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Carlos Saucedo signs for Saprissa of Costa Rica

The popular Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica signed for this season Bolivian striker Carlos Saucedo upon termination of the contractual relationship with club San Jose, who owns his rights, as reported on Wednesday.

Saucedo, 34, is on the list of FIFA as the third best club scorer in the world in 2013, with 31 goals, the same as Ivorian Wilfried Bony of Vitesse in Holland, and is surpassed only by Lionel Messi of Barcelona (46) and Real Madrid´s Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Bolivian striker was still tied to his club San Jose, in the Andean city of Oruro, south of La Paz, with a buyout clause of $35,000, which was canceled by the player, according to sporting director Marcelo Fernández.

The Bolivian striker, regular starter on the Bolivian national team, had a contract with the club until 2017.

Saucedo debuted in Bolivian professional football at age 26.

Deportivo Saprissa, one of the most popular clubs in Costa Rica, has had an unsatisfactory start in their local tournament. The poor results of the current season are the extension of a championship drought that dates back to 2010.

The Saprissa leadership has recognized that one of the main problems of the team is the lack of effective scorers, which they hope is now rectified with Saucedo.

Huachipato registers shock win over Católica in Copa Chile semifinal

Team from Talcahuano takes advantage into February’s second leg in Santiago after defeating firm favorite Universidad Católica.

Grim recent history has hardened Huachipato fans, though Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Universidad Católica has some daring to believe that new manager Mario Salas is returning the magic to Estadio CAP Talcahuano.

Defeating one of Chilean soccer’s big three in a cup semi-final first leg is something to celebrate, though it was the convincing fashion in which Huachipato won that was most impressive. The team was the better attacking side in the first half, and showed great composure in the second to weather the inevitable storm as Católica’s depth in quality tipped the balance.

“You have to go in with an idea and a game plan, beyond player formations or pressing well,” Salas said to press after the match. “This is the manner of play we want to instill in the team, this is what we have to maintain in order to progress. The objective is to stay in the first division.”

That objective is a challenging one. In Chilean soccer, the two teams with the worst record over two seasons go down — Huachipato finished dead last of the Apertura last year, and the former Chile under-21 manager will have to steer his side to a solid Clausura finish to avoid the drop. A strange kind of dissonance exists in this team that is simultaneously involved in a relegation scrap and just two games away from a cup win and subsequent Copa Sudamericana qualification.

On Universidad Católica’s part, falling at the final hurdle has become a habit in recent times. The beginnings of a sports related curse could be on the cards should the bookies’ favorite miss out on this year’s Copa Chile, following two second place league finishes in 2013.

The loss of star striker Ismael Sosa at the end of the Apertura was a hammerblow indeed, though that hole up front cannot be blamed for the deficiencies evident across the midfield in the first half Tuesday night.

Salt was added to the wound opened by the fifth minute match winner in that it came from a former “Cruzado” striker — Juan Morales’ header the finishing touch on a fine cross from midfielder Martín Rodríguez. Católica’s second half assault was firm but blunt, with young forward Matías Jadue particularly guilty of shoddy finishing. Playmaker Darius Bottinelli sent hearts racing with a free kick that rattled the crossbar in injury time, though the whistle soon followed.

Neymar releases document that refutes claims made by Santos president

Neymar has released a document that shows Santos giving him permission to talk to Barcelona or any other clubs regarding a transfer report Goal.com.

The document is dated back to 2011 when the Brazil forward signed a new contract at his former club Santos which ran until the 2014 World Cup.

This comes following claims made by the president of Neymar’s former club Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro who according to Goal.com said: “he had no knowledge of any pre-transfer agreement.”

However the document provided by the 21-year-old forward shows that Peixe did in fact give him permission.

Neymar released the statement on his official website and it read: “[Santos] expressly agree that we inform and empower the player Neymar to start straight away any dealings with any entitles in sport – national or international – to finalise a possible transfer, provided that this only occurs before 2014.”

The document is signed by Ribeiro and is stamped by both Santos and Barcelona. It is just another passage of drama, which has all come since Neymar’s transfer details became public.

2014 UNCAF Copa Centroamericana update

SAN LUIS TALPA, El Salvador – The Union of Central American Football (UNCAF) revealed Wednesday that the next UNCAF Copa Centroamericana – the Central American championship for national teams that also doubles as the region’s qualifying tournament for the CONCACAF Gold Cup – will be played in the United States. The dates being contemplated are September 1-13, 2014.

This would mark the first time that the event will be held outside of Central America.

The historic decision was made unanimously during a meeting of the organization’s Executive Committee in El Salvador today.

Iconic destinations such as Dallas, Los Angeles, Houston and Washington D.C., where the UNCAF teams enjoy large fan support will be in the running as potential host cities. Final announcements on host cities, stadiums, format, match schedule and groupings are expected in the near future once UNCAF has completed its site evaluations.

The tournament, which has usually been held in the same year as the Gold Cup, is being moved up in the calendar to correspond as closely as possible to FIFA international dates. This should allow many of Central America’s biggest names to participate more fully.

