The Italian Job

I was caught by surprise when Miguel Layun made an unexpected jump from Mexico's second division to Italy's Serie A. Not many people had heard of the youngster and much less was expected of him as a promising player.

Layun is back in Mexico after having played half a season with Atalanta. The former Veracruz player has now signed with America. The more I think of the transfer and how it went down the more I am convinced it was all part of his promoter, Carlos Hurtado, plan to raise the players value. Layun is only on loan but it remains to be seen wether he will return to Italy..

Macho Menos

Hugo Sanchez stint with Almeria has come to an end. I guess most people saw this comming as the Almeria directives had seen it fit to sell off it's top players and replace them with weak sauce.

The question I ask is why did'nt Hugo decide to leave that club at that point. He did have a choice. Granted, Hugo has claimed that he is up for a challange but by this point in his career he should have learned from his mistakes.

With the Mexican National Team Hugo claimed that he took the job as head coach despite being conditioned to take over the U-23 squad which failure to qualify to the Beijing Olympics ultimately cost him his post.

At Almeria Hugo had done a good job in his firs season to save the team from relegation. Once the directives told him of their plan to sell the top players and try to make it with the Youth squad well then Hugo should have packed his bags. I admire Hugo's determination but I feel that he is becoming a victim of his own perseverance.

The Song Remains the Same

"Es la misma canción y no puedo perder credibilidad con los futbolistas," Jose Luis Sanchez Sola told ESPN Radio show Raza Deportiva after Puebla players threatened to not paticipate in the upcoming Interliga tourney.

"No es cuestión de dinero, como tampoco es cuestión de tiempo. Nos hacen otra patraña; no tienen nombre. Quieren pagar sueldos hasta el 14 de enero, aunque todo estaba confirmado para pagar ayer. Es lo único que tengo para dar y me mantengo en esa línea porque no soy cómplice de esa decisión. No me presento a entrenar hasta que se solucione".

Y Ramoncito Que?

The treatment that Ramon Morales has been receiving as of late from Club Guadalajara is full of FAIL. Sure the player's time to leave the club has come but this could have been resolved in a better way. Morales deserves a better farewell and not be ushered through the back door.

Fracazul

This Cartoon is full of WIN. Terrazas does a great job of showing what is going through the minds of the Cruz Azul faithful who have suffered, at least, five straight championship defeats; from Interliga to League finals.

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a club, and then I found a club
And heaven knows I'm miserable now.. .

Aldo De Nigris

El Loco Bielsa

Reports from Chile have begun circulating a rumor that FMF officials have approached Marcelo "Loco" Bielsa and offered him the reigns of the Tricolor. Supposedly, Javier Aguirre has already told FMF that he will return to Europe after the World Cup is over and the Argentine is the prime candidate to take over the Mexican national team.

Charlize and Me

I do not remember much of previous World Cup draw's but South Africa's will be memorable if only because of Charlize Theron. There she was holding the balls that would predict Mexico's group outcome and for a moment I could care less who the Tricolor drew because we were in safe hands.

As for the group I must admitt I am excited that Mexico will open against the hosts and the weakest group rival. A draw and or win is very possible. France will be though and closing against Uruguay should be memorable.

Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi has been awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or after being recognised by journalists across the world as the best player of 2009. The Barcelona and Argentina star succeeds Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the trophy last year after helping Manchester United to glory in the 2008 Champions League. Messi has been enjoying a fine year, particularly in the second half of last season, when he won the Spanish League, Cup and European Cup.

Bad Boy Bofo

I am really stoked about Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista's possible transfer to my beloved Chivas de Guadalajara. One of the main concerns, however, seems to be his behaviour problems. Chivas head coach Jose Luis "Guero" Real expressed concerns over Bautista affecting the group's harmony.

And just what has Bofo done to deserve such a reputation. Well for starters his first name is Adolfo. At Bautista's first club Tecos it was said that Bofo got into a fight with his teammate Rodrigo Palacios and after laying the smacketh down on his candy ass challanged onlookers to get a taste of the Bofo stunner.

Bofo seemed to be on track with Morelia but his problems resurfaced at Pachuca which he still helped guide to a league title. Bofo's problems with the former Tuzo's coach Miguel Vucetith sent him to Chivas. At Guadalajara Bofo became a team Icon but his problems with Nestor de la Torre; whom he challanged to a tables, ladders, and chair, match, soon sent him to Jaguares where he has never really settled in.

