Pelotas' Ponderings: MLS sked favorable for more super signings?

Can the league's spring-to-fall campaign attract more players in a WC year? 

There's no doubt the reasonings behind Julio Cesar's reported interest of a loan to the ever-increasingly glamorous Toronto FC (never thought anyone would write that!) is playing time--especially in a World Cup year. In his native Brazil.

The veteran keeper has fallen out of favor on ol' 'arry Redknapp's Queens Park Rangers side but, at the same time, his hefty wages have been weighing on the club's books. Surprisingly, no other team has come in to swoop the 34-year-old Brazilian.

There's been talk of teams in South America looking to engage his services, specifically participating camps in South America' prestigious Copa Libertadores tournament. Recent reports had him in advanced negotiations with Gremio but that was shot down pretty fast by club officials. Money, again, was an issue.

If the Toronto interest is true, Major League Soccer may have just realized that it could be chipping at a gold mine in its strategy to bring over blockbuster signings in their prime. Their spring-to-fall schedule may benefit the league short- and long-term. It's been analyzed and written that MLS will eventually be able to compete with the world's leagues for some of the game's best players. But did anyone think that the league could attract some now? Can MLS scramble and grab a few top names before the competition? Would it be possible for Euro 2016 and Russia 2018?

The U.S. national team's domestic players will have a nice advantage of being in-season form ahead of the World Cup this year while most of the globe's seasons conclude about two months before the tournament. With Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley all in MLS until Jurgen Klinsmann comes calling them to camp, will these players provide momentum for their difficult group matches?

Julio Cesar may have just found the spark he needs to add to his 77 caps with the national team, which  is under immense pressure to lift its sixth trophy on its home soil. Continuous play and aerial challenges against physical MLS sides could just be what 'Big Phil' Scolari is counting on to complete his puzzle come June.

-TioPelotas

@TioPelotas74

South America's top competition kicks off tonight

Quietly and under the radar, the 55th edition of the Copa Libertadores kicks off tonight as 38 clubs fight to raise the continent's top trophy and succeed Brazil's Atletico Mineiro as champions. The competition is as pure as it gets but the glitz and glamour of Europe's Champions League is notably not as comparable in Libertadores. But trying convincing the press and the participating teams' fervent supporters that the Copa is not as relevant.

The preliminary phase, which involves 12 teams paired up for a home-and-away series, will begin tonight (6pm ET) in Bolivia as Oriente Petrolero hosts one of South America's traditional giants in Uruguay's Nacional, which should have been favorites to move on. Petrolero's fans, on the other hand, have reason to be ignited with confidence instead: some of Nacional's first-team regulars will be unable to partake in the competition as they were banned by Uruguay's civil court after a massive brawl in a friendly derby last week against rivals Penarol.

The Bolivians, which are already a couple of rounds into their domestic season, just hired 39-year-old Uruguayan Tabare Silva as their manager, and who better to tactically figure out countrymen than he. Look for Bolivian veteran centerback Ronaldo Raldes to guide his side as he returns to his country after a decade abroad.

In Mexico (8:15pm ET), Morelia welcomes Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe. The Mexicans named a new manager last night after kicking out their previous one via Twitter last week. Morelia has a tight schedule over the next week, with the two-legged Copa series and a league match against reigning Mexican champs Leon this weekend. Will they survive? The Mexicans have a nice quartet of South Americans in their books, including Ecuador national-team winger Jefferson Montero who will face off against his compatriot Edison Mendez.

Mendez is part of a major overhaul in Sante Fe, who made it all the way to the Copa semifinals last year. Fans are also happy that striker Jonathan Copete is back in Colombia after seven years abroad along with veteran Wilder Medina. 

Keep checking back for more updates and reviews for Copa Libertadores news.

-TioPelotas

@TioPelotas74

Red Bulls, Dynamo don't need stats

Winner advances to Eastern conference final

This is America so let's look at the stats for tonight's second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the New York Red Bulls and Houston Dynamo at Red Bull Arena (8pm ET).

The Texas side have been to the last two MLS Cup finals but lost both to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Dynamo, founded in 2006, have two MLS Cup trophies to their name, missed the playoffs once and is a different animal altogether postseason, given their experience and managerial team led by Dominic Kinnear.

The Red Bulls, meanwhile, have lost all three of their home playoff matches dating back to 2010 (San Jose Earthquakes, Galaxy and D.C. United) when their stadium opened. They also have not won a playoff match at home since 2005 when they played at the old Giants Stadium. 

But the Red Bulls are 11-2-4 at home this season, 3-0 against the Dynamo at home in the past two years and have outscored them 9-3 in three matches since September all in Houston, including last weekend's first-leg draw.

