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Toluca adds Ponce, Orrantia for 2014 push

TOLUCA, Mexico – Jesus Vallejo Gonzalez defined Toluca’s 2014 Clausura intentions, when he introduced new player additions Miguel Ponce and Carlos Orrantia at a press conference on Thursday.

"As is customary, I want to present to each the shirt, which implies that the commitment of the club is always to play a leading role and always be in a playoff, and why not make the objective in this tournament to be in the final and try to obtain the 11th title," said the club’s president.

The Red Devils came close to capturing the 2013 Apertura crown, falling in the semifinals narrowly to eventual runner-up Club America, 3-2 on aggregate. They also went a perfect 4-0-0 in CONCACAF Champions League group-stage play to secure a quarterfinal meeting next year against the San Jose Earthquakes.

By enhancing its roster with experienced youth, Toluca is positioned to contest the upcoming season on multiple fronts.

Ponce arrives from Guadalajara, where he played 95 games in the Mexican top flight since 2009. The left back also appeared in nine matches over two editions of the Copa Libertadores and took the field on three occasions during 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League.

Born in the United States, the 24-year-old was part of Mexico squads that won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament and was champion of the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying competition.

He made his full international debut for Mexico at the 2011 Copa America, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 loss against Peru. Ponce netted once in two 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup outings.

Midfielder Orrantia leaves Pumas and brings extensive CONCACAF Champions League experience with him to the two-time confederation champion, having made 11 total appearances in the 2009-10 and 2011-12 tournaments.

Despite being only 22-years-old, he has already competed in 83 first-division games.

Toluca, which last lifted the domestic trophy in 2010, will open the Clausura with a visit to Pachuca on January 4.

Pellerano acquisition boosts Club Tijuana roster

TIJUANA, Mexico – Club Tijuana announced Thursday that it has acquired central defender Hernan Dario Pellerano from Spain’s UD Almeria on a transfer. The move strengthens the Xolos ahead of the Liga MX Clausura, as well as their bid for a CONCACAF Champions League title.

Pellerano will be joining his brother, Cristian Alberto, who has been with the northern Mexico side since 2012.

"I am very grateful to Almeria for facilitating things,” said Pellerano. “This was a decision made with heart and for family reasons. My brother and I wanted to play together and now we have the opportunity.”

The 29-year-old Argentine joined Almeria in 2008, scoring on his debut against Athletic Bilbao and making 13 appearances during the current La Liga season.

Pellerano started his professional career in Argentina with Velez Sarsfield and was part of its 2005 Clausura winning squad.

Club Tijuana will face the LA Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals next year.

Alajuelense captures Costa Rican title, CCL berth

HEREDIA, Costa Rica – After consecutive scoreless draws in the two-legged final, Alajuelense outlasted host Herediano 5-3 on penalty kicks on Sunday to capture the 2013 Costa Rican Invierno title and qualify for the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League.

The Manudos lifted the trophy for a 29th time, equaling the mark set by Saprissa in 2010.

A capacity crowd of nearly 8,000 at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero witnessed a tense affair between two evenly-matched sides that, in many ways, mirrored the first leg.

Very few solid scoring opportunities were produced, especially in a first half that saw neither team risk making a series changing error.

The match opened up and became more fluid following the break, as both sides looked to grab the game-winning goal in regulation time.

In the 50th minute, Minor Diaz’s header was saved by Alajuelense goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton.

Fifteen minutes later, Herediano goalkeeper Leonel Moreira returned the favor, making a tremendous stop off an effort from Honduran international Jerry Palacios.

The game went to extra time and, eventually, penalties were required to determine the champion.

In the second round of the shootout, Herediano’s Keilor Soto sent his attempt over the crossbar, while Cristian Oviedo converted his penalty in the fifth round to give Alajuelense the honors.

The triumph capped a memorable year for Alajuelense. It also won at Mexican power Club America, 1-0, on October 22 to clinch a place in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, where it will face Panama’s Arabe Unido in March.

NOTES: Alajuelense has won five of the last seven Costa Rican titles … Alajuelense has topped Herediano to capture to the last four Invierno crowns … Herediano failed to repeat as Costa Rican champion.

Honduran international Welcome joins Platense

PUERTO CORTES, Honduras – Honduran side Platense announced Saturday at a press conference that it signed forward Georgie Welcome to a one-year contract.