I honestly do not care if Bofo has a bad temper. Perhaps, that is what some of the Chivas players need. To get their arse kicked. Bofo can smack some sense into Alberto Medina and Omar Bravo maybe the team can start qualifying to the liguilla once again.

Ireland's 33

According to FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, a delegation from the Irish FA asked him to consider making them the extra team – team 33 – at the World Cup. I understand that losing to a hand-ball is a fucked up way to get eliminated from a World Cup but that is just the way the ball rolls. You win some and you lose some. I really doubt that the hand ball was the only "cheat" pulled during the France-Ireland game it was just the most beneficial one.

Ibracadabra

I managed to wake up in time to catch the Barcelona vs. Real Madrid classico and Zlatan Inrahimovic's sick goal, in the 51st minute, that gave the Blaugrana's the win and placed them atop the table.

I must admit that as much as I like the Swede I have not been able to follow his exploits as I had done so when he had signed for Juventus in the 04/05 season. It was a squad which I thought was going to be one of the best teams ever.

Juve had Fabio Capello as coach, Buffon at goal, Fabio Cannavaro guiding the defense, Patrick Vieira comanding the midfield with an on-form Pavel Nedved, along with an always dangerous Alessandro Del Piero up top.

Sadly, that Juventus squad, however, was dismanteled and the club relegated to second division, Serie B, because of match fixing scandals. Ibra then moved to Internazionale Milan and I lost contact with him. While Zlatan continued to dominate the Serie A he has not been able to do the same in the Champions League. That should no longer be the case as Zlatan will be looked upon to help Barcelona retain their Champions League title.

Mexican League Predictions

Before the start of the 2009 Apertura season I had been asked to contribute to a Goal.com article with league predictions. Each writer had been asked to make three predictions. The first one being which team would Fail; for which I choosed Atlas. The Rojinegros were one of the worst teams of the season finishing in 15th and eventually sacked Antonio Lavolpe. The Argie was the main reason I choosed Atlas as I feel that he has been on a epic downfall since leaving the Mexican national team.

The second prediction asked for which team would be the surprise of the season. I went with Tigres UANL because of Daniel Guzman and players like Gaston "La Gata" Fernandez. While Tigres got off to a promising start: winning the 2009 Superliga tourney they only managed to finish the season in 10th place. The real surprise of the season without a doubt has been the Tomas Boy led Monarcas Morelia.

The final prediction asked to choose the eventual league Champion. I went with Cruz Azul which are still in the running to capture the Apertura Championship. La Maquina have already disputed three finals, two league and one Interliga, which they all lost. The main diffrence this time around is a good coach in Enrique Meza and a quality keeper in Jesus Corona. The diffrence maker, however, will lie in Tito Villa who has become one of the leagues best strikers. I have not been paying much attention to the liguilla but needless to say my money remains with Cruz Azul.

Farewell Tano

Antonio de Nigris Guajardo (April 1, 1978 - November 15, 2009) was one of my favorite football players. During his career, which was cut short at 31 by a fatal heart attack, De Nigris played in six different countries, also representing twelve clubs in nine years.

Staring at the Sea

Angelica: What's the matter?
Vergara: It's over. It's all over.

Angelica: I wanna ask you something important, and I want you to tell me the truth.

Vergara: What?
Angelica: Why'd you come here?

Vergara: I just don't want it no more.
Angelica: If it's over cos you want it to be, I'm glad. - I do.

Angelica: It's just, you've never quit anything since I've known you.
Vergara: I don't know what you want me to say. I mean, what happened? How did everything that was so good get so bad?

Angelica: What's so bad? Tell me. What?
Vergara: I wrecked everything by not thinking for myself. Why couldn't Nestor tell me where it was really at from the start? He didn't have to carry me and lie and make me think I was better than I was.

Vergara: You wake up one day thinking you're a winner, but you're not. You're a loser. Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are. I don't believe in myself no more! When a fighter don't believe, he's finished. That's it.

Angelica: That's not it. Why don't you tell me the truth?

Vergara: What are you puttin' me through? You wanna know the truth? I don't wanna lose what I got. At first, I didn't care about what happened. I'd go in the stadium, get bust up. But now there's you and the kids. I don't wanna lose what I got!

Angelica: What do we have that can't be replaced? What? A house. We got cars, money. We got everything but the truth. What's the truth, dammit?!

Vergara: I'm afraid! All right? You wanna hear me say it? You wanna break me down? I'm afraid. For the first time, I'm afraid.

Angelica: I'm afraid too. There's nothin' wrong with that.