                                     Photo by Danissa Alvarado


Stats aside, tonight's match should be a cracker as Houston will draw on its experience postseason as the Dynamo still boast most of its players from the last two finals with Brad Davis leading the way and Will Bruin and Boniek Garcia bombarding the Red Bulls defense.


For New York, the consistency in the 2013 campaign that resulted in its first trophy last week will be counted upon. Although their backline boulder--Colombian Jamison Olave--is suspended for tonight's return leg, manager Mike Petke is confident in his side's depth as he moves some pieces to avoid its defense missing a beat to contain Houston's dangerous attackers. But the thought of deciding whether Roy Miller comes back from injury or leaving David Carney in is one that Red Bulls supporters are biting their nails over.

One curse down for New York but will they best the home playoff demons?

INTERVIEW: Peru's Number 1 Still Learning His Craft

Raul 'Superman' Fernandez looks forward to tough task in Metropolis

Peruvian National 'keeper speaks exclusively to FootballGeezer

Raul Fernandez has enjoyed the sceneries that his football life has taken him from his hometown in Peru to France and to the U.S. He points to the passionate atmospheres of Seattle, Portland and Kansas City and is at peace with his family in Texas. 

But this weekend, as he descends upon the New York metro area for his first MLS match here against the New York Red Bulls, the FC Dallas goalkeeper is pure business and speaks of the need for three vital points.

"We're looking forward to playing against a top team but, truth be told, the pressure's on them, as they're at home," Fernandez, 27, said in a phone interview with FootballGeezer. "For me personally, it's going to be fun since it'll be my first time (at Red Bull Arena) and both teams will be fighting for a win. It'll be an attractive match."

The Peruvian international, who signed with Dallas from Nice in France in January, said he didn't think twice about coming to MLS when he heard of the opportunity and was happy to see firsthand its stature of a growing league.

"I was pleasantly surprised by its physical aspect," he added. "There is much to say about this league and more and more people will be talking about it because it's very competitive."

After being named an MLS All-Star this past summer, Fernandez soaked it all in, even having his pictures taken with Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan before the game against Roma.

"The All-Star game was a new experience for me, which I enjoyed immensely," Fernandez said. "It was such a positive experience to be on the field with players of that quality but it was a personal motivation for me to strive and be there again next year."

Aside from the All-Star festivities, Fernandez touched on the playoff system here but was generally humble about it.

 "Truth is, one needs to adapt overall to any changes or customs that every country has," he reflected. "I had culture shock in France and it was very rough in the beginning but once you accustom yourself, everything works out on its own."

Is he now a full-fledged Texan then?

"Well, I'm very happy here and I hope to stay for years," Fernandez added. "We're in a family-oriented environment and my family is at peace here. To me, that's first and everything else is second."

But Fernandez realizes everything isn't etched in stone. The goalkeeper strives to fight for his place every week and said he wants to continuously impress his manager. He takes it game-by-game but his near-term goal is to help Dallas get into the playoffs.

"As I've learned my whole life, no one is assured of their position," Fernandez said. "I work and train hard all the time whether it's with Dallas or the National team."

But with a long-offseason that most players around the globe aren't accustomed to, Fernandez is asked whether or not he'd consider a loan move after this year's campaign ends.

"That's something I actually haven't thought about," he paused. "But, yes, of course I'd like to have continuity so I can't rule it out. Obviously, that's something that has to be worked out. However, my objective right now is this season and that's to be a champion. After that, we'll see."

- Freddy Sebastian

@TioPelotas74

FC Dallas at New York Red Bulls,
Red Bull Arena

Harrison, N.J.

Sunday, Sept. 22 5pm ET

©FootballGeezer, Freddy Sebastian 09192013

Write to FootballGeezer at @FootballGeez or joeymelv@gmail.com

South American football at its finest

Tio Pelotas will still tell me Peruvian football is on the way up!

Great finish from the lad - real quality technique.

Why amateur teams never change shirts

Tio Pelotas seems to spend his time trawling the internet for things like this, but who am I to tell a man with the nickname 'Uncle Balls' what to do.

We've all been in this situation - I can remember starting games with less than 11 - and it's a good lesson in why you always check for the paper first, or use the boxers!

River Plate and Boca Juniors making moves

New Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, summed it up last month in an interview when he was asked about his thoughts on the Manchester derby with United --- it'll be a walk in the park compared with the clasico in Argentina.

The Chilean master was boss at River Plate and described how the city shut down, how he had to be trapped at home because of his own fans' wrath if results didn't go their way and the intensity felt inside of River's and Boca Junior's respective stadiums during derbies.

The Inicial part of the campaign (first of two) kicks off today with Boca and River making headlines with some moves.