The Honduras international had spent five years with Motagua, a period during which he went on short loan spells with Monaco in France and Mexico’s Atlas.

"I come to a large institution,” said the 28-year-old, who played in each of Honduras’ three games at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. “I want to earn a starting spot, give back to the coach and score many goals because I want to return to the national team.”

During Honduras’ successful World Cup Qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014, Welcome appeared in four matches, but did not score. The Catrachos went unbeaten in those outings (3-1-0), including a 2-1 win over the visiting United States on February 6, 2013.

In 2008, Welcome netted a goal in the 108th minute to give Honduras a 1-0 victory over the United States in the final of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament. He was not on the Honduran roster, though, at the Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing.

Honduras was drawn into Group E for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and will face Switzerland, Ecuador and France.

San Lorenzo seek Bauza to replace Pizzi

Torneo Inicial champions, San Lorenzo have reportedly moved quickly to replace out-going manager, Juan Antonio Pizzi with Argentine veteran, Edgardo Bauza. A dramatic week for El Ciclon saw them capture the Torneo Inicial title before being stunned by the resignation of Pizzi, who took the opportunity to return to Spain and take over at Valencia. In an effort not to lose ground ahead of a big season with Copa Libertadores commitments, newly re-elected, President, Matias Lammens has opened talks with Edgardo Bauza.

It is understood that a one-year contract will be signed as San Lorenzo want a quick resolution to the managerial situation and Bauza is said to be keen on a return to Argentine football.

Bauza’s playing career was spent mostly with Rosario Central, winning two Primera Division titles and he remains one of the highest scoring defenders in Argentine history with 80 goals in his 310 appearances.

He was also part of the Argentina squad who were runners up in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

In 1998, Bauza began his managerial career with his beloved Rosario Central but it wasn’t until moving to Peru to manage Sporting Cristal that he proved himself as a coach. Cristal won the Primera Division in his first season in charge and it prompted a move to Liga de Quito in Ecuador.

It was during his time with Quito that Bauza proved himself an astute tactician and won plaudits from around the world.

A 2008 Copa Libertadores title made Quito the first Ecuadorian champions and led to Uruguayan newspaper, El Pais voting Bausa the 2008 South American Coach of the Year.

This success in the Copa Libertadores is surely a factor in the decision of Lammens and Tinelli in seeking a successor for Pizzi. With no clear Plan B, El Ciclon will hope that this deal is concluded soon and preparations for next season can begin.

Keeping together their talented, young squad will also be important and will provide Bauza a great platform to bring further success to El Nuevo Gasometro.

Primera Transfer round-up

The Torneo Inicial has been finished just a week but that has not stopped the transfer gossip going into overdrive. River seek to bolster their woeful attack, Boca have already added a couple of new faces, Racing are linked with a host of strikers and as always some young talent is touted for Europe….

After a Torneo Inicial where they scored only 12 goals and relied heavily on untested youth products, River Plate have made it abundantly clear where their focus lies when recruiting for the Torneo Final. Teo Gutierrez did not provide the goals that were expected and so Ramon Diaz seeks alternatives.

The player most likely to return will be former striker, Fernando Cavanaghi, for his third spell with the club. Following his release from Mexican side, Pachuca, the well-travelled, striker is available and keen to pull on a River shirt once again.

Former Newell’s striker, Ignacio Scocco was reportedly the top target but with River facing financial troubles, it appears there is no way they can sanction a move to bring the previous Torneo Final top scorer back from Brazil.

With Cavanaghi a free-agent, only a contract with the player needs to be agreed. However, River may want to try and conclude this quickly as Cavanaghi and his representatives have said that there are other offers on the table. One such offer is said to be from Torneo Inicial champions, San Lorenzo.

Boca Juniors look set for another busy window as Carlos Bianchi looks to reshuffle his pack after a thoroughly inconsistent Torneo Inicial. Uncharacteristically, Bianchi’s side were sloppy defensively and so it comes as no surprise that Boca look to shore up this area.

However, austerity is the key in Argentina and so primary targets will probably be missed. Lanus captain, Paolo Goltz was reportedly top of the list but Lanus were not willing to listen to anything and Velez’s, Sebastián Domínguez was also deemed too pricey.

And so, the two players that look to be coming in are All Boys, right back, Hernan Grana to fill what has been a problem position for Boca in previous campaigns and former centre-half, Juan Forlin.