Vergara: There is. For me, there is.
Angelica: Why? You're human.

Vergara: I don't know what I am. I know I'm a liar, and because of that, Nestor ain't here.

Angelica: You didn't push him into anything. He was a grown man. He did what he had to do. And you have no right to feel guilty. You don't! You were a champion. You did what you were expected to do. You did what everybody thought you should do. And you wanna tell me that those coaches weren't real? I don't believe it!

Angelica: It doesn't matter what I believe. You've got to carry that fear inside you, afraid everybody'll take things away, that you'll be remembered as a coward, that you're not a man any more. Well, none of it's true. It doesn't matter if I tell you because you're the one that's got to settle it.

Get rid of it! Cos when the smoke clears, and they stop chanting your name, it's just gonna be us. And you can't live like this. We can't live like this. Cos it's gonna bother you for the rest of your life. Look what it's doing to you now.

Lebrija thinks you can do it. So do I.But you gotta wanna do it for the right reasons. Not for the guilt over Nestor. Not for the people, not for the title, not for money, or me - but for you. Just you. Just you alone.

Vergara: And if I lose?
Angelica: Then you lose. But at least you lose with no excuses. No fear. And I know you could live with that.

Vergara: How'd you get so tough?
Angelica: I live with a Taquero.

Bittersweet Symphony

Mexico’s U-17 World Cup odyssey was wrapped in FAIL even before the venture began. It started with Jesus “Chucho” Ramirez abandoning his post as head coach of the Mexican national Youth Teams to sign a lucrative deal with club America. Assistant coach Jose Luis Gonzalez China was then promoted. Then a week before the tourney was set to begin star player Martin “Pito Loco” Galvan is dropped from the squad for sneaking in a hooker to the team’s hotel room.

Thus Mexico began their World Cup quest with a two-nil defeat against Switzerland. The Tricolor looked bad enough that an early exit from the tourney was the most logical conclusion but the lads managed to shake off their loss and surprise Brazil. Then in the last match of the group phase Mexico surprised a superior Japan and with a two-nil win advanced to the round of sixteen.

The match against Korea had Mexico in the quarterfinals up until the last minute when everything came crumbling down for the Tricolor. In my opinion it was a disaster, for lack of a better word, that could have been avoided. Many of my colleagues pointed at the team’s poor endurance leading to questions about why an inexperienced trainer was appointed to the U-17 squad. China’s substitutions also leave another question mark but the inexperienced coach cannot be held accountable. Then there is the Galvan factor and if his punishment was a bit extreme.


While Mexico had a respectable showing in Nigeria one cannot help but think what could have been had FMF been more serious about the national team’s participation in the Youth World Cup. Perhaps, the only consolation is that the success from the 2005 squad has now added pressure to the Youth Teams to perform to a higher standard. The bar has been raised for the Youth Teams but it is time that it is also raised for FMF directives whose decisions can either help or hinder the team’s aspirations.

Jose Luis "Guero" Real

Rafael Lebrija's era in Guadalajara has officialy started with Jose Luis "Guero" Real's first match at the helm of Chivas. Real who recently replaced the ousted Raul Arias was appointed by Lebrija. The Chivas Sporting President admitted to making the call to sack the former Necaxa head coach.

Real, who has been working in Chivas youth squads for the past couple of years, has finally received his chance with the senior team. While it is not sure wheter or not he will remain in the hot seat after the season is over it will be interesting to see how the team will perform under a coach that played a key role in debuting many of Chivas first team players.

Real's first match was a dissapointing 2-2 draw against Indios who leveled the match in the final minutes. Despite the bad result, given Chivas mediocre season, the club continues to have a chance to sneak into the playoffs when they face cross-town rivals Atlas in a sausy "six points" match.

Quiero un Jersey de rayas..

Quisiera conoser al pendejete que diseno esta atrocidad y meterle un chingadazo en los Huevos para que aprenda que con la decepcion nacional no se juega. No havia sentido tanto dolor desde que Meza era DT del Tri. Pinche Adidas te la mamaste.. Parece que la inspiracion del diseno biene de la familia peluche; inche bola de nacos que de seguro van a comprar esta porqueria..

Con mas ganas que futbol..

To quote the great Norberto Longo, whom I grew up hearing calling football matches, "Mexico gano con mas ganas que futbol". Indeed, Mexico's two-nil victory over Japan was more will power than a clear display of football prowess in the field. In the end a win is a win is a win.

