ORD to EZE ?

Every season tells a story. The short seasons that started in 1995 or 1996 in most Latin American countries have provided for a lot of drama, and arguably more revenue (that will always come with the world’s most popular sport).
The Promocion, however, is a false solution derived by the Argentine Futbol Association to keep the Big 5 teams in the Primera A division year after year. Only the horrible, two-win season from Racing Club forced them to fight it out against Belgrano de Cordoba in an all-or-nothing battle to remain in a relevant category (Los de Avellaneda have ventaje deportivo heading into tomorrow’s game in El Cilindro [Estadio Col. Juan Domingo Peron]).
Essentially, in 2001 or 2002 they decided that the team’s average FOR THAT YEAR would remain their permanent average. Each year after that would add or subtract a little bit from their average, and each June the two bottom teams would descend directly (this year Olimpo and San Martin de San Juan), and the 3rd and 4th (this year Gimnasia de Jujuy and Racing Club) place lowest teams would have to fight it out against the 2nd and 3rd place teams from the B Nacional (this year Union de Santa Fe and Belgrano de Cordoba).-Gimnasia de Jujuy remained in the Primera A- The 1st place B Nacional team ascends directly [this year San Martin de Tucuman]).
Talleres de Cordoba and Racing de Cordoba also are playing a series to decide who remains in the torneo argentino A and the B Nacional –Talleres remained in the B Nacional-
Also, Los Andes de Lomas de Zamora defeated Nueva Chicago and ascended to the B Nacional from the B Metropolitana.
On the eve of the final superclasico of 2008, Boca Juniors have a locker-room crisis receiving more national coverage than the credit-market collapse, and defending champion River Plate is in the bottom half of the championship table. This is not the way either side imagined themselves: Struggling on the pitch and struggling to find team chemistry off the field. For this reason, Sunday’s game (10/19) is critical to both teams not just for Buenos Aires North side-Southside bragging rights. A victory provides huge mental and physical relief heading into next week’s Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals (Boca vs. Internacional de Porto Alegre and River vs. Chivas de Guadalajara).
At home in Paraguay preparing for 2010 World Cup qualifying, Boca defender Julio Caceres said to a journalist that star midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme is passive during Boca games and saves his best play for his Argentine national team duty. This supposed rift has dominated media coverage over the past 48, fueled by Riquelme’s difficult history (notably a rift between his former Coach at Villareal, Manuel Pellegrini of Chile).
Additionally, River coach Diege Simeone is in the final year of his contract, and has not indicated whether he will return to the helm in 2009. Of note: National team coach Adolfo Basile has not won in five straight games and his job could be in jeopardy…

demasiado futbol? nunca

Amidst the drama of Eurocopa 2008, the Argentine Clausura came to and end on Sunday, June 22. Here are the important notes:

River eased four years of pain for their faithful fanbase by hoisting the Clausura 2008 trophy. Their beloved midfielder Ariel "El Burrito" Ortega left the team just prior to their final game against Banfield, with their fans chanting "Ole Ole Ole Ola, el burrito tiene que jugar" (he has to play). Too many clashes with the coaching staff and too many skipped practices ultimately led to the decision of Diege "Cholo" Simeone to dismiss Ortega from the team.

Argentinos Jrs. defeated Rosario Central 2-1 and remained undefeated at their home Diego Armando Maradona stadium on Friday, June 21 2008. With this victory, they qualified for the 2009 Copa Sudamericana. This capped off a great season, and "Los Bichos" (ants) will be presented in their first intercontinental tournament in almost two decades. I can't wait to see their cute, neighborhood stadium and dedicated followers playing against the best teams from South America and Mexico. One can only hope their board of directors uses the windfall profits that come from a large tournament in their barrio La Paternal for developmental purposes rather than lining their own pockets.

More news to come following the result of the Racing - Colon fight to escape the deadly Promocion (relegation playoffs).

Fluminense Finalista

In a somewhat surprising result, Brazilian team Fluminense eliminated Boca Jrs. From the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday, june 4 2008. Palermo scored for Boca. Riquelme seemed slow at times, perhaps due to his stomach ailment that kept him on the bench last weekend against Arsenal in league play.

Does Carlos Ischia keep his job? He promised one title this semester or else he would leave. He was never the leading candidate for Miguel Angel Russo’s former job. Only Carlos “The Viceroy” Bianchi’s recommendation solidified his place at the helm of Boca. Maradona was staunchly against the Ishia hire, threatening to watch games from his house rather than his usual box seat perch. Ramon Diaz may become the first coach to lead San Lorenzo, Boca, and River to a league championship.

With no Argentine teams playing in the Copa Libertadores final, one week is left in the 2008 Clausura with River Plate and Estudiantes tied for the lead.

Looking ahead to the Apertura and Copa Sudamericana season: The brightest story of this past league tournament is Argentinos Jrs. “Los Bichos Colorados de La Paternal” have won 14 straight home games. Their Wrigleyesque stadium does not seat enough fans to host CONMEBOL games, and their overall average barely lets them escape having to play to defend their spot in the Primera division in the brutal Promocion (relegation playoffs).

semillero del mundo

december 26, 2003 they opened up the stadium en el centro del barrio La Paternal

Jugo con Platense, y perdio, but the next year they returned to la Primera A, and logro quarto lugar en esta Apertura pasado. Win one or get second twice and they will play in Sudamericana 2009.

Argentinos de la paternal - Velez de liniers
Ferrocarril Oeste de Caballito - Velez
Nueva Chicago de Mataderos - Velez
huracan de parque patricios- san lorenzo de boedo
River de Nunez - Boca
Racing - Independiente de Avellaneda