Snak

El Salvador’s Menjivar joins San Antonio Scorpions

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – El Salvador international Richard Menjivar has signed with the San Antonio Scorpions, the North American Soccer League club announced Tuesday.

The 23-year-old midfielder, born in the United States, earned selection to the 2013 NASL Best XI after completing an outstanding season with the Atlanta Silverbacks, where he scored two goals in 24 games.

"Menjivar is the quintessential type of player we are looking to add to our roster…a very driven, young player coming off of a Best Eleven year in the NASL, and with the experience of winning a championship in our league.” Said San Antonio head coach Alen Marcina. “He´s a dynamic box to box player who not only generates and facilitates attacks, but also astutely reads the game defensively.

“He´s a fantastic signing for our organization."

An emerging international talent, Menjivar started in all four of El Salvador’s encounters at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and appeared in all but one of the team’s 11 total matches last year.

He also helped the Cuscatlecos to a third-place finish at the 2013 UNCAF Copa Centroamericana, the region’s championship for national teams that doubles as a qualifying tournament for the Gold Cup.

In 2012, Menjivar represented El Salvador in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying finals. Against the U.S., he went 90 minutes in a 3-3 draw - a result that eliminated the Americans from London 2012 contention.

The Scorpions will start preseason training on February 10 with the home opener at Toyota Field scheduled for April 12 against Minnesota United.

Arteaga named Mexico under-17 head coach

MEXICO CITY -- The Mexican Football Federation announced Wednesday that it has named Mario Arteaga as head coach of the men’s under-17 national team.

Arteaga takes over a program that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2011 and finished runner-up two years later under the guidance of Raul Gutierrez, who was put in charge of the Olympic squad last month.

The 43-year-old was an assistant on both of those history-making sides. His experience and familiarity with the set-up is considered to be valuable in extending recent successes.

“They (the U-17 World Cups) mean very much because one always prepares himself for a competition and wants to give their best performance, do their best role,” said Arteaga, a member of Mexico’s 1992 Olympic Games team. “And, well, what happened in 2011 was something that made me very satisfied because the work that was done was very complicated, but in the end the reward was the championship.”

“In 2013, the difference was that we come across with a team that was better that us and it is necessary to acknowledge it also.”

While those chapters in the Mexico’s football history will always be cherished, Arteaga looks forward to writing new ones.

"The challenge that we have with this under-17 selection is trying to reach where we’ve been before,” expressed the former Guadalajara forward. “The commitment that’s there is strong because results of the selection in that last two World Cups have been very good. Then, the responsibility that we have is to not fall short of those instances. It is finding the best team and taking the youngsters to that level of competition.”

Over the course of the next year, Arteaga will be forming a roster to participate in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship at a location to be determined. As part of the preparation process, the U17s are scheduled to tour South America, participate in the Gradisca Tournament in Italy, the Copa Saprissa in Costa Rica and the Nations Cup, which it will host.”

"I dream to be champion again. In giving weapons, tools, to these young people who also surely have that dream, that illusion lived by previously,” Arteaga finished. “We simply, along with all the coaching staff, will try to have them develop the best as possible.”

Lanus-Caracas and Guaraní-U. De Chile for the last spots

Lanus looks to close out the tie and Caracas looks for a miracle

Argentine club Lanus on Thursday at home looks to hold off Caracas FC in one of the ties of the first round of the 2014 Copa Libertadores.

In the first leg Lanus, 2013 Copa Sudamericana champion, got a comfortable 2-0 win against Caracas with goals from Paolo Goltz.

This result left them with one foot in the group stage of the Libertadores. If Lanus do close out the tie today they will be put in Group 3 with Chilean club O´Higgins, Paraguay´s Cerro Porteño and Deportivo Cali of Colombia.

"We played a great first half and we won because of that. It´s important to have gotten this advantage but the series will be set on Thursday," said Guillermo Barros Schelotto, coach of Lanus.

"If we advance to the group stage of the Libertadores we will play about 20 games in 60 days. But we can´t think we´re going to get tired and use that to justify losing. Lanus demonstrated in Venezuela that it has personality and can adapt to all: the rival, state of the pitch and weather. Lanus has their own style," continued the coach.

At the last moment Lanus inserted Uruguayan midfielder Alejandro Silva, coming from Olimpia of Paraguay, into the lineup. Silva has also played some for the Uruguayan national team.

Caracas FC must win by three goals to reverse the series.

"We have to be sorted and try to seize the opportunities presented to us and not make the same mistakes we made last week," admitted the coach of FC Caracas, Eduardo sarago.