Miguel Basulto

"The night before the match I had visualized that I scored a goal and the first thing I did, after scoring, was run to the bench and celebrate with my teammates," Miguel Basulto (no.6) told RECORD newspaper after scoring the match winner in Mexico's one-nil victory over Brazil at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Basulto is part of the six man Chivas de Guadalajara contingent in the Tricolor squad. Along with Basulto is team captain Kristian Alvarez, Goalkeeper Jose Rodriguez, defender Jairo Gonzalez, silky midfielder Abaraham Coronado (who was MOTM against Brazil) and Martin Ponce that are sure to one day make their was into Guadalajara's first team.

Marado 10

Looks like Maradona will have his owns suds although he is not involved with the brewery that is making the beer. Marado 10 is a product of Cerveceria Revolucionaria from Guadalajara Mexico and they plan on making more futbol themed beers as part of their liga cervecera line-up.

Unlucky 13

Match Week 13 of the Mexican Torneo Apertura proved to be unfavorable for my beloved Chivas de Guadalajara which fell 1-0 against archrivals America at the Azteca stadium. Chivas have now droped to third place of Group 2 stadings with 15 points and a minus 6 goal differential!

While Chivas is only two points behind second-place San Luis they are only one point ahead of cross-town rivals Atlas and two points of newcomers Gallos Blancos. Group leaders Toluca sit comfortably in first with 26 points. Toluca's coach is of course Jose "Chepo" de la Torre who last guided Chivas to a league title; ironically against the Diablos Rojos.

Needles to say Chivas has not been the same since Chepo was ousted. Worse yet is that the team has missed out in the last two league playoffs and missing for a third time is not out of the question. The question now remains what went wrong aside from Vergara going through a Merry-go-Round of coaches.

The Chivas Supermo already admited that having brough Jared Borgetti and Carlos Ochoa, last season, caused a disturbance in the lockeroom. However, neither Borgetti or Ochoa went to the media or were ever involved in any scandal. The Borg never complained despite being benched and Ochoa never lashed out despite being unjustly sent to the club's reserve team.

Obviously Chivas problem resides in the chaos created with the constant change of head coach. The tinkering with the teams line up, players losing continuity, tactical changes, etc have all led to the clubs downfall. The only hope that remains is that the latest changes; Raul Arias at the helm and Rafael Lebrija as sporting director, will straighten the club's path.

Cesar "Chelito" Delgado

I had all but forgotten about Cesar "Chelito" Delgado who at one time was regarded as the Mexican league's best player. Then he makes his prescence be known with a late goal to give Lyon a surprise 2-1 win over Liverpool FC. "I had scored goals before but none as important as this one," Delgado told uefa.com.

Delgado's most important goal, however, would have been his 87th minute strike against Brazil in the 2004 Copa America final. That goal had all but given Argentina the championship win until Adriano's equalizer three minutes into overtime. Brazil would go on to win the Cup via penalty kicks.

Carlos Pavon

Carlos Pavon Plummer went from zero to hero in the space of a few days whilst juggling the fate of his countries World Cup qualifying hopes. In a must-win home match against the United States the Honduran striker missed a crucial penalty kick shot that would have rescued a tie.

Pavon made up for it in El Salvador by scoring the match winner which ultimately sent the Catrachos to South Africa putting an end to over 20 years of missing out on the FIFA World Cup.

Hector Moreno

The AZ Akmaar defender, who was a member of the Mexican National U-17 team that won the 2005 U-17 World Cup held in Peru, finally managed to get some playing time in Mexico's two-goal draw against Trinidad & Tobago.

Moreno, who has been receiving call-ups since Javier Aguirre took over, patiently waited for his time to take the field. Moreno had a decent showing but his height (185m) and physical presnce should make him a suitable back up for either Rafael Marquez or Ricardo Osorio.

Operation Save Nery

The latest news making the rounds is of Nery Castillo joining my beloved Chivas de Guadalajara, on loan, after the winter transfer window opens. This same news had me reeling in excitement almost two years ago and nothing happened. This time round, however, Nery is in a tight spot and it is more than likely that he will indeed play in the Mexican league..

Nos Vamos al Mundial

Mexico qualifies to the WC.. I shall update later, a celebrar se dijo..

El Gatillero Palencia

Francisco Palencia was supposed to be one of Mexico's top players during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The Cruz Azul midfielder had a breakthough performance in the 2000-2001 Copa Libertadores which landed him a contract with La Liga outfit RCD Espanyol.

