Snak

Young Arriola makes mark at Club Tijuana

TIJUANA, Mexico -– Paul Arriola sprinted to the sideline with arms spread, hands above his head pointing at the sky. The Club Tijuana striker was then corralled and swallowed by a swarm of teammates in celebration.

Just minutes after entering the game as a second-half substitute, the 18-year-old scored his first goal in a competitive match as a professional footballer. It came against Monterrey, winner of the last three CONCACAF club titles, in a LIGA MX match on August 17.

The Chula Vista, California, native took to Twitter to reflect on the scoring play.

“A night I will never forget. Scored my official first professional goal. Hard work pays off and never stop dreaming. Thank you everyone.”

The Xoloitzcuintles newest star might want to go back and add a new post.

He scored again in his next game. This time, during a 3-2 win over CD Victoria in the CONCACAF Champions League, his first international outing. Arriola gave Club Tijuana a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, simply tapping in an Emmanuel Cerda pass beyond goalkeeper John Boddy.

It was a move teammate and former childhood coach Herculez Gomez had discussed with the young Arriola. Gomez, who coached at a youth club in California several years ago, joked about it on Twitter.

“Remember what I told you, if in the game you ever don’t know what to do, just kick it in the net,” Gomez’ Tweet said.

The United States youth player has become a game-changer since making his debut for the club in a July 6 friendly against current LIGA MX champion Club America at San Diego’s Petco Park. He netted after coming on as a 54th minute substitute.

Arriola has played 63 minutes in the 2013 Apertura, with one goal and two assists. His impact, though, is almost always immediately positive. Three minutes after being subbed in to a match against visiting Atlas on July 19, he assisted on Dario Benedetto goal.

The speedy striker did it again against Morelia on Aug. 3. He came on for U.S. international Edgar Castillo in the 65th minute and set up a Fidel Martinez for a goal seconds later.

Three days later, in his first professional start, Arriola had a few shots at goal in a CONCACAF Champions League against El Salvador’s Luis Angel Firpo

Club Tijuana, of course, hopes Arriola has more reasons for which Tweet. It might just give him another opportunity when the side returns to Champions League play, hosting Firpo on August 28 at the Estadio Caliente.

Olimpia, KC to meet Tuesday in key CCL game

KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- An early top-of-the-table clash in Group 2 is one of the highlights of the next round of games in the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) as Olimpia hosts Sporting Kansas City Tuesday night in Tegucigalpa.

Both teams enter their second game after similar success to open the Group Stage with both winning on the road against Real Esteli. Sporting Kansas City, however, currently sits atop Group 2 on goal difference, winning 2-0 at Estadio Independencia on August 7, while Olimpia left Nicaragua with a 1-0 victory two weeks later.

Since securing maximum points from its first-ever CCL match, Sporting Kansas City returned to Major League Soccer play, defeating the New England Revolution, 3-0, at Sporting Park and suffering a pair of 1-0 losses on the road – at the San Jose Earthquakes and, most recently, at the Chicago Fire on Friday night.

“We gave up a very amateur goal early in the first half. It gave them some life and we were chasing ever since,” Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes said after the match. “I thought we created more than enough chances to get back in it. We actually really had some good chances and the frustrating thing is we didn’t score. That’s really on us.”

The good news, Vermes said, is that his club has little time to dwell on its recent domestic defeats with a huge Champions League clash in Honduras on the horizon.

“After winning the Open Cup last year, that’s the world we’re in,” Vermes commented. “We want to be in the competitions. It’s exciting for us to be involved in that. We need to continue to stay in form for the league as well, not just the Champions League. Good thing is, we have a lot of games left and we have to get back on it quick.”

Olimpia, meanwhile, returned to its winning ways in the Honduran Apetura, beating Parrillas One on Saturday, 1-0, with Antony Lozano scoring the lone goal in the 67th minute.

