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Internacional striker Forlán linked to Toronto FC

Canadian club Toronto FC are interested in Internacional´s Uruguayan striker Diego Forlán, according to reports in North American press.

The reports claim that he could move to Major League Soccer within the next months, in a long contract. However, nothing about such a possible move has been reported in Brazil.

Diego Forlán has recently represented Uruguay in the Confederations Cup and Internacional regard him as an important player.

The Uruguayan is under contract with Internacional until July 2015, which might make a move harder. Internacional could also sell Leandro Damião, who is wanted by clubs from England, Italy and Russia.

If Leandro Damião leaves the club, Internacional will most likely want keep Diego Forlán rather than needing to bring two new strikers.

Goiás defender Ernando in talks with Internacional

Goiás defender Ernando has admitted that he is in talks to join fellow Série A club Internacional. If he comes, he will be replacing Rodrigo Moledo, who has recently been sold to Metalist.

Ernando talke with press about his situation following Goiás 1-0 win against Vitória, he told Rádio 730 when asked about Internacional: "We are talking, but regardless of what happens, I thank everyone at Goiás, those have been 10 wonderful years.

But there is nothing decided yet, this is going to be a decisive week for my career."

When asked about his contract, which ends in December, Goiás manager Enderson Moreira said: "I haven´t talked with the board about this, I know it´s hard to sign a new contract as I can sign a pre-contract [with other clubs].

Ernando is a good player, who is wanted by big clubs, and he can improve his financial situation. I would like to praise him, he is a very good person and a very good professional."

Chants of change grow as El Tri fail again

ROSE BOWL, Pasadena -– Mexico didn´t win their opening match of the Gold Cup against Panama. They didn´t even secure a draw. Unfortunately for their anxious fans, El Tri lost 2-1 to the Central Americans in the second match of the tournament doubleheader at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. As the final moments of the game ticked away, certain fans were so sure they could do better than the Mexico players that they tried to invade the field to do so. All around the stadium, the chants of "Fuera Chepo!" rang out, and a rain of debris fell as the embattled El Tri coach Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre walked off the field.

The worst part of the match was that the result really wasn´t a surprise, though given their world ranking (20) compared to Panama (51), it should be more of a shock.

But while the Panamanian squad engaged in disgraceful time-wasting tactics in the latter stages of the game, they didn´t come by their goals cheaply or by fluke happenstance.

The first goal, scored in the seventh minute, was the result of a clumsy attempted tackle by Raul Jimenez in the box on Alberto Quintero. Gabriel Torres neatly put the spot kick away.

Mexico, prodded into action by falling behind, looked to pull even. Marco Fabian was doing anything, everything, and sometimes too much to try to score the equalizer. He pushed his way into position, chased down every pass and battled for every ball. Yet it was Panama that nearly had the second goal of the game. However, Mexico was spared that disgrace when a comedic sequence of missed shots by Panamanian players, followed by Cecilio Waterman´s post-bound shot, let the Mexicans off the hook.

The quality of the El Tri squad showed sporadically, like the sun trying to break through the clouds, but one time it shone through, Fabian scored. Just before the final whistle of the first half, Israel Jimenez, who generally had a nightmare of a match defensively, popped a long pass forward that just cleared the Panamanian defense and found the eager Fabian, who put away the pass well.

The draw barely lasted two minutes into the second half. This time, a Quintero cross found Torres, and he fired first-time into the net with the side of his foot. Panama held on to that advantage for their eventual victory.

Mexico can protest that this edition of the national team isn´t representative of its top level, given that many big names are absent, but Panama, which was missing Blas Perez for club obligations, could also say the same.

Justifications for the loss are weak, given that the Gold Cup has generally been Mexico´s playground. El Tri has the most titles in the tournament´s history and it has never before lost an opening match to a CONCACAF team. It wasn´t a bad call or a man disadvantage that led to the loss.

Moreover, few could say that the players weren´t trying, especially if Fabian was a prime example. Even players who made obvious mistakes or looked poor, like Israel Jimenez or Joel Huiqui, were hustling throughout the match.

Effort alone isn´t effective, though. It has to have aim, purpose and a clear strategy -- all of which were clearly lacking from Mexico. Panama´s athleticism and quick runs left Mexico´s defense exposed time and again. De la Torre and his team wouldn´t, or couldn´t, come up with any plan or adjustment to the situation, other than the "try, and try again" method. El Tri´s vaunted possession game was in tatters, with the midfield having trouble keeping the ball to build any attacking plays.

Fans at the Rose Bowl had had enough. Frankly, Mexico fans in the U.S. are usually the most forgiving El Tri fans, given the nostalgia for their home country that they attach to the team. Many have bemoaned past quick firings of national team coaches. They thought it wise to give de la Torre more time to change things around. So far, though, that tactic has only seen things go from bad to worse.