However, Palencia never got much of a chance to play with the Tricolor during the World Cup. Rumors of a possible meltdown with head coach Javier Aguirre surfaced but neither player or coach ever talked on the subject.

Now, with Palencia's career reaching an end el "Gatillero" has received a surprise call up, for the final Hexagonal mateches, from Aguirre who is back in the Tricolors helm. This time Palencia is not at the top of his game he is not even starting for current club Pumas UNAM.

I would not be surprised if Palencia's call-up is a going away present from Aguirre who feels that el Gatillero deserves a better a proper send off from the national team and what better way than by helping the Tricolor qualify to the World Cup.

Braulio Luna

After a five year abscence from the National Team Braulio Luna finally made his long awaited return to the Tricolor in Mexico's 2-1 defeat against Colombia. Despite the defeat the San Luis team captain showed his worth and played a key role in Mexico's loan goal. Wether or not his performance was enough to warrant a second call-up remains to be seen.

Dijo mi Mama que siempre No..

"México se retira de la participación en el proceso de licitación para los Mundiales 2018 y 2022," anuncio el secretario general de la Federación Mexicana de Futbol (FMF), Decio de María, en conferencia de prensa.

"La Federación Mexicana de Futbol informa que consultadas las divisiones profesionales decidió separarse de la licitación para dichos Mundiales. Primero por el entorno económico mundial y la inversión económica que se requeriría".

Layun's debut

"I felt the type of adrenalin one feels during a match but with nerves included for playing in a league game. It was a very special match for me and the moment I stepped into the field I knew that it would be a very important moment for me," Miguel Layun told Record newspaper after making his Serie A debut in Atalanta's one-goal draw against Chievo Verona.

Runnin' With The Devil

Omar Arellano

A double salvo by Omar Arellano, in the span of five minutes, helped Club Deportivo Guadalajara defeat Chivas USA 2-0 in a friendly exhibition match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Arellano, who entered the match in the second-half, looked like his old self; fast, agile, and very lethal.

What makes Arellano special for the Chivas faithful is not his potential but that he is Chivas Royalty. Arellano is the son of Omar Arellano Nuno who won a league championship with Chivas in the 86-87 season. Arellanos granfather, whom he takes his nickname from, is Raul "La Pina" Arellano was part of the lengendary Campeonisimo squad.

Indeed, the young Arellano is a third generation Chivas player. And one of the most promising upstarts Chivas has seen since Carlos Vela was whisked away by Arsenal. All that remains for Arellano, who has proven to be very injury prone, is to remain healthy enough to prove his worth.

Arellano already missed the first-half of the Mexican Apertura season but already he has been called to the Mexican national team for the friendly against Colombia.

Jonathan Dos Santos

Jonathan Dos Santos was expected to follow in his older brothers Giovani's footsteps and lead the Mexican U-17 team to glory but that never happened as former youth national team Coach Jesus Ramirez left him out of the squad that would be competing in the CONCACAF U-17 Championship.

Not only was Jonathan left out of the squad but also embarrassed in the process as he was stripped off his Tricolor uniform at the airport on his way home. Jonathan was never called back by Ramirez and the Tricolor team failed to reach the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The comparisons with Giovani, who won the tourney two years earlier, stopped and Jonathan faded into obscurity.

Jonathan, however, continued working in the Barcelona youth squads and soon news of a possible call up to the Spanish youth national team began making the rounds. The Mexican media began questioning Jonathan's prior treatment. Jonathan received even more attention as he was included in Barcelona's first team pre-season squad that tourned the United States.

While Jonthan's career has been limited to the Barcelona youth squads Mexico boss Javier Aguirre has seen fit to call up the younger of the Dos Santos. Perhaps, it is a move to cap tie the upstart or perhaps he is convinced that the lad can compete for a spot in Mexico's senior national team. In any case on September 30th Jonathan should be making his debut against Colombia.

Brian Leyva

Over a year ago news about Real Madrid's interest in signing unknown youngster Bryan Leyva hit the net. This had come after the Tricolor had won the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup which had unearthed the gems that are Giovani Dos Santos and Carlos Vela. Another gem, specially one that had never been seen before, seemed too good to be true.

Leyva did indeed go to Madrid where he had some try outs but for one reason or another he did not sign with the Spanish Giants. And as the months passed the prospect of Leyva being the next best thing began to dwindle. News that Leyva would sign with Tigres UANL or Chivas de Guadalajara made their rounds but instead Bryan settled for MLS outfuit FC Dallas Juniors.