The team arrived on Wednesday in Buenos Aires after several days of preparation. Their match in the local tournament against Atletico El Vigia was postponed. The club is in 9th place among 18 teams.

The match will be played on Thursday starting at 10:10 pm local time (01H20 GMT Friday) at the Néstor Díaz Pérez stadium. Calling the game will be Brazilian Sandro Ricci, assisted by his compatriots Emerson Carvalho and Marcelo Van Garsse.

Possible starting teams:

Lanus: Agustín Marchesín - Carlos Araujo, Paolo Goltz, Carlos Izquierdoz and Maximiliano Velázquez - Diego González, Leandro Somoza and Víctor Ayala - Lautaro Acosta, Santiago Silva and Oscar Benítez. COACH: Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Caracas FC: Alain Baroja - Francisco Carabalí, Roberto Tucker, Andrés Sánchez and Rubert Quijada - Bladimir Morales, Ricardo Andreutti, Rómulo Otero and Wuiswell Isea - Emilio Rentería and Edder Farías. COACH: Eduardo Saragó.

Guarani will seek to reverse the tie in the second leg against Universidad de Chile

Guarani of Paraguay on Thursday will look to overturn the 1-0 loss in the first leg against Universidad de Chile in Santiago last week.

The clash between Paraguayans and Chileans is set for 7:30 pm local time (22H30 GMT) at the Rogelio Livieres stadium in Asuncion.

A draw will not be enough for Guarani and a 1-0 win will force a shootout. If Guarani win by a one goal difference but U. de Chile also score than the ´U´ will be into the group stage.

The winner of the series will join Group 5 with Cruzeiro of Brazil, Defensor Sporting of Uruguay and Real Garcilaso of Peru.

For the Spanish coach of the Paraguayans, Fernando Jubero, the difference obtained by the Chileans in the first leg "is minimal" and his team "will have to impose their personality to win."

"We had a good game in Chile. We didn´t have the ball possession that we wanted. We lost it very quickly," he recalled.

Jubero will be without striker Federico Santander and in his place will be the debut of Colombian Cesar Caicedo.

Jubero didn´t hide the fact that he is preparing to attack in order to win the game. "Being down a goal requires us to search for a goal," he said.

"Nor will we forget that we have to be careful defensively, mark well and keep a clean sheet. We must be very focused to turn the score around," he said.

Veteran defender Julio Caceres said Guarani "comes to seek victory."

The Chileans are aware that the 1-0 scoreline does not guarantee anything and coach Cristian Romero knows his opponent is difficult.

"We´re not going to sit back and wait," he said.

Argentine midfielder Ramón Fernández predicted that Guarani are focused on the attack "and we can exploit the spaces for a counterattack."

Fernández will start on the bench to give his compatriot Gustavo Lorenzetti a place. Ruben Farfan will also rest for right-back Francisco Castro.

Paraguayan midfielder Rodrigo Rojas, Universidad de Chile, admitted that Guarani "is difficult" and acknowledged that the advantage "is small" but the team is psyched to win qualification in Asuncion.

The match referee will be Argentine Pablo Diaz. On the lines will be his compatriots Diego Bonfa and Ernesto Uziga.

Probable teams:

Guaraní: Alfredo Aguilar - Tomás Bartomeus, Julio César Cáceres, Luis Cabral, Édgar Aranda - Iván González Ferreira, Miguel Paniagua, Marcelo Palau, Darío Ocampo - Fernando Fernández and César Caicedo. COACH: Fernando Jubero.

Universidad de Chile: Luis Marín - Osvaldo González, Matías Caruzzo, José Rojas, Francisco Castro - Sebastián Martínez, Rodrigo Rojas, Roberto Cereceda, Gustavo Lorenzetti - Patricio Rubio and Rodrigo Mora. COACH: Cristian Romero.

Tillykke til Atletíco-PR, Botafogo og @KayOKay med Libertadores deltagelse!

Grêmio tog i går sejren mod Veranópolis efter scoring af piraten, Barcos.
Resten af resultaterne:

Cruzeiro 1x1 Esportivo
Passo Fundo 1x1 Aimoré
São Luiz 0x1 São José
Pelotas 0x1 Internacional

følgende kampe bliver spillet i aften:
Novo Hamburgo x Brasil de Pelotas
São Paulo-RS x Lajeadense
og den anden største derby i RS: Ca-Ju - Caxias do Sul x Juventude

På Søndag gælder det Gre-Nal 399.

NPATO , hvad tid søndag ?