Forlin left Boca to join Spanish side, Espanyol and after a brief spell with Al Rayyan SC in Qatar, the 25-year-old is set to return to La Bombonera.

With defensive reinforcements coming in it is unclear what the future holds for several players currently on the roster. One player already out is Uruguayan, Ribair Rodriguez who has joined Mexican side, Santos Laguna.

One player Boca may look to cash-in on is midfielder, Juan Sanchez Miño. The young, wide player is being linked with a move to Ukranians, Metalist Kharkiv but President, Daniel Angelici has dismissed this, saying it is not the right time.

Similarly, Leandro Paredes is being watched by Italian champions, Juventus but the 19-year-old is still viewed as the heir to the injured, Juan Roman Riquelme so Boca may resist any moves for now.

Other talented youngsters that could be heading to Europe are Racing’s, Bruno Zuculini as a deal with Manchester City is apparently sealed and their other top prospect, Luciano Vietto, who had a poor Torneo Inicial is apparently attracting interest from Liverpool.

River Plate’s, young playmaker, Manuel Lanzini is being linked to a big money move to Borussia Dortmund in a move which would please the accountants at the Monumental. River’s other big asset, Eder Alvarez Balanta is now ‘untransferable’ according to new president, Rodolfo D’onofrio so it could well be the time to cash-in on Lanzini.


Racing may be losing some of these young players but coach, Mostaza Merlo is on the lookout for new attacking options. This has seen the Avellaneda club linked to a host of names, including Adrien Mutu, Duvan Zapata, Maxi Lopez and now Lucas Pratto. All these options appear to be outside bets but no doubt Racing will strengthen his area.

Newell’s Old Boys look to bounce back from their terrible end to the Torneo Inicial. However, they may need to do that without the experience of Gabriel Heinze who has hinted that he will be calling time on his illustrious career.

Likewise, Juan Sebastian Veron might retire for a second time, after coming out of retirement to play for Estudiantes in the Torneo Inicial.

Not in the Primera, but Independiente’s money troubles could see young defender, Julian Velazquez sold midway through their crucial promotion push. With a new contract proving difficult to negotiate, offers from Mexico, Italy and Russia may mean that El Rojo cash in.

Fuck...

Costa Rica Primera Division: Herediano 0 Alajuelense 0 (3-5 on pens)

Alajuelense have won their 29th Costa Rican Primera Division title after defeating Heridiano 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

The two sides squared off in the second leg in Heridiano after neither could break the deadlock in the goalless first-leg draw at Alajuelense.

But after 120 minutes in the second leg, the tie still remained 0-0 before Oscar Ramirez´s men were the more composed team from the penalty spot in the shootout.

It is a historical victory for Alajuelese, who became the equal-most successful Costa Rican club as they matched Deportivo Saprissa´s 29 championships.

Alajuelense have also won five of the last seven domestic titles as they celebrate one of the most successful periods in the club´s history.

The new Costa Rican domestic season begins on January 12th

Jeg glemte alt om kampen, så fik den ikke set :( Men jeg var heller ikke helt tilfreds da jeg så resultatet i morges. Jeg er ret sikker på at det er 3. gang inden for blot få år at Herediano taber en finale efter straffesparkskonkurrence til Alajuelense. Satans!!

Forhåbentligt har du sat din pensionsopsparing på The Strongest som bolivianske mestre ...dine moneymakers vandt igen, både kamp og mesterskab.

http://www.youtube.com/w…GQcYv-YoC4o

Det er desværre længe siden jeg sidst har spillet på "de stærke drenge". Det kan være jeg skal til at gøre det igen, for det virker til at de godt kan spille fodbold.

Iquique fall foul of rampant ‘La U’ in Copa Libertadores qualification

Universidad de Chile dominate during second leg of playoff final but ‘Dragones Celestes’ fans will find solace in defeat: Copa Sudamericana qualification.

After a few forgettable seasons a once dominant Universidad de Chile has salvaged something from its 2013 campaign and earned its place in the continent’s biggest club soccer competition in style with a resounding two-leg victory over Iquique.

The 5-0 aggregate victory of the two games, held Thursday and Sunday, was a much need boon for beleaguered coach Marco Antonio Figueroa as it was a fitting send off for crowd favorite Charles Aránguiz.