The UNCAF Copa Centroamericana has been played on 12 previous occasions with each Central American nation, except Belize, holding the region’s showpiece event at least once.

Costa Rica hosted and won the last edition of the competition in 2013 for a record seventh time.

The top five finishers will qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

UNCAF COPA CENTROAMERICANA

Hosts & Champions (champions in parentheses)


1991: Costa Rica (Costa Rica)

1993: Honduras (Honduras)

1995: El Salvador (Honduras)

1997: Guatemala (Costa Rica)

1999: Costa Rica (Costa Rica)

2001: Honduras (Guatemala)

2003: Panama (Costa Rica)

2005: Guatemala (Costa Rica)

2007: El Salvador (Costa Rica)

2009: Honduras (Panama)

2011: Panama (Honduras)

2013: Costa Rica (Costa Rica)

Connections add intrigue to Tijuana-LA CCL series

LOS ANGELES -- For three members of Club Tijuana, their upcoming quarterfinal series in the CONCACAF Champions League carries tremendous personal significance.

Herculez Gomez and Paul Arriola once played for the Xolos’ opponent, the LA Galaxy. Joe Corona was born in Los Angeles before moving to Tijuana as a boy.

The Galaxy will host the first leg at the StubHub Center on March 12 before the action shifts to Estadio Caliente on March 18.

"It´s a very exciting thing for me," Corona said. "I still have a lot of family in Los Angeles. I even have some cousins who grew up rooting for the LA Galaxy. They´re excited about the game."

Arriola, who will turn 19 on February 5, played in the Galaxy´s youth system prior to inking a contract with Liga MX side in July.

"The matchup couldn´t be any better or at any better time," commented Arriola, who has been playing with Liga Ascenso side Dorados de Sinaloa in Copa MX games. "I´m excited to play against, I guess you could say, my ex-team."

Gomez used his first full season in Major League Soccer to help the Galaxy win the 2005 MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup. He scored 11 goals in league play and was named the team´s most valuable player.

"The Galaxy is very near and dear to my heart," expressed Gomez. "They gave me a huge opportunity. Just playing them feels like things are coming around full circle."

Though Tijuana is appearing in its first CCL, it gained valuable experience playing in last year´s Copa Libertadores, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual champion, Brazil´s Atletico Mineiro.

"You go down to Brazil and Argentina, where all they do is breathe soccer, and it´s just amazing how their fans in the whole stadium are jumping and singing the whole game," Corona said. "As a player, that motivates you a lot."

That experience provides unique training for the CCL.

"It´s not a 90-minute game,." Gomez said. "It´s a 180-minute game. I´ve seen road goals deflate a team. All of a sudden, they´re not used to this moment and they don´t know how to react."

Defeating Los Angeles would put Tijuana one step closer to a possible berth in the Club World Cup. Personal links to the past cannot compete.

"I love the time I spent in L.A.," Gomez finished. "I still have friends on the Galaxy, but I´m part of Xolos."

Turu Flores: "Ganarle a Arsenal será un envión anímico importante"

BUENOS AIRES -- El director técnico de Vélez Sarsfield, José Turu Flores, manifestó el miércolesque ganar la Supercopa Argentina ante Arsenal, el próximo viernes en San Luis, "será un envión anímico importante" para encarar el semestre en el que tendrán el Torneo Final y la Copa Libertadores de América.

"Arsenal es un rival duro que se conoce mucho y está acostumbrado a jugar esta clase de partidos. Por eso, ganarle será un envión anímico importante", admitió el Turu Flores en la conferencia de prensa que brindó en la mañana del miércoles en la Villa Olímpica.

Vélez afrontará el próximo viernes desde las 20.10 en el estadio Juan Giberto Funes de La Punta, San Luis, el primer frente que tendrá por delante en este semestre en el cual también competirá en el torneo local y la Libertadores.

"Todo el mundo dice que Arsenal es un equipo incómodo pero creo que ellos también deben decir lo mismo de Vélez. Seguramente estén preocupados como nosotros de ellos", agregó el entrenador sobre el equipo dirigido por Gustavo Alfaro y, a la vez, adelantó dónde se deben cuidar.

"Hay que estar concentrados en los rebotes y las segundas jugadas cerca de nuestro área", explicó.

Y en cuanto a lo propio, el exayudante y sucesor de Ricardo Gareca en el cargo, contó qué pretende del equipo: "Me gusta que a partir de la mitad de cancha seamos rápidos en la terminación de la jugada y se desprendan los defensores para pasar al ataque. Es una continuidad, pero de a poco le vamos a ir agregando cosas".

Esta idea será plasmada por una formación compuesta por Sebastián Sosa; Fabián Cubero, Sebastián Domínguez, Fernando Tobio y Emiliano Papa; Agustín Allione, Lucas Romero, Héctor Canteros y Ariel Cabral; Mauro Zárate y Lucas Pratto.

Este equipo praticó ante los suplentes y ganó 2-0 con goles de Zárate y Canteros.