What is even bigger news for Olimpia is that it appears standout forward Roger Rojas, 23, looks set to join English Premier League side West Ham United on a one-year loan with an option to buy. Media reports in England claim that the Honduras international, who was in the Olimpia starting lineup on Saturday, could make his move official as early as Monday.

The Lions, who recently sold midfielder Alexander Lopez to the Houston Dynamo, are unbeaten in five of their last six CCL outings.

Liga MX week in review: Another coach sacked

For the second week in a row, the main action of Liga MX took place off the field as Monterrey let coach Victor Manuel Vucetich go. It’s rather a quick and steep fall from grace for Vucetich, who was offered the national team post in 2010 and recently was considered one of the top contenders to replace current El Tri coach Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre. Vucetich led his club to three CONCACAF Champions League titles and two league championships, but Monterrey’s poor start to the season was his undoing.

Los Rayados have only earned six points thus far. They lost 3-1 to Leon on Saturday, in what would be Vucetich’s last game. It was only last season, with the striker duo of Humberto Suazo and Aldo de Nigris clicking along, that Monterrey made a deep run into the playoffs despite being one of the lower seeds in the liguilla.

It’s likely both Vucetich and De Nigris think of that time earlier this year as “the good old days”, because while the coach has been fired for Monterrey’s poor results, De Nigris, the team’s former striker, is now playing for a squad two points below that low standard. Guadalajara has only four points, and so far, the coaching change from Benjamin Galindo to Juan Carlos Ortega has not yielded positive results in Liga MX.

Chivas lost 2-0 to Queretaro on Friday. The inclusion of Marco Fabian , after all the fuss about his leaving, then not leaving, had little effect. Under Ortega, Chivas did manage to defeat Dorados de Sinaloa mid-week in Copa MX action.

While some of the most storied teams in Liga MX are struggling, there’s no such issue for the defending champions. After defeating Morelia 3-1 on Saturday, Club America now lead the league despite having played two games fewer than most of the other clubs. Luis Angel Mendoza was the hero for the Aquilas Saturday, scoring two goals with an assist on Saturday.

For sheer entertainment value, the lively 1-1 draw between Tijuana and Santos Laguna was hard to beat. The result was fair, though no doubt frustrating for the Xolos fans, who wanted the full home points. They had them via a first-half Fidel Martinez strike until Jesus Alonso Escoboza equalized with barely two minutes left. The result keeps Santos as one of only three unbeaten teams (the others are America and Leon).

Another game with back-and-forth action that ended up square was Tigres and Chiapas FC. The 2-2 finish was no doubt especially tough on fans of the Tigres. Not only did they take a 2-0 lead, but also built enough attacking opportunities to add more. However, those chances were wasted, and that haunted the Tigres players when Chiapas managed to make good with goals by Mauricio Romero to pull even.

At this point in the season, with seven games played, neither Pumas or Atlante has managed to win a Liga MX match. However, both squa++ds managed to earn a point. Atlante held Pachuca to a 1-1 draw, while Pumas did the same with Atlas.

After their hot start in league action, Veracruz is definitely beginning to flame out. Toluca took them down, 3-1, with different players contributing to every goal. Though the two clubs are now even in the league table on total points, Toluca is ahead due to goal differential.

Unlike last season, Cruz Azul isn’t leaving it until late to make a move up the table. With a late goal from Joao Rojas, they snatched a 2-1 victory from Puebla, which had led for most of the game. Los Cementeros are now tied for the league lead, though goal differential puts them in fourth.

With more than ten points separating the top (America) from the bottom (Atlante), the priorities of clubs at the ends of the spectrum are starting to change. While some push for more points to gain a playoff advantage, others fight desperately for survival and may take extreme measures. It may be that next week brings about yet another coaching dismissal.

Papa vuelve a ser titular en Vélez

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor Emiliano Papa se recuperó de un cuadro de lipotimia y volverá a ser titular el jueves ante Belgrano en Liniers, el encuentro de vuelta por los octavos de final de la Copa Sudamericana.