River: Kranevitter mejoró y Carbonero sigue con molestias

BUENOS AIRES -- Los volantes Carlos Carbonero y Matías Kranevitter estuvieron el jueves en el departamento médico del estadio Monumental para ser atendidos por sus distintas molestias y trabajarán en forma diferenciada, en el entrenamiento de River en Ezeiza.

El médico Rafael Giulietti y el kinesiólogo Fabio Alvarez revisaron a ambos jugadores, y trascendió que Kranevitter se encuentra mejor de la gastroenterocolitis que le hizo perder varios kilos y creen que va a llegar a la primera fecha del torneo Final, contra Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, el domingo a las 21.30.

Carbonero, en cambio, sigue con molestias por una sinovitis en la rodilla izquierda y está en dudas para el debut en el Monumental.

"Lo vamos a esperar hasta último momento. Lo volveremos a evaluar mañana (viernes) pero no está descartado para jugar", explicó el doctor Giulietti.

Por la tarde, a las 17.30, el plantel conducido por Ramón Díaz hará una práctica de fútbol en el predio de Ezeiza, en donde Juan Carlos Menseguez ocupará el lugar de Carbonero, y Cristian Ledesma el de Kranevitter.

En otro orden de cosas, en las próximas horas se confirmará que el nuevo auspiciante de la camiseta será NetShoes (en lugar de Tramontina).

La marca pagará 1.200.000 dólares anuales al club, el doble que el sponsor anterior, y firmará un acuerdo por dos años.

Francisco Cerro: "Racing es un desafío enorme"

BUENOS AIRES -- El flamante refuerzo de Racing, Francisco Cerro, afirmó el jueves que jugar en el club de Avellaneda representa "un desafío enorme" en su carrera "por la envergadura" de la institución y "por su gente".
Cerro, con pasado reciente en Vélez, firmará el contrato en las próximas horas y estará a disposición de Reinaldo Merlo para la segunda fecha.

"Racing es un desafío enorme por la envergadura del club, por su historia y su gente, que exige pelear los primeros puestos", dijo Cerro en una entrevista con radio La Red.

El exvolante de Quilmes contó que luego de "casi tres años" en Vélez "necesitaba este tipo de desafíos", por lo que, según explicó, la gente que lo representa sabía que su "deseo era jugar en Racing".

Además, y consultado sobre su alejamiento del club de Liniers, el santiagueño remarcó que deja "no solo un buen equipo si no un grupo de amigos", pero aseguró estar "muy contento por este paso importante".

World Cup 2014 – Chile’s Chances

IT’S FIVE MONTHS UNTIL THE FIFA WORLD CUP – AND CHILE APPEARS TO HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF MAKING IT, ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL PUNDITS. AUSTRALIANS ARE MOROSE AT THE PROSPECT OF THEIR NATIONAL TEAM FACING CHILE’S EXCELLENT TEAM IN THE FIRST ROUND. HOWEVER, CHILE’S OWN COACH HAS EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE CHANCES HIS TEAM HAS OF WINNING THE COMPETITION. ARE THEY JUSTIFIED?

A Respectable Group

The group in which Chile finds itself contains some stiff competition. Group B comprises Chile, the Netherlands, Australia, and Spain. The Chilean team will find itself hard pressed against the formidable Spanish team, who currently holds the World Cup title, and the Netherlands – who played against Spain in the last World Cup final. The Netherlands are an extremely strong team, playing a pragmatic and highly tactical game – although team politics and internal strife could work against them. Australia is not deemed to present such a challenge. Indeed, many Australians despaired when the grouping was announced, dreading having to pit their strengths against the might of Chile, Spain, and the Netherlands. However, Australia should not be dismissed out of hand. Their defense is tough, and they are determined.

Chile faces Australia first, and a loss in this match could really turn the tables for both teams. It would give Australia the psychological boost they need to carry them through what many are terming the ‘Group of Death’, and would put Chile in a poor position to face its other strong opponents. However, it must be remembered that Chile is considered one of the top 20 teams in the world, while Australia is not. It is thus hoped that Australia will not present too much of a problem – leaving Chile fresh to face the other two teams, who will require a skilled and relentless game if a win is to be secured.

The Curse of Pele

Opinion regarding Chile’s chances of winning the entire competition is mixed. The great Pele has spoken out in favor of Chile, announcing the Chilean team among his top tips for this year’s World Cup. However, this may not be the confidence-booster it at first appears. Pele is infamous for the inaccuracy of his predictions. He predicted Colombia to win the World Cup in 1994 and Spain to win in 1998. Both teams were eliminated in the first round.