David Trezeguet, who signed on with River after they were relegated and helped them to promotion, didn't want to leave Argentina and is now at reigning champions Newell's Old Boys. River also brought in Colombian forward Teofilo Gutierrez, who pulled out what was later discovered to be a toy gun on teammates while at Racing Club. It also looks like Uruguayan Rodrigo Mora has reached a verbal agreement to leave Benfica and go to River as well but international slots may be a problem now. In any case, River is looking to build up a credible team to help it forget its descent into the second division just a couple of years ago.

Meanwhile, Boca inked Fernando Gago from Valencia in Spain. Gago played with Velez Sarsfield on loan last year and was average but Boca decided he's a piece to their ongoing puzzle to regain competitiveness after a disastrous campaign last year. Also returning to Boca is Daniel 'Cata' Diaz to help with their defending but supporters are still reeling from the losses of Uruguayan marksman Santiago Silva, who left for Lanus, a side managed by Boca legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Walter Erviti, who took off to Mexico.

One side that won't be participating in first-division action is Independiente, known as the "king of cups," after they were relegated last year.

While Brazilian football has recently attracted stars to its league, which has gotten stronger, Argentina has seen its share of mismanagement and financial debacles lead to distractions that has affected play on the pitch. But the competition has never lost its passion and purity and every supporter should keep up with Argentina's Primera as much as possible.

-Tio Pelotas

Never miss a kick - even from the throne

Games should be watched live - DVR isn't always an option

Thanks to Tio Pelotas for this ahead of the start of the Argentinian league this weekend.

I'm disappointed he's not holding a beer, but she should be thankful he's not using her new scarf as toilet paper, because you know he's not leaving that TV.

 

The Gold Cup - that summer trophy every player dreams of

Klinsmann Finally Facing Some Selection Questions

Teams finally begin to challenge the US/Mexico monopoly on the Gold Cup

If there’s a time for the U.S. to lift the Gold Cup trophy, it’d be now. Sure, they’re deploying a ‘B’ team and wins over Cuba and Belize won’t exactly light a fire in any other international tournament but this is still a competition---a win will send them to the next Confederations Cup slated to be in Russia in a few short years. And the U.S. side looked and played dynamic in their wins over Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Now’s the real test: Honduras in the semifinals. The Catrachos have risen in the ranks of CONCACAF, especially after qualifying for the World Cup in 2010 and subsequently sending their best players to top leagues. They beat the U.S. in the first round of the hexagonal qualifying stages earlier this year, the last time the U.S. suffered a loss in nine matches in 2013. And they haven’t been to the Gold Cup final since 1991, where they lost to the U.S. in penalties.

The U.S. is still reeling from its 4-2 loss to Mexico in the 2011 edition. But their wave of confidence at the moment should help them to not only lift the trophy this year but also provide manager Jurgen Klinsmann with a headache when planning to see how his ‘B’ team players will fit into his ‘A’ side come the World Cup next year.

Canada are the only team other than the US or Mexico to have won the Gold Cup (in 2000), but with the Klinsmann trying a few players out and El Tri (who play Panama in the other semi-final) struggling for form, maybe times are changing in the Gold Cup.

                                                                                                         -Tio Pelotas

Ronaldinho looks to add the Copa to his collection

Olimpia host Atletico Mineiro in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final 

Tio Pelotas gives his take on the South American showpiece

The Copa Libertadores final kicks off its first leg tonight in Paraguay where three-time champions Olimpia will host Ronaldinho and Atletico Mineiro, a side founded 105 years ago with no international titles (unless you count their two Conmebol Cups, a defunct competition).

Both teams took similar routes to the final, have highly-touted offensive weapons and dispatched opponents with dynamic and technical attacks.

Atletico Mineiro and Olimpia scored 27 and 23 goals, respectively, in the competition so far. The games will be interesting if both continue with their assaults on goal. Between them, they boast seven players with four goals or more in 12 matches.

However, the Paraguayans and its history with the competition have the psychological advantage. They've reached the final on seven occasions now, participated 38 times in the competition and lifted the trophy three times. The Brazilians have only partaken in Libertadores six times. But this is football. Psychology or not, the better team will take home South America's coveted trophy.

And there there's Ronaldinho. He's reborn and is looking to add to his World Cup 2002, two Spanish league, Serie A and Champions League medals. Even if his side take home the trophy, will we see him add to his 97 caps with the national team after 'Big' Phil Scolari all but said 'dinho was not in his plans for next year's World Cup?

A talking to? Maybe a yellow!

Peru's second division is not for the light-hearted

Willington 'Adao' Smith is maybe a little high

Tio Pelotas* spotted this while trawling some lower level South American games. Apparently 'Adao' means 'gentle and loving.'**

* That's Uncle Balls if you can't be bothered to use the translate button.
** it doesn't.