El lateral por izquierda, quien jugó su último partido el pasado 15 de agosto en la ida en Córdoba, donde se impuso Belgrano por 1-0, ingresará seguramente por el juvenil Facundo Cardozo, quien custodió su posición ante All Boys y Lanús.

Por lo pronto, Papa participó este lunes del entrenamiento de fútbol que el entrenador de Vélez, Ricardo Gareca, programó para el regreso a los entrenamientos luego del empate 0-0 del pasado sábado ante el equipo "granate" por la cuarta fecha del torneo Inicial.

Además, Gareca tendría decidido el ingreso de Juan Sabia como segundo marcador central en reemplazo del suspendido Sebastián Domínguez y el del delantero Ezequiel Rescaldani en lugar del colombiano Jonatan Copete, mientras espera la recuperación de un desgarro de Mauro Zárate.

De esta manera, es muy probables que Vélez reciba a Belgrano el jueves a las 21.50 en el estadio José Amalfitani con Sebastián Sosa; Fabián Cubero, Fernando Tobio, Sabia, Papa; Agustín Allione, Francisco Cerro, Alejandro Cabral, Federico Insúa; Rescaldani y Lucas Pratto.

Insúa, Cubero,Allione y Tobio se movieron este lunes en forma diferenciada por diversas cargas propias del encuentro ante Lanús pero no tendrán problemas en jugar con Belgrano.

Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Cerro Porteno maintain lead

Cerro Porteno have maintained their four point lead on top of the Paraguayan Division Profesional with a 2-1 win over Olimpia.

Striker Guillermo Beltran got Cerro Porteno off to superb start after only 10 minutes before Angel Romero continued their momentum going into half-time with a 43rd minute strike.

Olimpia fought back in the second-half, pulling a goal back through Diego Centurion but they could not find an equaliser.

The hard-earned victory means Cerro Porteno remain unbeaten and four points clear of second-placed General Diaz, who came from behind to defeat Rubio Nu 2-1.

Diaz had a terrible start, going behind after six minutes to Francisco Vera´s strike.

But Diaz regrouped in the second-half, equalising through Diego Doldan in the 65th minute before winning the game with a penalty from Cristian Martinez four minutes from time.

Nacional Asuncion secured their first win of the season with a 5-2 triumph against Deportivo Carapegua.

Asuncion claimed a dream start, as they scored in the first minute from Cesar Caceres Canete´s penalty before Alfredo Mazacotte doubled the lead on 9 minutes.

When Canete scored his second goal in the 16th minute the game was effectively over despite Cristian Ayala pulling a goal back for Carapegua on the stroke of half-time.

Asuncion added two more goals in the second-half through Juan Arguello and Marcos Prieto while Ruben Caceras scored a consolation goal for Carapegua.

In other results, Guarani drew 2-2 with Sportivo Luqueno, Deportivo Capiata won 2-0 over Libertad and Sol de America defeated Cerro Porteno PF 2-0.


Mål

http://www.youtube.com/w…G1dN21gpT7M

Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Gimnasia win third straight

Gimnasia La Plata made it three straight wins to start the Argentine Primera Division as they defeated Belgrano 2-1 on the road.

Federico Rasic´s second-half brace secured the three points for Gimnasia after Belgrano took an early lead through Jorge Valazquez.

The home fans were delighted when Valazquez gave Belgrano an unexpected advantage after only six minutes.

Gimnasia failed to reply until after half-time when Rasic struck four minutes after the restart from Fernando Pereyra´s assist.

The striker then set up Rasic for his brace in the 71st minute as Gimnasia kept their 100 per cent record alive.

Three points for Gimnasia have put them into second position in the standings behind Argentinos Juniors on goals scored but having played one game less.

Argentinos defeated Tigre 1-0 in front of their home fans thanks to Daniel Villalva´s 77th-minute strike.