No obstante, a dos días de la final, el entrenador se quedó sin dos futbolistas que iba a tener en cuenta como Federico Insúa y Francisco Cerro, quienes jugarán en Independiente y Racing Club, respectivamente.

"Fue muy emotiva la despedida del Pocho (lo presentan a las 18 en Independiente). Es un jugador muy querido, un referente y un líder positivo. Le deseamos lo mejor. Les dije a los jugadores que esto nos tiene que fortalecer", reveló.

Y sobre Cerro, quien no viajará y el miércoles se entrenó de manera diferenciada, añadió: "Aún no sabemos qué va a pasar. Me quiero despegar de la negociación y meterme de lleno en el partido".

El otro que quedó descartado de la nómina fue Juan Sabia, quien padece un golpe en la espalda y se hará unos estudios médicos está tarde para determinar la gravedad.

Vélez Sarsfield, ganador de la Supefinal 2012-2013, se medirá con Arsenal, campeón de la edición de la Copa Argentina 2013, el próximo viernes a las 20.10 en San Luis en el partido definitorio de la Supercopa Argentina.

Vélez, a San Luis por la Supercopa

BUENOS AIRES -- A menos de un mes del comienzo del ciclo de José "Turu" Flores como entrenador, el plantel de Vëlez se traslada a San Luis para buscar, ante Arsenal de Sarandí, el primer título del año: la Supercopa Argentina 2013.

Desde las 21:10 hs. del viernes, el equipo de Liniers enfrentará a los de Gustavo Alfaro en el estadio Juan Gilberto Funes, con el arbitraje de Fernando Rapallini.

Para dicho encuentro, de no haber inconvenientes, los once que pondría en cancha el "Turu" serían: Sebastián Sosa; Fabián Cubero, Sebastián Domínguez, Fernando Tobio y Emiliano Papa; Agustín Allione, Lucas Romero, Ariel Cabral y Héctor Canteros; Lucas Pratto y Mauro Zárate.

Mientras tanto, completan la delegación Alan Aguerre, Facundo Cardozo, Matías Pérez Acuña, Leonardo Rolón, Jorge Correa, Ramiro Cáseres y Federico Vázquez.

Concretada la salida de Federico Insúa, también se ausenta Francisco Cerro ya que en las próximas horas definiría su transferencia de Racing. Tampoco viajó Juan Sabia ya que padece una molestia en la zona lumbar.

Cabe recordar que está será la primera de las cuatro competencias que disputará Vélez en este semestre ya que también participará del Torneo Final, la Copa Argentina y la Copa Libertadores, torneo en el cual compartirá la fase de grupos con The Strongest de Bolivia, Universitario de Perú y el ganador del cruce entre Sporting Cristal y Atlético Paranaense.

Mineiro starlet Marion impresses caoch Autori

Having been thrust into the limelight of the state championship by coach Paulo Autori, Atletico Mineiro youngster Marion received post-match praise from his boss.

In the opening round of fixtures, Mineiro, who will also be competing in the Copa Libertadores as defending champions this term, eased to a narrow 1-0 win against Minas.

However, all talk of praise was reserved by coach Autori for his young squad member: "Marion went very well in the game. It was not a surprise because he does well in training. He is bold, and has personality. He will be an important player and I´m happy with him." the coach told lancenet.com.

Pabon speaks of joy at Sao Paulo switch

Dorlan Pabon, Sao Paulo´s latest recruit, has spoken of his happiness at joining the club on loan from Valencia for the rest of the season.

The Colombian has struggled to hold down a regular place at the Spanish club since a €7.5million summer switch from Mexican club Monterrey and has been allowed the opportunity to try his luck in the Brazilian top flight.

Speaking with lancenet.com, the 26 year-old said: "I am very happy and proud to have the opportunity to play in a club of the greatness of Sao Paulo. I have received very strong support from the entire team, coaching staff, directors and, of course, the fans."

"I hope to have much success in the Tricolor shirt."

Of great benefit to Pabon, as well as much need game time, is the fact that he is now playing in the country that is hosting this year´s World Cup and with 14 caps to his name already, he could be plotting a big year in his new country on more than one front.

Independiente: entrenamiento con Insúa

BUENOS AIRES -- Tras la presentación realizada en las últimas horas del miércoles, Federico Insúa se puso a las órdenes de Omar De Felippe y participó del entrenamiento que el plantel de Independiente realizó en el predio de Villa Domínico.

Las tareas se basaron en trabajos con pelota en espacio reducido, haciendo hincapié en la velocidad de control y la precisión de los pases, con constantes instrucciones del cuerpo técnico.

La mala noticia de la jornada pasó porque Marcelo Vidal se volvió a mover de manera diferenciada ya que sintió sintomas de la tendinitis que lo mantuvo al margen durante gran parte de la pretemporada. De esta manera, su presencia en el primer partido del "Rojo" en el campeonato está en duda.

Independiente volverá a jugar oficialmente el domingo 9 de febrero ante Brown de Adrogué, en el estadio de Temperley y el horario de dicho partido fue modificado en las últimas horas ya que pasó para las 19:30 hs.