I have yet to see Bryan play, aside from a few YouTube videos here and there, but his recent call up to Mexico's U-17 squad that is set to compete in the 2009 FIFA Youth World Cup in Nigeria has once again lighted up interest in him. Should Bryan make Mexico's World Cup squad he will certainly be amongst one of the players that will be closely followed and expected to make a difference in the field.

Raul Arias

I just suffered through a very tedious one-nil Club Deportivo Guadalajara victory over Jaguares de Chipas with the loan satisfaction that Francisco Ramirez is no longer at the helm of my beloved Chivas. That task is now at the hands of Raul Arias who was chosen over candidates like Fernando "Sheriff" Quirarte and Ignacio Ambriz. Despite the win Chivas was booed off the field by their faithful followers.

My judgment is still out on Arias. The one positive note he has is that he is the second coach, since Vergara has been in charge, that has experience. The first coach was Xavier Azkargota, best remembered for coaching Bolivia in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, who had been inactive for over ten years. The rest of the Chivas coaches, under Vergara's reign, have all gotten their start at the storied club.

As for Arias well he was assistant of Manuel Lapuente at Necaxa which he later coached for a good ten years before taking over San Luis. Arias returned to Necaxa to try and save them from relegation but was unsuccessful. Now he is at Chivas which, while not fighting to avoid the drop, are in danger of missing the league playoffs for a third consecutive tourney.

The irony in all of this is that for many years Arias was viewed as Lapuente's successor to take over club America but instead he was sent to little brothers San Luis. It is believed that Arias came to Chivas under the recommendation of Emilio Azkaraga, America's owner, and brought by Carlos Hurtado one of the most shady and powerful promoters in Mexican football.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco

Cuauhtémoc Blanco's celebration, after scoring the match winner against Honduras, said it all; I am still here. The Tricolor icon placed two fingers infront of his mouth and pretended to smoke. The gesture was to refrence the chain smoking former Tricolor coach Ricardo Antonio Lavolpe who had robbed Temoc out of participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Now, at 36 years of age the volatile striker was catapulting Mexico to second place in the CONCACAF Hexagonal with a well placed penalty kick shot. A significant goal that not put an end to the belief that Temoc's time with the national team had come and gone but assured that the Tricolor icon gets to play in another World Cup before he hangs his boots.

Green Street 2

I really liked Green Street Hooligans, except for the ending which was rather weak, so I was stoked to find out that a sequel had been made. I was expecting a follow up of the members of the GSE (Green Street Elite) but instead what I got was a prison movie sans the arse rape. None of the original cast from Green Street returns, save for Ross McCall, who reprises his role as Dave.

So, Dave along with two of his GSE mates fight off Chelsea hooligans and then are transfered to another prison where they are constantly under attack from memebers of the Millwall firm which they had rumbled against in the first film. The grand final is when the GSE take on the Millwall Bushwackers in a game of football where the winners will be let free, meh.

Beep, beep..

I am not sure what I was most impressed with; Giovani's 25 yard blast to open the scoring, against Costa Rica, or the way he ran past defender Junior Diaz to set up Guillermo Franco for Mexico's second goal. That play reminded me of the Roadrunner flying past Wild E Coyote; whose attempts to catch the long-legged bird always ended in Epic Fails.

With Gio leading Mexico to an impressive three-nil victory at San Jose's Saprissa Stadium Mexico are now in third place and with a great chance of taking the lead in the Hexagonal when they host Honduras this Wednsday. Giovani will once again be expected to be the diffrence maker as he has now been turned into Mexico's "Savior" a title which he has done his best to play down.

Chiva Clasico

Que mamadas son estas, Y quien fue el pendejo que se le ocurio nombrar al amistoso Chiva Clasico. No recuerdo ver ningun partido entre ambas Chivas y ya es clasico; vayanse a la Verga..

El Hachita Luduena

Daniel "Hachita" Luduena arrived to the Mexican League in 2004 to play with Tecos and in the five years that he has been plying his trade in Mexico has become one of the best foreigners in the league. Last year Luduena applied for Mexican citizenship and it was believed that he was in former coach Sven Goran Ericksons plans to received a call-up to the national team.

Luduena also suffered a series of injuries that hindered his performance with current club Santos Laguna which coincidentaly struggled in league play. This season Luduena appears to be back. Hachitas brace in Santos recent two-goal draw against Tigres have certainly put him back in the spotlight.

My question now is; does Javier Aguirre have any plans to include Luduena in the Tricolor. The current Mexico boss seems to have discarded Pavel Pardo and Zinha; a spot that Hachita will be more than willing to cover in the Tricolor.