"Fuera Chepo!" isn´t a gleeful chant of rebellion by a few discontented fans anymore. It´s becoming a desperate plea by Mexican supporters at large to Mexico´s administration to do something quickly to save the team they used to know and love.

Mexico 1-2 Panama: El Tri player ratings

A different Mexico team, with fresh players and an alternative tactical layout, confronted Panama on Sunday in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., but the outcome was more of the same as Los Caneleros defeated El Tri 2-1 to win against the CONCACAF giants for the first time in their history.

If the pressure was on coach Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre beforehand, the loss may be the straw that broke the camel´s back.

Mexico once again failed to find fluidity, looked shaky at the back, without a clear game plan and lacked on-field leadership. Panama was the opposite, mixing solidity in midfield and defense with pace, strength and flair going forward. The Central Americans played with purpose, whereas Mexico seemed short of ideas.

The bottom line is that results have been poor for Chepo, and Mexico coaches have been fired for less.

Even a change in tactics to a 4-3-3 didn´t help, perhaps because Raul Jimenez was shifted out to an unfamiliar right-wing position and not one of the three central midfielders who started are known for their offensive abilities.

In summary, it was another failure in a year in which Mexico has sunk to ever-increasing lows.

Player ratings (10=best)

Jonathan Orozco, GK -- 6: A quiet evening for the Monterrey stopper, who could do little about the two goals Mexico conceded. Orozco looked comfortable on the rare occasions he was thrust into action and distributed the ball well, at which he is perhaps the best keeper in Mexico.

Israel Jimenez, RB -- 4: A Jekyll and Hyde of a game for Jimenez. Both Panama´s goals came from moves down its left flank and los Caneleros should´ve added another when the Tigres player made a monumental error in the 39th minute to let Anibal Godoy in. On the positive side, he played an exquisite through ball that Marco Fabian latched on to get Mexico´s only goal.

Joel Huiqui, CB -- 4: While the Morelia player is a solid Liga MX center back, Huiqui looked out of his depth on Sunday. He was caught out of position all too often and lacked pace to deal with Panama´s quick forwards. Walterman hit the post for Panama in the 40th minute after he turned Huiqui all too easily. The 30-year-old also should have done better for Panama´s second.

Jair Pereira, CM -- 5: He wasn´t the worst culprit for Mexico´s shortcomings in the first half and he was vocal in trying to organize the defense, but there are still plenty of question marks.

Adrian Aldrete, LB -- 6: Attacked down the left wing more than Jimenez and was certainly more solid defensively.

Jorge Enriquez, CM -- 5: After a bright start, Enriquez proceeded to give away possession too much and his touch was exposed at times, such as in the 19th minute when he gifted the ball to Panama in a dangerous area without much pressure on.

Alejandro Castro, CM -- 6: He was solid in the first half, getting stuck in and generally shielding the defense well. Castro remained deep when Mexico had possession to allow the fullbacks to push forward.

Efrain Velarde, CM -- 5: Playing on the left of a midfield three, Velarde failed to distribute the ball to his usual high standards and didn´t make the desired impression on the night.

Raul Jimenez, RW -- 5: The American forward looked a little lost playing in a position he is not accustomed to, on the right side of a three-man forward line. Jimenez was at fault for a rash and needless tackle in the Panama box, which led to the penalty and the opening goal.

Marco Fabian, LW -- 7: This was by no means Fabian´s best performance, but the Chivas playmaker was the brightest player in green. He scored El Tri´s goal in first half injury time, judging his run perfectly and finishing with style. He showed personality and determination in the second half, when he took the game to Panama and struck the post with one effort.

Rafa Marquez Lugo, -- 6: Intelligent first-half display and linked well occasionally with Fabian. Marquez Lugo looked isolated at times, but almost scored in the 12th when he met an Aldrete shot with his head and forced a good save.

Substitutes

Carlos Pena (for Alejandro Castro, 45) -- 6: Pena´s introduction at halftime heralded a definite improvement from Mexico, despite Panama´s early second goal. The Leon midfielder offered more going forward and put Fabien through on goal in the 53rd.

Juan Carlos Valenzuela (for Pereira, 45) -- 5: Not called into action with that much frequency as El Tri pushed forward searching for an equalizer, but went close with a header late on.

Isaac Brizuela (for Velarde, 74) -- 5: Thrown out to inject some pace down the wing, Brizuela´s introduction signaled a move to the 4-4-2 formation, although the Toluca player couldn´t get on the ball enough to make a difference.

Diego Cagna es el nuevo DT de Tigre

BUENOS AIRES -- Diego Cagna reemplazará a Néstor Gorosito como entrenador del plantel de Tigre para la temporada 2013/14 de Primera División.