Two goals from Martin Rolle propelled Arsenal to a 2-0 triumph at bottom-placed Racing Club.

It was the fourth loss in a row for Racing, who had no answer to Rolle´s 63rd and 88th minute goals.

Quilmes had a lead pegged back twice before finally seeing off San Lorenzo 3-2 at the Estadio Centenario.

Fernando Telechea and Luciano Abecasis put Quilmes into the lead on separate occasions but the efforts were cancelled out by San Lorenzo´s Gonzalo Veron and Martin Cauteruccio.

It was left up to Quilmes substitute Arnaldo Gonzalez to score the winner in the 77th minute.

In other results, Guido Carrillo´s double was crucial in Estudiantes´ 2-0 win over Boca Juniors, Colon travelled to River Plate and emerged 2-1 victors, while Olimpia and All Boys fought out a 1-1 draw.

Rosario Central left it late as they triumphed 1-0 against Godoy Cruz, David Trezeguet scored as Newell´s Old Boys won 2-0 at Atletico Rafaela and there was a goalless result between Velez Sarsfield and Lanus.


Mål

http://www.youtube.com/w…17eAoL3INug

http://www.youtube.com/w…lbJMfzz96Nc

Ischia quiere ser técnico de Racing

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador Carlos Ischia afirmó hoy que le "interesaría" dirigir a Racing, al tiempo que se bajó de una posible candidatura para reemplazar a Miguel Brindisi en Independiente al argumentar que él no dirige "equipos del ascenso".

"Lo de Racing me interesaría. Creo que tienen jugadores y plantel para pensar en apuntar arriba", dijo Ischia en una entrevista con radio FM Rock and Pop.

Además, al ser consultado sobre el posible interés de Independiente, Ischia respondió sin vacilar y se autoexcluyó: "Yo soy sincero y ya lo he dicho, no es por pedantería pero yo equipos del ascenso no dirijo, porque no estoy acostumbrado a trabajar en el ascenso y no conozco a muchos jugadores, tampoco las canchas".

Ischia es uno de los entrenadores que está en la lista de la dirigencia de Racing, junto a Sergio Batista y Claudio Borghi, para reemplazar a Luis Zubeldía.

A Borghi lo seduce ir a Racing

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador Claudio Borghi, uno de los candidatos para reemplazar a Luis Zubeldía en Racing, admitió que lo "seduce" la posibilidad de dirigir al club de Avellaneda, del cual es hincha, aunque afirmó que "hay que ver qué es lo que quieren" los dirigentes.

"Seducir seduce siempre, pero hay que ver lo que quieren para saber si uno está capacitado para hacer lo que quieren", dijo Borghi en una entrevista con radio Del Plata.

Con pasado como técnico de Independiente pero confeso hincha de Racing, Borghi contó que dirigentes de la "Academia" hablaron con su representante, pero con él no se comunicó "nadie".

"Hay varios motivos por los cuales Racing seduce, pero no estoy muy de acuerdo con la salida de los entrenadores. Cuando uno habla de proyecto tiene que tener claro lo que quieren de un entrenador", sostuvo Borghi, en alusión a la decisión de la dirigencia de interrumpir el contrato de Zubeldía, a poco más de un mes haberlo renovado.

"El problema es que a veces en Argentina y en otros países priman los resultados", afirmó el exentrenador de Argentinos Juniors, Boca y el seleccionado chileno, entre otros equipos.

Por último, sobre su sentimiento por el club, contestó: "Soy hincha de Racing y nací hincha de Racing, pero eso no me califica para ser entrenador".

Borghi y Carlos Ischia son los máximos candidatos para reemplazar a Zubeldía.

Cantero se reunió con De Felippe

BUENOS AIRES -- El presidente de Independiente, Javier Cantero, se reunió esta noche con el entrenador Omar De Felippe y mañana por la mañana lo hará con José "Pepe" Romero, y entre esas dos opciones definirá quién será el reemplazante de Miguel Brindisi al frente del equipo.