Super Plastico

I would like to pretend that I care for the Chivas USA vs. Los Angeles match up but that is no longer the case. The L.A derby, the only derby in MLS, was one of the few games that would take me to the Home Depot Center. However, that no longer happens as I find myself detaching from the Chivas franchise with each passing season.

For starters the fact that the matchup gets named the Honda Super Clasico even before the two team’s even play a single game pissed me off. I believe Honda has since dropped off as sponsors but the game keeps being marketed as the Super Cassico with a nifty trophy awarded to the winner of the three or four game series. Regardless, the rivalry is far from being a Super Clasico.

A Super Clasico is the type of game that divides a country in half, it is a game between the two most popular teams, and lines are drawn. Important events and games are settled during Super Clasico's; all of which are still lacking from MLS version of the mother of all league games.

Another important factor of a Super Clasico is the number of important matches disputed by the rivals. Chivas and Galaxy have yet to meet in Championship finals; granted the rivalry is only four years old. Still, there has been no reason to market a fledging rivalry as a Super Classico that is only deceiving the fans. I have no doubt that the L.A derby can become a great matchup but we are still a few years away from that to happen

And the main reason I have been staying away from the Super Plastico has been the Home Depot Center front office which have banned the Union Ultras and Legion 1908 from using flags and fireworks; pretty much terminating any real passion present in the stadium to ensure MLS remain a mom and pop league. Match atmosphere is a very important aspect to the game take that away and I would rather watch the game at home.

Damian Manso

There are many promising players that get touted as the next best thing and at 16 years of age Damian Manso was going to be the second coming of Maradona. I was fortunate to have seen one of Manso’s first games with Newell’s Old Boys and throughout the years kept tabs on the upstart Argentine.

Unfortunately a string of injuries marginalized Manso and kept him away from the spotlight. The crafty midfielder even had two failed stints in Europe with French outfit Bastia and the Greek club Xanthi; with each failed run leading him back to Newells. I had all but forgotten about Manso until watching the 2008 FIFA club’s World Cup semi-final’s match between Pachuca and LDU Quito.

It was there that I learned that Manso had been a key figure in Quito’s Copa Libertadores conquest. At 30 years of age Manso was finally fulfilling half of his projected potential. Manso’s participation in the club’s WC earned him the bronze ball and a contract with Pachuca.

El Chelis

Ever since Jose Luis Sanchez Sola, commonly known as Chelis, took over the reins of the modest Puebla he has become one of the Mexican Football League’s most controversial figures. It has been almost three years now since Chelis arrival to the coaching scene and I must admit my impression of the Pierluigi Colina look alike has greatly changed.

My first impression of Chelis, with all due respect, was that of a little bitch. Chelis caught his fair share of the agro from the Mexican media, which had a field day, every time the Puebla boss began tearing up at post match press conferences. Now, I am not sure what happened between the Apertura 2006 to the 2009 season but Chelis balls grew to the size of Grapefruit.

The images of a teary eyed Chelis have now been replaced by that of a no nonsense, take no prisoners, lumberjack of a man that happens to look like Mr. Clean. Indeed, the big-balls Chelis not only told the CONCACAF higher ups to go fuck themselves up their stupid asses but he also said what many have wanted to say in the MFL and were afraid to say; that Pachuca cheats to win.

Perhaps, Chelis claims have been out of line but there is no denying that he is a changed man. Chelis outbursts, however, have come at a price and the Puebla coach has now been fined on two occasions. As for Chelis capabilities as a coach; with the bald man at Puebla’s helm the “Camoteros” have gone from relegation candidates to reaching the league semifinals.

It's Nacho team anymore

Ignacio "Nacho" Ambriz, having spent the past seven years under the tutelage of Javier "Vasco" Aguirre, turned down a lucrative offer to be part of the Mexican national team’s coaching staff in order to pursue a job as head coach. Last season Ambriz was offered the reigns of Chivas de Guadalajara but Nacho politely declined as he had unfinished business in Madrid.

In a strange turn of events Ambriz refusal opened the doors for Francisco Ramirez to take over the Guadalajara side. Ramirez stint with Chivas, however, has been nothing short of disastrous and with the club having already missed the last two league playoffs Pacos bad start of the season has him with one foot out of the institutions revolving door.

Rumors have now hit the airwaves and Vergara is believed to have given Paco one last chance against Pachuca. Nothing short of a well played victory will keep Ramirez at Guadalajara and seeing how the club has been performing I would not be surprised if Paco prepares his suit case before the match.

