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Mexico sticking by their man: Keeping Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre as manager

The FMF is sticking by their man Chepo.

Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre has been on the hot seat for most of 2013 and it appears as if he will stay there because Mexico have decided not to fire him. The FMF met on Monday and decided that the embattled manager will stay on as El Tri´s manager, much to the chagrin of the team´s supporters.

Mexico have been in a tailspin all year, winning just five of 17 matches in 2013 and struggling in every competition they have entered. Moreover, they have been a disorganized and unconvincing mess in doing so.

El Tri sit just third in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, five points off the pace set by the U.S. and only two points away from fifth place, which would not qualify them for the World Cup. The Confederations Cup ended in an early exit as two losses to open the tournament eliminated them before they could even play their third group stage match. And the Gold Cup wasn´t any better, as they lost twice to Panama, including a semifinal ouster that saw them eliminated from the tournament by a non-United States CONCACAF team for the first time since 2001.

Their problems in qualifying -- especially at the once-intimidating Estadio Azteca, where they have managed just three scoreless draws in three matches -- led many to call for Chepo´s firing in June. While chants of "Fuera Chepo" filled the Azteca in their March draw with the U.S., it didn´t seem like a real possibility until June. That´s when another home draw, this time to Costa Rica, really turned up the heat. But the FMF stuck with him, and did so again after the Confederations Cup. They are doing so again now, after the Gold Cup disaster.

Some have speculated that the FMF have stuck with Chepo because of a lack of choice. Their traditional emergency manager, Javier Aguirre, is comfortable at Espanyol and they have already been turned down by Victor Manuel Vucetich before. With the Liga MX season in full swing, it may be tough to poach a domestic manager at this point so while the FMF may have been happy to stick with Chepo in June, their decision to do so leaves them in a bit of a bind now if they did want to go in another direction.

Next up for Mexico, aside from a August friendly, will be a pair of World Cup qualifiers in September that could make or break their qualifying campaign. They will host Honduras, a tough match that is even tougher considering their home struggles thus far at home, and then head to Columbus Crew Stadium, where they will play the top-of-the-Hex U.S. in a stadium they have never won in. If they can´t take more than two points from those matches then they will have to face the very real possibility that they will not qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

It´s remarkable to think that two years ago, Chepo was being praised for taking a broken program and turning it into CONCACAF´s best, having demolished the U.S. in the Gold Cup final, but here they are, an unmitigated mess; so much so that Chepo being retained is a shock.

Chepo has made it clear that he will no resign. That puts the onus on the FMF and they are giving him another chance -- his second, third or fourth depending on who you ask -- and he has to deliver because Mexico´s World Cup hopes are on the line.

Antonio Valencia publicly mourns ´brother´ Benitez

Manchester United´s Antonio Valencia has led tributes to his ´brother´ Christian Benitez, who suffered a fatal heart attack on Monday.

Benitez had made his debut for Qatar Stars League side El Jaish on Sunday before complaining of stomach pains and being rushed to hospital.

Valencia and Benitez were teammates at Ecuadorian club El Nacional from 2004 to 2005, with the pair clinching a Clausura title and making their Ecuadorean national team debuts in their second year together.

With tributes flowing in from around the world, Valencia posted several pictures of Benitez on social media accompanied by a series of emotional messages.

"Brother, God is with your family, we love you," Valencia tweeted from his official account.

"This strong pain you´ve caused me will stay forever my brother, but we love you.

"Please brother. Someone please say no."

Benitez, 27, spent the 2009/10 season on loan at then-English Premier League club Birmingham and several of his opponents at the time, including Lucas Leiva, Pablo Zabaleta and Craig Gardner, tweeted their condolences.

Birmingham paid tribute with an Instagram picture of the striker and posted that they will hold a tribute at their first Championship match on Saturday.

"RIP Christian ´Chucho´ Benitez. Forever in our hearts," the club wrote.

"The thoughts of all at Birmingham City Football Club are with the friends and family of Chucho following this very sad news.

"The club will be looking to mark the passing of Chucho at St Andrew´s ahead of this Saturday´s fixture against Watford."

