The Houston Dynamo are just one game away from advancing to the Major League Soccer, MLS, Cup finals for the fourth time in team history. The Dynamo, currently battling with D.C. United for the Eastern Conference Championship, have played in five conference championship finals in the last seven seasons, winning their conference three times and going on to win the Cup two of those times.

The Dynamo dominated D.C. United with a 3-1 victory on Nov. 11. The Dynamo will travel to RFK Stadium to battle D.C. United again for another conference championship title and a chance to advance to the MLS Cup final on Nov. 18. The Cup final match will be played Dec. 1 at the home of the finalist with the best regular season record. Hopefully, this means the match will be in Houston. 

If you have been to the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, you now realize what a big deal the Houston Dynamo are. This stadium is within walking distance of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center in downtown Houston, a far cry from their old days playing at the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium. While Robertson Stadium at the bare minimum seated the fans, it screamed, “nobody in Houston likes soccer as much as they like football.” The Dynamo fans screamed right back, though, with drums and air horns and their four officially recognized supporter groups: the Texian Army, La Bateria, Brickwall Firm and El Batallón. Their mission was to make noise for the entire 90 minutes. They are there at every single game and never cease to amuse.

For those of you out there who would never spend money on a soccer game, try and argue with this: David Beckham plays for the L.A. Galaxy, and, sometimes, the Dynamo play against the Galaxy. Do with that what you will. 

If Becks is not your cup of tea, though, there are always the Dynamo cheerleaders, and the hot dog and nacho selection at the BBVA  stadium are choice.

In all seriousness though, soccer is arguably one of the most beautiful, technically challenging sports on this planet. Finally, it is being played at a professional level all around the U.S. 

I promise that going to a soccer game is just like going to any other sporting event. It is loud, occasionally violent and forces you to bond with your nearest seatmates. I can say with confidence that soccer is infinitely more entertaining and beautiful than football could ever dream to be. Sorry, Nolan.

The Dynamo’s impressive team records, dedicated fan base and brand-spanking-new stadium speak well to the fame of the team, but they also say great things about the development of American soccer in general. While we are still years away from achieving the success of European leagues like England’s Premier League, I remain hopeful.

The next thing that would make my dreams come true would be if the Austin Aztex could finally climb the U.S. soccer league system’s ladder to the MLS, the highest level of professional soccer in the United States, and eventually win the Cup. 

Next on my list, though, is to get the Women’s Professional Soccer league up and running again. Until then, Dream. Scream. Believe.