Already lined up to take over Ramirez is Ambriz. The former Necaxa and Mexico midfielder is known for his no nonsense attitude and hard work ethic. Ambriz time in Spain, helping coach Osasuna and Atletico de Madrid, is more preparation than all of the debutant coaches who have taken over the helm under Vergara’s reign. In that sense Nacho should be more than capable of turning Chivas fortunes around.

Luis Angel Landin

Luis Angel Landin was set to become the heir apparent to Jared Borgetti but amidst the hype the once promising striker fell by the wayside. Landin's venture with Cruz Azul, much like his stint with the Tricolor, left much to be desired. Perhaps realizing he had done everything he could in the Mexican League the lanky forward decided to switch to Major League Soccer.

I am not sure what prompted Landin to play with the Houston Dynamo but his move is a first for any Mexican player in their prime. Juan Pablo Garcia had moved from Atlas to Chivas USA but only after being blacklisted by the MFL’s “Gentlemen’s Pact” and there seems to be similarities with Landin's transfer as it is not Cruz Azul involved in the deal but Morelia.

Thiago Martins

One of the worst displays of professional football I have ever seen came from my home town team Chivas USA in their inaugural 2005 season. Club owner Jorge Vergara had boosted “the peace and quiet ends now”, or something along those lines, making it seem as if the Guadalajara franchise was going to revolutionize Major League Soccer.

That, however, never happened as Chivas display on the field went from bad to worse. And of all the players from the very first Chivas USA team that have long disappeared the one that always comes to mind is Thiago Martins; The Brazilian striker from Sao Paolo whose pursuit of the American dream took him from beach bum to professional football player.

Martins also has the distinction of being the first player to score an official goal for Chivas USA assuring that his name will long be linked to the Los Angeles club. Other than that Martins was rather useless. He sucked so bad that the USSF did not even try to cap him. And after three years in MLS and having only scored six goals Martins ended up at FK Bodø/Glimt of the Norwegian top flight. Martins scored 20 goals in his first season and his since become the clubs most valuable player!

Little Boy Blue

Last week's Hexagonal match-up between Mexico and the United States was supposed to be the game where Landon Donovan finally succeeded in defeating the Tricolor at the mighty Colosus of Saint Ursula; the estadio Azteca. And after nine minutes it appeared that he would do just that.

Donovan set up Davies with a brilliant pass to open the scoring sheet. The so-called "Mexicutioner" seemed poised to fulfill every Nads fan boys wet dream. However, as the minutes draged on so did Landon who in his final act was outpaced by Efrain Juarez who set up the match winner.

A few days after the match news surfaced that Landycakes had played whilst suffering from the H1N1 virus. Regardless of Donovan's condition the U.S have now fallen to the Tricolor for the second straight game and have allowed a surprising seven goals. I like where this rivalry is headed..

Return of the prodigal son

"Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found". – (Vergara 15:32, CHV)

After a failed stint with Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna Bravo has returned to Chivas de Guadalajara. It was a though year for both Chivas and Bravo. While the speedy striker warmed the bench Chivas missed out on both the Apertura 08 and Clausura 09 league playoffs.

Many fans fear that Bravo's return will affect the rise of upstarts: Chicharo Hernandez and Omar Arellano. While both players have the potential to be good they have yet to match Bravos consistancy. Chivas afterall is not a feeder club but one of the top Mexican clubs.

Chivas needs Bravo as much as the striker needs the club. Hopefuly, with Bravo back on the field Chivas can once again qualify for the league playoffs and boost a strong attack when they make a run for Copa Libertadores glory. As for Hernandez and Arellano; the cream always rises to the top.

Mas Que un Empate

So, last week my beloved Chivas de Guadalajara played European super-champions Barcelona in a meaningless friendly that ended with a one-goal draw.

After the match Chivas owner Jorge Vergara claimed that Chivas should have won; even if they only managed to get two shots on goal all game. Vergara's comments if anything were made to show that he is still backing up Francisco Ramirez.

Vergara went against his own word with his comments as he has been doing ever since taking over the club. According to the Chivas Supremo the club's philosophy is to always play an attacking style of football. Well, against Barcelona Chivas philosophy turned to bunkerball.

I can understand why the team played the way they did; a heavy loss could have brought down team morale. Still, no need to bullshit the fans. Many of whom were hoping for a defeat if only to get Francisco Ramirez sacked. The coach has yet to convince the Chivas faithful.