Diego Maradona ´kicked man in groin´

A photographer has filed a police complaint accusing Argentina legend Diego Maradona of kicking him in the groin.

Enrique Medina, a paparazzo for celebrity magazine Gente, claims the attack happened outside Maradona´s father´s home as he waited to take a picture of the former midfielder on Sunday night.

Medina clams the 52-year-old came out of the house, charged towards him "like he was taking a free-kick" and kicked him so hard that he "doubled over in pain".

"This wasn´t the kick of an ordinary person," Medina told the Associated Press. "This is from someone used to kicking… He seemed very angry, out of his mind. Like something had happened in his father´s house."

Former Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors star Maradona, who lifted the World Cup as his country´s captain in 1986, has had a long-running feud with the press.

In 1994, he was given a two-year suspended sentence after firing an air gun in the direction of reporters gathered outside his house.

And while manager of the Argentina national team, he responded to his critics after his side sealed their place at the 2010 World Cup by telling a press conference to "suck it".

The controversial figure´s last job in football was as head coach for Al Wasl in Dubai, and he now works as a sporting ambassador for the Gulf city.

Rest In Peace, Chucho

Before his untimely death on Monday morning, Christian "Chucho" Benitez was a striker capable of taking over a match and completely turning it around. With his speed and athleticism, the Ecuadorian player was a force of nature near the goal, powering balls into the net while leaving defenders helplessly flailing in his wake. Benitez died in Qatar, where he had transferred recently to play for club El Jiash. He was 27 years old. The cause of death has yet to be officially confirmed.

Benitez´s mark on Mexican soccer was indelible, as he won league championships with both Santos Laguna and Club America. His impressive career began in Ecuador with El Nacional. He also had a short stint in England with Birmingham City, but it was in Mexico where Benitez reached his career apex.

At Santos Laguna, where Benitez arrived in 2007, he made an immediate impression. His play led Santos Laguna to the 2008 Clausura title, and he was voted the best player in the league that season. He played the longest stint of his career with the Laguneros, although some of that period covered his loan time in England.

When Benitez left Santos Laguna for an eye-popping transfer fee of ten million dollars, many speculated that he was not worth the cost, even to wealthy Club America. Benitez proved his value, however, scoring at a record pace for Las Aguilas and leading them to the 2013 Clausura title. He served as a mentor and model for Mexican forward Raul Jimenez, and the two combined well in a formidable striking tandem.

Benitez not only left Mexico as a champion, but also as the league´s top goal-scorer in each of this last three seasons there. It wasn’t that goalkeepers couldn´t see him coming, because Benitez wasn’t ever a "fantasia" type of player, putting tricky spins and bends on the ball or dribbling magically through rows of defenders. Benitez was more like a missile focused on his one mission: scoring. Quite often, he would time his runs perfectly, chase down passes on counterattacks and bang the ball into the goal. He had a knack for scoring on headers as well, despite his relatively small stature at 5´6".

In his home country of Ecuador, Benitez was sporting royalty. Not only was he married to Liseth, the daughter of Ecuadorian international Cleber Chala, but he was also the son of Ermen Benitez, an Ecuadorian national team player in his own right.

"Chucho" Benitez appeared 58 times for Ecuador, scoring 24 goals. He played in the 2006 World Cup for Ecuador, though he did not score any goals.

Friends and former teammates lamented his loss through press releases and social media outlets on Monday.

Fellow Ecuadorian international Antonio Valencia posted a tweet in which he called Benitez his "brother" and expressed his condolences to the family of Benitez.

Aldo de Nigris, another top Mexican striker, posted on Twitter, "It´s really sad news and hurts my heart. Memories come back of Chucho Benitez. Great person."

Club America administrators expressed both their shock at the news and concern for his family.

Veteran Gerrado Torrado may have put the overall reaction into words best with his message on Twitter. "Rest in peace, Chucho Benitez; the whole family of futbol will miss you."

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CONCACAF Gold Cup gets thumbs up

CHICAGO, Illinois — Even those seasoned football executives who have seen it all have given the ongoing CONCACAF Gold Cup

a passing grade.

