BEST IN PLAYOFF RACE

With only several months left in the season, the playoff stretch is in full swing. With three playoff spots up for grab, the fourth spot in the Western bracket along with the third and fourth spot in the East bracket. Currently three teams from the Western Conference inhabit the spots as the Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids would qualify if the season ended today.

Here is where the playoff race stands going into week 22. The clubs asteriskedare currently in the playoffs.

  • Seattle Sounders - 29 points *
  • San Jose Earthquakes - 29 points *
  • Colorado Rapids - 28 points *
  • Toronto FC - 26 points
  • Chicago Fire - ! 24 point s
  • Kansas City Wizards - 23 points
  • Houston Dynamo - 23 points

The Sounders and Dynamo have played the most games at 21 while Kansas City, Colorado and Toronto are level at 20 games played. The San Jose Earthquakes and Chicago Fire have played the fewest at 19 and 18 respectively.

CHIVAS USA SIGN YOUTH PLAYER DE LA FUENTE

Chivas USA announced the signing of former youth product and current U.S. U-20 product Bryan De La Fuente. The 18-year-old midfielder has been a member of the Chivas USA youth program for three years and was a member of theGuadalajarayouth system before moving to the Los Angeles area.

De La Fuente is the fourth former member of the Chivas USA youth system on the full roster along with defender Carlos Borja and midfielders Jorge Flores, Cesar Zamora. A fifth player former Chivas USA youth player, Gerson Mayen is currently on loan at Miami FC.

QUICK FREE KICKS

San Jose Earthquakes give GM John Doyle, a contract extensionthrough the 2011 season.

Seattle Soundersto playCopa Liberatdores runners-up Chivas de Guadalajara at Qwest Field on October 12th

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Excited that yet another MLS team will have their own stadum? Who do you think will be the Dynamo's new DP? Will five Western Conference teams make the playoffs?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.



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