Snak

Independiente estrenó su polémica camiseta amarilla

MAR DEL PLATA -- Independiente estrenó en la noche del jueves ante Newell´s Old Boys su polémica camiseta amarilla con vivos azules, que recuerda la indumentaria que utilizó el club durante la temporada de 1975.

Independiente afrontó una gira por Asia en 1975 y tuvo que acudir a una indumentaria amarilla por la similitud de su tradicional remera roja con los equipos que jugó en aquél continente.

También, por el Metropolitano de 1975, Independiente volvió a utilizar una camiseta amarilla como alternativa en varios partidos del campeonato.

Además, en la final de la Copa Libertadores de América 1975, torneo que luego de adjudicaría, Independiente vistió de amarillo frente a la Unión Española y perdió de visitante 1-0.

En esta oportunidad, Independiente utilizó este polémico color de camiseta en un Torneo de Verano y varios hinchas por redes sociales manifestaron su fastidio por esta decisión de usar una indumentaria ajena a la tradición del Rojo de Avellaneda.

Atlético Rafaela empató con Liverpool de Uruguay, en un amistoso

MONTEVIDEO -- Atlético de Rafaela igualó en la tarde del jueves 1-1 ante Liverpool, en el primer amistoso que celebró en la pretemporada que está realizando en Uruguay, previo a la reanudación de la competencia oficial, con el arranque del torneo Final 2014.

El conjunto Crema se puso en ventaja en el estadio Belvedere de Montevideo con una conquista de Lucas Albertengo.

El empate para el conjunto uruguayo fue obra de Paulo Pezzolano, mediante un tiro penal.

El técnico Jorge Burruchaga dispuso la siguiente formación para el elenco santafesino: Esteban Conde; Esteban Espíndola López, Alexis Niz, Rodrigo Erramuspe; Andrés Rodales, Diego Ferreira, Adrián Bastía, Cristian Canuhé y Juan Eluchans; Lucas Albertengo y Diego Vera.

En el encuentro entre ambos conjuntos alternativos, la Crema ganó por 3-0, con tantos de Nicolás Orsini (2) y Rodrigo Depetris.

Atlético continuará desarrollando las labores de verano en territorio uruguayo y el lunes próximo se enfrentará a Olimpia, de Paraguay, en el marco de la llamada Copa Antel.

Los restantes encuentros programados serán ante Peñarol o Nacional (miércoles 22), River Plate de Montevideo (jueves 23), Colón de Santa Fe (martes 28, en Rafaela) y Newell`s (viernes 31, en Rosario).

Naturalized players end up as first or second-tier Mexicans

Forget about the Premier League or La Liga´s galaxy of stars, and about Liga MX President Decio de Maria´s statistics, percentages and "tales." The only valid controversy when it comes to naturalized Mexicans is a legal issue. The law does not consider first- or second-tier Mexicans. Does soccer have first- and second-tier Mexicans?

That is the dilemma for naturalized players and Mexican soccer. The law imposes no limits on this and soccer must adopt and adapt to the country´s laws, but at the same time, without breaking any law, teams take advantage when it comes to naturalized players. And in the end, between naturalized and foreigners, the opportunities for Mexican-born soccer players are reduced considerably and Mexico´s national team, at the end of the day, pays the price.

I know this may sound contradictory, unconstitutional and even pointless, but modern times demand another type of regulation as relates to naturalized players, even though that may mean -- as I´ve said before -- that somehow or other talk of discrimination or unjustified segregation is mixed in.

The Liga MX needs clear rules on this issue. Using the European leagues as an example, as Decio de Maria did, is not the best route. Those are different conditions, players, cultures and education. Mexico must adapt its own country´s laws so they don´t end up affecting the game of soccer.

The objective is not to take an extreme nationalist stance that leads us to new snags on this issue. Foreigners, or in this case foreign soccer players, should always be welcome in Mexico. And those who opt for naturalization stemming from a wish to be Mexican, should also be welcomed. What´s not fair is to abuse the kindness of a country and of a law in order to partake in a business called soccer.