Este será el segundo ciclo de Cagna en Tigre, ya que entrenó al primer equipo del club de Victoria entre 2006 y 2009.

En ese período, Cagna logró el ascenso a Primera División (primero ganó el torneo Reducido 2007 y luego superó a Nueva Chicago en la Promoción), y consiguió dos subcampeonatos (Apertura 2008 y Apertura 2009).

Cagna viene de dirigir a Estudiantes de La Plata, club del cual fue despedido en marzo último a causa de la mala campaña.

El nuevo director técnico de Tigre le ganó la pulseada a José Romero, quien parecía como el principal candidato para ocupar el lugar que Gorosito dejó vacante hace 24 horas.

Tigre arrancará la próxima temporada con el objetivo de realizar una buena campaña, ya que en la tabla de los promedios sólo supera a All Boys, Atlético de Rafaela, Godoy Cruz de Mendoza, y los tres ascendidos, Rosario Central, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata y Olimpo de Bahía Blanca.

Independiente: Tula arregló y viajó

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor Cristian Tula cobró la deuda que tenía Independiente con él y viajó con el resto del plantel a Salta para realizar la pretemporada.

En cambio, quedó al margen el mediocampista central colombiano Fabián Vargas, quien no renovó su vínculo contractual.

Este lunes se reincorporarán al plantel rojo los volantes Walter Busse e Iván Pérez después de haber pasado por Huracán y Banfield, a préstamo.

El único refuerzo del equipo que dirige Miguel Angel Brindisi para afrontar la próxima campaña en el torneo de la Primera B Nacional, hasta el momento, es el mediocampista Martín Zapata, proveniente de Belgrano de Córdoba.

Brindisi tiene la pretensión, sin embargo, de contratar a varios delanteros, a pesar de que no hay progreso en las negociaciones.

Los 23 futbolistas que viajaron este domingo a Salta son:

Arqueros: Facundo Daffonchio, Fabián Assmann, Diego Rodríguez.

Defensores: Alexis Zárate, Samuel Cáceres, Sergio Ojeda, Lucas Villalba, Julián Velázquez, Gabriel Vallés, Tula, Claudio Morel Rodríguez.

Mediocampistas: Marcelo Vidal, Guillermo Pereira, Fabián Monserrat, Juan Trejo, Leonel Miranda, Federico Mancuello, Martín Zapata.

Delanteros: Francisco Pizzini, Patricio Vidal, Martín Benítez, Daniel Montenegro y Adrián Fernández.

La delegación permanecerá hasta el miércoles 17 en esa provincia, donde se entrenará todos los días en doble turno; por la mañana en el Club Polo y por la tarde en Gimnasia y Tiro.

Cruzado sería titular en Newell´s

ROSARIO -- El entrenador de Newell´s Old Boys, Gerardo Martino, prepara un cambio en el equipo para definir contra Atlético Mineiro en Brasil la semifinal de la Copa Libertadores de América.

Este domingo probó la formación que pondría desde el arranque en Belo Horizonte y el peruano Reinaldo Cruzado se perfila para reemplazar a Pablo Pérez, suspendido.

Sin embargo, permanece la incógnita, ya que también podría ingresar Horacio Orzán en ese lugar.

Así, la alineación tentativa es: Nahuel Guzmán; Marcos Cáceres, Santiago Vergini, Gabriel Heinze, Milton Casco; Cruzado o Orzán, Diego Mateo, Lucas Bernardi; Víctor Figueroa, Ignacio Scocco y Maximiliano Rodríguez.

En el partido de ida, en Rosario, Newell´s se impuso 2-0 con goles de Rodríguez y Scocco, de penal.

Entre tanto, la primera comitiva de hinchas "leprosos" emprendió el viaje a rumbo a tierras brasileñas en micros que salieron del club.

La gente de Newell´s tendrá a su disposición 2.200 entradas, la misma cantidad que recibió la afición del Mineiro en el encuentro de ida.

det kunne da godt være man skulle se lidt flere kampe med velez....

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Costa Rica to rely on experience and youth at Gold Cup

PORTLAND, OR -- Second in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, Costa Rica is hoping to ride its current form to a first-ever Gold Cup title.

Headlining the Ticos roster for the competition is the scoring tandem of Alvaro Saborio from Real Salt Lake and Columbus Crew forward Jairo Arrieta.

In 85 national team appearances, Saborio has 30 goals, good for third all-time on the Ticos scoring list. The 31-year-old forward said he is looking forward to playing Belize at Rio Tinto Stadium in the group stage.

“It’s very exciting to play here, in my stadium and with my fans,” Saborio recently told the website of his club Real Salt Lake , referring to the July 13 game. “Hopefully my fans go with the national team and we can win here.”