Undeterred, Pele went on to predict that Argentina and France would play each other in the 2002 World Cup final. Once again, both teams left after the first round. In 2002, he predicted that Brazil would not make it past the group stages. In accordance with Pele prediction tradition, Brazil naturally went on to win the entire competition. So Chilean fans should perhaps not rejoice about Pele’s enthusiasm for their team’s chances. Chile’s coach, Argentinean Jorge Sampaoli, has expressed reservations about Chile’s World Cup chances – a curious move for one supposedly coaching his team to victory. However, his words may have an ulterior motive.

Keeping The Pressure Off

The Chilean people have every reason to be optimistic about their chances. The Chilean World Cup team comprises an absolutely stunning cast of athletes, who have already proven themselves world-class players able to pit themselves against the game’s finest. Alexis Sánchez is a forward on the best possible form, Arturo Vidal is one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world, and Jorge Valdivia is reputed to be one of the two most naturally gifted footballers on the planet (the other being Diego Maradona).

Sampaoli himself is a brilliant coach who has formed the team into a footballing force to be reckoned with. It is likely that Sampaoli’s cautious words stem more from a desire not to get hopes feverishly high rather than actual pessimism. Sampaoli is known for his ‘holistic’ method of football coaching, believing that a freedom and joy in playing enhances performance – and is perhaps concerned that over-inflated national hopes would put undue psychological pressure on his players.

Fan Support

Chile is also likely to benefit from the climactic advantages of playing on their home continent. Since other players will have jet lag and need to acclimate. Although Chile must travel hundreds of miles into Brazil, they need not endure lengthy intercontinental flights, and are likely to be far more accustomed to the climate prevalent in Brazil than many of their foreign opponents will be. The team should also have the advantage of an increased fanbase, given the relative ease of getting from Chile to Brazil – although it should be remembered that football fans the world over are extremely dedicated and determined when it comes to following their national team.

Football lovers from all over the globe will be flooding into Brazil, no matter the obstructions in their way. People from football-mad nations like England are currently putting together travel plans, despite living thousands of miles away from Brazil. Websites like Money.co.uk are helping out cash-strapped English football fans by offering money-saving tips designed to allow England’s followers to “fit in the maximum football for the minimum cost”, meaning that Chile may not experience a significant increase in supporters compared to other teams. Nonetheless, tickets to see Chile play were gone in minutes: Chilean fans show every indication of taking advantage of Brazil’s proximity, and providing packed out stadia to cheer on their team.

Brazilian Infrastructure

Whether or not Brazil is prepared for this enormous influx of football fans is a moot point. Brazilian authorities have approved a further 1,974 flights in preparation for the deluge of football lovers about to descend upon the country, and President Dilma Rousseff is considering measures to prevent Brazilian airlines from abusing their position and hiking their prices – so getting into the country itself should not pose too much of a problem. However, concerns remain about Brazil’s infrastructure.

Despite promises to have a World Cup ready infrastructure in place by last year, many works are still in progress – and that progress is slow. So slow, in fact, that FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke grumbled in March that Brazil needed a “kick up the backside” if the country was to be ready on time. However, such grumbles have died away since then, so it is to be assumed that Brazil is knuckling down to the challenge, and will hopefully be able to accommodate and transport the worldwide legions of football fans by the time the competition comes around.

A Very Exciting Prospect

Whatever the final result, this World Cup promises to be one of the most thrilling to date for Chile. The team is spectacular, the venues superb, and the group in the first round is very exciting indeed. With only a few months to go until the competition, World Cup fever is heating up – and Chileans are beginning to feel that first tingle of exhilaration as they contemplate the challenge ahead.

@Deportivo FAS

19:30 brasileiro time. Så en 22:30 tiden tror jeg.

Tror NPATO har lidt styr på Samba, mon ikke manden fortsat er Belo Horizonte ? - han kigger ind forbi en gang i mellem , så sent som i weekenden slog han et slag for amerikanernes ret til at spille soccer her på bold.dk :-)

Dibben, jeg tænker han har travlt med undervisning, et stykke tid siden jeg har set ham - han reagere jo heller ikke på den paraguyanske finkultur iøjeblikket...så håber da han undgår stress

Sin stress amigos, sin stress

Er der i øvrigt sket noget spændende herinde på det sidste? Det er lang tid siden jeg sidst har haft tid til læse med. Der er også noget dameværk inde i billedet lige pt. Dog ikke sydamerikansk finkultur

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