Naturalized players ought to continue to exist in soccer, but they require other kinds of laws and rules, which will unfortunately make them, whether we like it or not, first- or second-tier Mexicans.

Club America searches for answers under Mohamed

Two scenes from Club America´s most recent movie on the field seem to shed some light on what´s happening with the most popular, and also most unpopular, team in Mexico.

First, Antonio Mohamed´s eyes expressed something beyond frustration on Friday night at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana. Second, the image of Miguel Layun on the bench when the match was still missing its most important part: a defining moment.

There was something more worrisome than defeat in Week 2 on the Tijuana Xolos´ always complicated field. The confusion overload within the team weighed on Mohamed more than anything else.

The "strange" coaching change, a switch in soccer styles and personalities, may have brought about ideological chaos at Club America. The team is not sure whether to lend continuity to Miguel Herrera´s philosophy or break away from it all at once to make way for the teachings of Mohamed.

To a certain extent the situation seems normal because of the transition and also atypical since it complies with a change that was not due to poor results or a crisis. Club America is searching for answers during one of the best periods in team history.

Mohamed is busy with his goal of having the team understand his soccer concepts and at the same time trying to erase the features deeply ingrained by Herrera, which led to success over the past few months. To better explain it: Mohamed is attempting to cure a patient who is not sick. Inside this transition and confusion, Club America looks to survive.

Another clear example of what could be happening at Club America occurred in the 70th minute of the game in Tijuana, when the most visible and distinctive face from the Herrera era, Layun, downhearted and frustrated, lay back on the bench while Luis Angel Mendoza took his place on the field and Club America went from its traditional five-man line to playing with four at the back. Mohamed was seeking his own conditions and game alternatives.

Ricardo Pelaez said goodbye on Tuesday to staff members at Coapa´s soccer fields while Club America announced its new policy for player and coach interviews and Rubens Sambueza acknowledged that the head coach told him that if he continues to have too many brushes with referees that he will be worthy of a fine.

Things are changing at Club America because, at last, Herrera is history. There isn´t enough room for Mohamed´s personality and the memory of Herrera. It´s either one or the other. We shall see how long-lasting and far-reaching the effects of this muddled transition turn out to be.

Copa MX holds extra importance for Chivas

Chivas drew 1-1 against city rivals Universidad de Guadalajara on Wednesday in the Copa MX, with Giovani Hernandez netting a first half penalty in the Estadio Omnilife and Argentine Gabriel Rodriguez equalizing for Leones Negros in the 73rd minute.

http://www.youtube.com/w…_V0Hh7Qv3VY

It was a largely dull game in front of a surprisingly good crowd (20,500), and while the competition has been derided in some quarters in Mexico as being of secondary importance, for Chivas, it is currently an important link between the Under-20s and the first team.

The all-Mexican club does not have the mandate to go looking abroad for foreign players, and with the owners complaining of high transfer fees within Mexico, the youth system if of more importance at Chivas than at other Liga MX clubs.

A dilemma at present is that youngsters like Hernandez, Victor Perales and Kristian Alvarez have grown out of the Under-20 league, yet aren´t consolidated in the Liga MX first team.

Getting competitive minutes against mature players is vital to continuing their development so that they can step up when required and the Copa MX provides that. Good performances in the Copa MX also create pressure on those who currently occupy first team spots, increasing competition for places.

It´s been well-documented that in recent years Chivas players have been promoted too quickly, and a look at the current Liga MX starting XI tells you only three -- Rodriguez, Jorge Enriquez and Carlos Fierro -- are under 24.

Head coach Jose Luis Real has been adamant that the development process that players go through can´t be artificially sped up to suit the club and ease the need to spend on reinforcements.