They all agree that the 2013 edition of CONCACAF´s flagship tournament was an organisational, attendance, corporate and
footballing success.

Reflecting on the Gold Cup prior to today´s final which will see the USA taking on Panama at Soldier Field at 3:00 pm, members of the CONCACAF family, and even those outside of it, are beaming with pride of a tournament that is poised to exceed all expectation in the final analysis.

FIFA Director and President Joseph ´Sepp´ Blatter´s point man here, Walter Gagg, deemed it a "tremendous organisational success".

"What was also wonderful was the high level of spectators for soccer matches in the USA. We (at FIFA) can be very proud of what CONCACAF has done. I have seen many World Cups starting in 1982 and I can confirm that CONCACAF has done a wonderful job with the local organising committees from the different cities," the Swiss told the Sunday Observer.

President of the Cuban Football Federation, Luis Hernandez, took particular pride in the high quality of play among the 12 teams.

"What was good is that we had the best 12 teams and the best players from CONCACAF. Some big-name players didn´t come, but still we had 96 players who play outside of our region, and that´s why the quality of play was so good.

"Also, we had a high-level event and it was great to see the participation of fans which was very good compared to the past," he said through an interpreter.

Puerto Rico football boss, Eric Labrador(!), said the championship "exceeded all expectations".

"We demonstrated that we can do a high-level tournament, and with our president (Jeffrey Webb) and general secretary (Enrique Sanz), we showed that we have the people to lead, the organisation, the professionalism, the marketing, the money and corporate support to stage a big competition.
"Now I think South America and Europe are watching what CONCACAF is doing. But all of this is a result of the new vision of the new CONCACAF and the new leadership we have," he said.

Grenada Football Association President Cheney Joseph said the Gold Cup experience has been "mind-boggling".

"As one who has worked as a match commissioner at the quarter-finals and semi-finals, I must say that the general co-ordination has been spotless.
I must say the president and the general secretary have done a great job finding the individuals who have been working with them. The thing is, most of these people are not new to football, so it must be the leadership that has inspired them to work the way they have," noted Joseph.

Meanwhile, CONCACAF President Webb told this newspaper that the success was intrinsic in a widerange of fundamental elements.

"We are very blessed and fortunate to have a very successful tournament so far... we believe the success has come because we were able to keep the fans engaged, plus we had intriguing football...a lot of the teams rose to the occasion with great football.

"Looking back at the atmosphere in Dallas, that was like a final. But on Sunday (today) it has come down to two teams — USA and Panama — setting the stage for a thrilling final," said the Cayman national.
He said from an organisational standpoint, those charged with carrying out the mandate of the tournament have been on from the first kick-off.

"All 13 cities have been great from the bid process all the way through... The various mayors´ offices, the volunteers, the staff, the level of play and organisation have been tremendous," Webb said.

For today´s final, a sold-out crowd is forecast at the 61,000-capacity Soldier Field, home of the NFL´s Chicago Bears.

The Gold Cup has seen record numbers at the quarter-finals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta (54,229) and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore (70,540).
In the semi-finals at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, 81,410 filled out the massive venue.

During the preliminary stage, ticket sales were encouraging as well. In Pasadena 56,822 were in attendance; 25,460 in New Jersey; 18,752 in Portland; 28,354 in Seattle; 28,713 in Miami; 17,590 in Salt Lake City; Denver, 25,985; Houston, 21,783; and 25,435 in Hartford.

Based on those figures, the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup total ticket sales look certain to exceed the 500,000 mark when the final tally is done.
The Gold Cup and US$1 million will go to the champions.

Victoria adds South American flavor for upcoming season

LA CEIBA, Honduras – CD Victoria has become more South American for the 2013 Apertura. The Honduran side has signed two South American players before a season in which it will compete in both domestic and the CONCACAF Champions League play.

Argentine head coach Héctor Vargas has brought in one of his countrymen to the blue and whites in the form of Leandro Guaita. The 27-year-old forward has had stints with clubs all over the globe, including Basel (Switzerland), San Marino and Piacenza (both Italy) and Independiente de Valle (Ecuador).