Both Iquique and “La U” locked up shop on Thursday for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores qualification final — it was a tense affair. A solitary header, courtesy of substitute Isaac Díaz, broke the deadlock and that was all she wrote.

As a result the “Dragones Celestes” journeyed to the battleground of Estadio Nacional on Sunday hoping to overturn the one goal deficit. According to manager Jaime Vera it was possible.

“The effort of the players was good, we played a dynamic team. There are still 90 minutes to turn this around,” he told Radio ADN post-first leg defeat.

Sunday evening and Copa Libertadores qualification was at stake, a shot at Copa Sudamericana glory a worthy consolation — but as always, it was the former that both teams sought. However, “La U” — steered brilliantly by “El Fantasma” — triumphed in the final game of the year.

Iquique 0-1 Universidad de Chile

Played out in the grounds of Iquique’s Estadio Tierra de Campeones, Thursday evening’s contest was by no means a classic — more attritional than anything else — interspersed with the odd noteworthy incident. Namely the goal and a red card picked up by Iquique defender Rodrigo Brito following a second yellow ten minutes from time. Consequently the defender missed the final.

Some 6,411 spectators showed up to witness “La U” edge ahead in the race for Copa Libertadores qualification although it was Iquique who took control early on. Striker Gerson Martínez tested Johnny Herrera, and the outspoken goalkeeper proved equal.

An injury to traveling midfielder Enzo Gutiérrez on 28 minutes was a blessing in disguise for Figueroa’s side. His replacement, 23-year-old Díaz, registered his seventh goal of the season after only six minutes of game time, nodding home Roberto Cereceda’s cross after brilliant build up play. This goal decided the result.

Iquique rarely threatened from this point on and only truly applied telling pressure when Manuel Villalobos fired a free kick almost goalwards. “La U” carved out another chance for the lively Díaz in reply, who could only blaze over the crossbar.

Universidad de Chile 4-0 Iquique

Sunday arrived and so did Iquique, the small fry up against the 16-time Primera División winners, full of heart.

“El Fantasma” was bold in his tactics — with forward Enzo Gutiérrez injured he reshuffled the pack — Universidad de Chile started the game with only one defensive midfielder in Juan Rodrigo Rojas. Gustavo Lorenzetti and Ramón Fernández dictated play beautifully behind the front three of Ruben Farfan, Isaac Díaz and Patricio Rubio.

The game was effectively killed off on five minutes when midfielder Fernández found the back of the net, followed six minutes later by fellow midfielder and departing legend Aránguiz.

Díaz closed the curtain 13 minutes from time and put the icing on the cake with a penalty in the dying minutes — putting his team four up and 5-0 on aggregate. Cue wild celebration from the home support.

Universidad de Chile dominated from the first whistle and wasted little time in dismantling Iquique’s defence. Figueroa’s offensive setup tore the traveling team to pieces — it was a masterclass. Iquique offered no reply.

Fernández drilled home a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area after picking up a pass from Rubén Farfán to get his team on the scoresheet. Iquique keeper, Rodrigo Naranjo, was powerless.

Chile international and club hero Aránguiz will have been happy contributing to his team’s success given that this was his last game for “La U”— at this stage in his career at least. His perfectly placed shot on 11 minutes was the best send off he could have wished for after securing a transfer to Italy’s Udinese next season.

Aránguiz was a key figure in “La U’s” three consecutive league titles in 2011/12 and 2011 Copa Sudamericana triumph. The creative midfielder — who has pledged he will return to the club when he is ready to see out his career — left the pitch to a standing ovation on 71 minutes.

If Naranjo has not been on his game the scoreline may have been less flattering for the “Dragones Celestes.” Alas, substitute Díaz had no regard for the form of the man between the sticks, scoring twice in the dying moments of the game, his second arriving courtesy of a Nicolás Ortiz’ handball. The Chilean duly tucked away the penalty to make it 4-0.

The first round of the Copa Libertadores now awaits “La U” on Jan. 30. Paraguayan outfit Guaraní must be overcome before hosting Universidad de Chile a week later. The overall winners will earn a spot in the group already containing Cruzeiro of Brazil, Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting and Real Garcilaso of Peru.

“The players gave the fans the Christmas present they deserve,” Figueroa told press after the match.

“La U” will now join 2013/14 Apertura champions O’Higgins and 2013 Transición winner Unión Española as the last of Chile’s three Libertadores slots.