One idea being floated, according to what sporting president Juan Manuel Herrero said on Monday, is to re-institute a sister club in the second division -- the Ascenso MX. This would help bridge the gap between the youth sides -- who are current Under-15 champions, U-17 title-winners and U-20 runners-up -- with a more senior league filled with highly paid and experienced players.

It is worth remembering that players like Carlos Salcido and Javier Hernandez benefitted greatly from their time in the second division with former side Tapatio, before it was sold to Universidad de Guadalajara in 2009.

A reserve team in Ascenso MX makes sense moving forward, but for now, the Copa MX is the young players´ best chance to prove they are worthy of more first team opportunities.

Copa Chivas Internacional

Twelve Under-18 teams will compete in the eleventh edition of the Copa Chivas Internacional between Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 in Guadalajara.

MLS outfits Chivas USA and FC Dallas, Brazil´s Vitoria, Liverpool, the Colombian national team, Universidad Catolica from Chile and Japan´s Yokohama Marinos are the international sides that will participate.

Sporting president Juan Manuel Herrero announced the details of the event on Monday, and added that the club will be seeking to increase the number of international tournaments its youth teams will compete in each year, which has to be a sensible move.

TV times

At the same event, Herrero told reporters that Chivas are looking to move the times of their home games from 6 p.m. ET on Sunday to 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, although the club is still awaiting the green light from the television companies.

Sunderland set to land Argentine defender but may miss out on top striker

Gus Poyet looks set to seal the deal to bring Argentine defender, Santiago Vergini to Sunderland as it is understood that the 25-year old centre back has arrived on Wearside to finalise his transfer from Estudiantes. The belief is that this deal would initially be until the end of the season with a view to remain with the Poyet’s relegation threatened side. However, hopes of pairing Vergini with former Newell’s Old Boys team mate, Ignacio Scocco appear a long way off at this stage despite Poyet’s interest.

Scocco has not enjoyed the best spell of his career since a move last summer to Internacional and is now linked with a move away. However, the Brazilian side are looking to recoup most of the $6.5 million they paid for the prolific front man.

If the fee alone had not been a stumbling block, former club Newell’s remain hopeful that if Scocco is available a move back to Rosario is available. President, Guillermo Lorente told Radio La Red, ”Ignacio Scocco is very interested in returning to Newell’s and likewise, Newell’s are very interested in bringing him back.”

What perhaps increases the strength of Newell’s hand is that ”Internacional didn’t pay one of the installments which were due to be paid by January 10. We’ll consider all possibilities to be able to bring him,” continued Lorente.

According to the bookies, like 888sport, Sunderland are still among the favourites for the drop as they remain in the bottom 3 but there is no doubting these two would greatly improve the options available to Gus Poyet.

Vergini was a key component of the Newell’s side that won the Torneo Final last year and at only 25 has a good future ahead of him. Comfortable on the ball and a strong leader along the back line, Vergini should have no problems adapting to english football.

As Gus Poyet admitted in The Mirror ”With Vergini, we’re close,” adding, “I’ve talked to him and it’s well on the way. I’ve known him for years.”

Sunderland’s main issue has been scoring goals and so Ignacio Scocco would be a great signing. His move to Brazil may not have worked out but whilst at Newell’s Scocco was the stand out player in the division and claimed the top scorer award two seasons running. Pacy and able to drift into wider areas and work the channels, Scocco could be just what a misfiring Sunderland side are looking for.

Colombian footballer dead after shooting

Colombian footballer Ferley Reyes has died after being shot in the head by a person travelling on a motorcycle, reports the Associated Press.

Reyes was shot while with Union Magdalena club teammate Luis Diaz Asprilla, who is receiving treatment in hospital after he was also shot three times.

Police have yet to identify the person who attacked the players, who were reported to be in a hair salon in Gaira, Santa Marta, when the incident took place.

According to local police, the motives are currently unclear, with both players apparently not receiving any threats.

Union Magdalena play in Categoria Primera B and are the club where former Colombia international Carlos Valderrama started his career.