Cantero no quiso perder tiempo en medio de la tormentosa situación deportiva e institucional que atraviesa el club y, algunas horas después de oficializar el alejamiento de Brindisi, se reunió con uno de los candidatos a hacerse cargo del equipo.

El titular del "rojo" y el ex técnico de Quilmes se encontraron esta noche, pasadas las 21, en un hotel del centro porteño.

Pero Cantero no se quedará con esa sola opción y mañana desayunará con Romero, que es el otro candidato para comandar el destino futbolístico del equipo en la B Nacional.

Sin embargo, en la habitual danza de nombres que se fueron agregando a la lista se sumaron Pedro Monzón, actualmente en Platense, y Darío Franco, que hasta hace poco tiempo dirigió a la Universidad de Chile.

De todas maneras, según confiaron a DyN fuentes del club, el reemplazante de Brindisi saldría de entre De Felippe y Romero.

Pese a que, según explicó, siempre optó por darle tiempo a los directores técnicos que llegaron al club, tales los casos de Cristian Díaz y Américo Gallego, Cantero sostuvo que por el momento y los muy malos resultados en lo que va de la B Nacional, debían tomar una determinación para intentar cambiar el rumbo.

"A casos excepcionales, medidas excepcionales", justificó la decisión Cantero, tras elogiar a Brindisi y a su cuerpo técnico.

En esa conferencia de prensa, en la que al igual que en Racing también estuvo presente el entrenador que dejaba su cargo, Cantero señaló que se iba a reunir con sectores de la oposición para escuchar su postura en relación con quién debía dirigir al equipo.

Sin embargo, las distintas agrupaciones críticas a la actual conducción evitaron responder al llamado de Cantero argumentando que "nunca" escuchó sus propuestas, por lo que el presidente decidió dar un primer paso y se reunió con De Felippe.

En esa misma conferencia de prensa, Cantero afirmó que tiene "fuerzas" para seguir al frente al club, pese a que muchos hinchas y las agrupaciones opositoras pretenden que de un paso al costado y haya elecciones anticipadas. "Me sobran fuerzas para seguir", remarcó Cantero en el predio de Villa Domínico.

Sin mucho tiempo para pensar, Cantero y su núcleo más cercano en la dirigencia definirán al nuevo entrenador, que firmaría esta semana pero debutaría en la sexta fecha, frente a Huracán.

Sea cual fuere el elegido, será la primera vez que se haga cargo de un club de los denominados grandes. De Felippe tuvo muy buenas experiencias en Olimpo de Bahía Blanca y Quilmes, en tanto que Romero disfrutó de muy buenos seis años en All Boys, club con el que logró el ascenso de Primera B a la B Nacional y luego a la máxima categoría.

Pizzi, tras la caída ante Quilmes

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de San Lorenzo, Juan Antonio Pizzi, lamentó este lunes que su equipo está fallando a la hora de defender acciones de pelota parada, pero valoró la actitud del equipo.

"Hay que reconocer que cometemos muchos errores en acciones de pelota parada, tenemos que trabajar en corregir eso porque nos viene pasando en los últimos partidos", arrancó el técnico.

Y agregó: "Si bien es cierto que nos falta altura en el plantel es algo a lo que tenemos que encontrarle la vuelta. Estoy dispuesto a cambiar los métodos, no soy ´Juan zona´, pero la única forma de terminar con estas fallas es trabajando".

"Lo que no se puede negar es que a este equipo le sobra actitud. Hoy remontamos dos veces una desventaja ante un rival complicado, en una cancha difícil. Estamos pagando caro errores puntuales, pero, repito, la única forma de salir de esto es sumando", continuó.

Finalmente comentó que "el torneo recién está empezando y los equipos que en principio eran candidatos, todavía no se han acomodado. Falta mucho".