Portland Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace will have a similar chance when Costa Rica meets Cuba at JELD-WEN Field on Tuesday.

Costa Rica enters the tournament with a five-game unbeaten streak, which includes a scoreless draw against Mexico in Estadio Azteca on June 11. While the Ticos are excited about the prospects of a fourth-ever qualification to the World Cup, the focus right now is squarely on the Gold Cup.

“You have to fight for it. Our goal is to achieve top rankings, that is our commitment, our desire, our fight and we’re working,” said Colombian-born coach Jorge Luis Pinto, who guided Costa Rica to the UNCAF Copa Centroamericana title in January. “Whoever thinks otherwise you must leave this place to another.”

Costa Rica also features influential midfielder Celso Borges, who scored in a 2-0 win over Panama in the Ticos last match June 18, and veteran defender Michael Umaña, who has 69 caps and is one of four Saprissa players on the roster.

Borges plays for AIK in Sweden and scored a pair of goals in helping lead the Ticos to the 2009 Gold Cup semifinals.

“The team has been working very solid from the [Mexico] tie and I feel that in this process we do have the conditions to win the [Gold] Cup,” he said.

A few players, like defender Juan Diego Madrigal, midfielders Oscar Esteban Granados, Osvaldo Rodriguez and Mauricio Castillo and forwards Kenny Cunningham and Yendrick Ruiz all have less than 10 caps.

Some of the younger players will try to give Pinto something to think about when World Cup qualification continues in September. For that reason, the coach is expecting to tweak his lineup from match to match.

“The competition is different, but it helps us to see players competing,” Pinto said. “If I can rotate four or five per game, that will give a chance to see them all.”

Holden happily back in U.S. fold

PORTLAND, Ore. – Stuart Holden is keenly aware of the importance of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, both from a personal standpoint and from a team perspective.

In 2009, the midfielder made his U.S. National Team debut in the Gold Cup, scoring his first goal against Grenada in Seattle and later scored a dramatic equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Haiti.

It led to Holden’s spot on the 2010 FIFA World Cup roster and to competing in the English Premier League for Bolton Wanderers.

Back in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, Holden realizes it is important to impress national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann with the World Cup one year away. But the 27-year-old said it’s more important to win the tournament after back-to-back losses to Mexico in Gold Cup finals.

“It is a big tournament for me in terms of getting a few more games with the national team and showing Jurgen what I can do,” Holden said before training at JELD-WEN Field. “But in all honesty it’s more about this team and really performing and bringing the Gold Cup back to the United States.”

Holden’s return to the national team, his return to playing competitive soccer, has been long and arduous. He was at the height of his career in 2010-11, helping lead Bolton Wanderers to the FA Cup semifinals.

A horrific tackle by Manchester United’s Jonny Evans, however, resulted in a deep gash that needed 20 stitches and a torn anterior cruciate ligament that needed six months to heal.

After a brief return in Sept. 2011, it was revealed Holden had cartilage damage and was ruled out for another six months. He was finally able to come back to Bolton in January, 16 months after his last appearance and went on a loan to Sheffield Wednesday, playing in four matches

Still, Klinsmann values Holden. It’s why he said he called him up for World Cup qualifiers and why he’s on this Gold Cup squad.

“He’s getting happier every day,” Klinsmann said. “That was our plan. That’s why we brought him in already in the group that played the World Cup qualifiers and we didn’t want him to go on vacation. We wanted him to go through this summer. Now he has the opportunity to put his stamp on this Gold Cup and we are thrilled for him.”

Holden came on as a second-half substitute in a friendly against Guatemala on Friday in San Diego and acquitted himself well, helping the United States to a comfortable Gold Cup tune-up victory.

“It’s just great to see Stuart back in rhythm, back getting more and more confident, more and more settled,” Klinsmann said. “All he needs is games. That performance second half against Guatemala showed you a bit that he can be very effective on the field, he can make a difference.”

Holden isn’t the only reclamation project on the Gold Cup roster. Newly converted left back DaMarcus Beasley is wearing the captain’s armband, Oguchi Onyewu is patrolling central defense and Landon Donovan is back in an influential role in the attacking third.

“I’m going to use this opportunity to get back in the fold and to demonstrate what I’m capable of and what I was capable of doing before and hopefully bring the title of the Gold Cup back to America,” Onyewu said.

The three, along with midfielder Kyle Beckerman, were on the same 1999 U.S. Under-17 national team residency program. Now they’re teammates again at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“Once you get your shot, you have to take it by both hands and grab it,” Beasley said. “I was in camp before, but I never started a game, I never got an opportunity to play for Jurgen. Once I got the opportunity, I felt this is my chance and right now I’m just running with it.”