Newell’s Old Boys President Guillermo Lorente confident deal can be agreed for Internacional forward Ignacio Scocco

Newell’s Old Boys President Guillermo Lorente is confident a deal can be agreed to bring Internacional forward Ignacio Scocco back to the club.

The 28 year-old, who has had two spells with Newell’s earlier in his career, is expected to leave Brazil this month.

Internacional signed Scocco in July for €4.25 million, but he has struggled to make an impression at the Porto Alegre-based club, scoring just three goals in 17 appearances.

With Inter looking to rebuild after a difficult campaign - they finished just two points above the drop - Scocco is believed to be up for sale. Sunderland have been strongly linked, but Lorente is confident that he can re-sign the Argentinian striker.

"Ignacio Scocco is very interested in returning to Newell´s and likewise, Newell´s are very interested in bringing him back," he told Radio La Red, as reported by Sky Sports.

"We are paying close attention to the situation; we know the player is important for the club.

"Internacional didn´t pay one of the instalments which were due to be paid by January 10. We´ll consider all possibilities to be able to bring him.”

Joel Acosta sufrió una rotura de ligamento

BUENOS AIRES -- La malaria de las lesiones en Boca parece no tener fin ni siquiera con el cambio de año y, a sólo 17 días de iniciarse el 2014 se confirmó que Joel Acosta sufrió una rotura de ligamento cruzado anterior de la rodilla derecha, por lo estará entre seis y ocho meses fuera de las canchas.

El mediocampista se torció la rodilla en una acción de juego en la práctica del jueves a la tarde y, tras realizarse estudios médicos durante la mañana del viernes, el Twitter oficial de Boca Juniors ratificó el primer diagnóstico que dieron los médicos: "se rompió el ligamento cruzado anterior de la rodilla derecha y será operado la próxima semana".

De esta manera, Acosta estará fuera de las canchas durante el primer semestre del año y, ante esta eventualidad, Boca tendría la posibilidad de solicitar un cupo extra para reforzar el equipo, ya que, a pesar de no alcanzar el mínimo de 12 partidos en la primera de Boca, sí firmó la planilla en esa cantidad de partidos.

Cabe recordar que Boca ya había utilizado las dos posibilidades de fichaje permitidas para el actual mercado, al reforzar la zona defensiva con el zaguero Juan Forlín y el lateral diestro Hernán Grana. ¿Pedirá Carlos Bianchi un jugador para cubrir la baja del primer lesionado del 2014?

Omar De Felippe, tras empatar con Newell´s: "Me gustó el equipo"

MAR DEL PLATA --El director técnico de Independiente, Omar De Felippe, se expresó confiado y satisfecho tras el empate sin goles de su equipo frente a Newell´s Old Boys y afirmó que "se vio otra realidad respecto al partido frente a Racing", que fue derrota por 3-0.

"Me gustó el equipo. Tuvimos más tranquilidad. Se vio otra realidad con respecto a lo que fue el partido anterior contra Racing. Intentamos hacer lo que habíamos realizado en las últimas fechas del torneo. Llegaremos bien al reinicio", resaltó el entrenador.

En otro orden y teniendo en cuenta la rotación del plantel que presentó frente a los rosarinos se mostró conforme con lo que realizaron los juveniles.

"Son buenos jugadores, uno los tiene que ir viendo. Contento, porque han debutado algunos chicos que lo hicieron bien. Más o menos, se trató de mantener la idea que estamos trabajando", señaló De Felippe.

Independiente terminó su participación en la Copa ciudad de Mar del Plata sin marcar goles y al respecto el entrenador admitió que prefiere que se metan durante la competencia oficial.

"Son circunstancias. Mientras los hagamos cuando los tengamos que hacer (en la Primera B Nacional). Lo lindo es tratar de elaborar y llegar. Lo hicimos muchas veces ante un rival importante. El gol va a llegar", tranquilizó.