The La Ceiba-based team inked Uruguayan Diego Ramos, a 21-year-old winger, who played college soccer in the United States with Darton College.

Four others have also joined the 2012 Apertura runner-up: Efraín Ricardo López, a winger, who comes over from from Real Sociedad; midfielder Edwin León, 24, forward Marlon Mencía, 27, both arrive from Yoro. For veteran winger Abner Méndez, Victoria is his seventh Honduran team. All four players have signed one-year contracts.

Victoria continues its pre-season program this week with friendlies against fellow Champions League qualifier Heredia of Guatemala on Wednesday and July 24th.

Vargas’ team starts its league campaign on August 8on the road against Marathon and will make its CONCACAF Champions League debut on August 20at home against Mexico’s Club Tijuana in Group 7.

Volkswagen boss urges Wolfsburg to sign Gustavo

Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkom has urged Wolfsburg to make a move for Bayern Munich star Luiz Gustavo.

The Brazilian has been linked with a switch to Dieter Hecking´s side this summer although he has denied that he wants to leave the Allianz Arena.

But Winterkom, whose company Volkswagen owns the club, suggests that every effort should be made to capture the defensive midfielder.

"I say, if a player is on the market, efforts should be made to get him," the 66-year-old told Bild when asked about the player.

The 26-year-old, who joined Bayern from Hoffenheim for €17 million in 2011, has a contract until June 2015.

But Bayern have reportedly made the Seleção star surplus to requirements after the arrival of Pep Guardiola and Thiago Alcantara.

Wolfsburg are said to be leading the race although interest from English clubs have been reported in the media in recent weeks.

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Marotta: Zuniga not arriving, Isla staying at Juve

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has revealed that the club will not be signing Juan Zuniga, while he expects Mauricio Isla to stay.

Isla made just 11 league appearances last season and is currently a target for Inter, but Marotta has insisted the Chile international hopes to remain with the reigning Serie A champions.

"Isla is our player,” the official told Sky Sport Italia. "I’m not denying Inter’s approach for him, but, with no substitute, he will remain ours.

"He’s told us that he would like to stay and, with boss Antonio Conte’s blessing, he is a Juventus player."

As for Napoli defender Zuniga, who played a prominent role in his side´s second-placed Serie A finish last term, Marotta added: "We have a good relationship with Napoli and we accept that they will not be selling him."

The Italian went on to explain that Juve are unlikely to target further signings, with trimming their bloated squad now the priority.

"I don’t think we’ll sign anyone else. We’ve added to sections of the team that needed it such as the attack and defence," he added.

"We brought in a lot of players at the start of the summer, we have built a competitive team. In these tough economical times for Italian football, we have invested well.”

“We have an attack that needs reducing because six players of that level are a lot. We want five, perhaps with a youngster to develop.

“The hope is that we find a positive solution for us. The requests will need analysing, but the desire of the player is more fundamental than that of the club.”

Rodrigo Battaglia se suma a Racing

BUENOS AIRES -- El volante Rodrigo Battaglia se convirtió este lunes en el cuarto refuerzo de Racing, entidad a la que llega a préstamo por una temporada.

El ex futbolista de Huracán, que era dueño de su pase, llega para ocupar la vacante que hasta hace pocos días parecía que iba a cubrir Fabián Vargas.

Pero ante la negativa del colombiano, quien finalmente se sumó al Barcelona de Ecuador, los directivos académicos comenzaron a buscar una alternativa y finalmente llegaron a un acuerdo con Battaglia. El mediocampista, de 22 años, jugó únicamente en Huracán, club en el que marcó cuatro goles, y fue parte del seleccionado argentino Sub 20 que disputó el Mundial de la categoría en 2011, en Colombia.

Por otra parte, el plantel que dirige Luis Zubeldía realizó hoy tareas regenerativas tras el amistoso disputado anoche frente a River Plate. Mientras, los directivos esperan concretar el regreso de Valentín Viola, aunque aún hay diferencias económicas con el Sporting de Lisboa.