Paco and Loco

I was disappointed when Juan Pablo Garcia and Francisco Palencia both left Chivas USA and MLS in December. Garcia had the makings of a star but instead chose to go back to Mexico to be closer to one dream - playing for El Tri. Palencia, meanwhile, probably wanted another challenge. The guy has accomplished so much in his career that he could have stayed here and played out his days and nobody would have thought too much about it.

It's funny how different their careers are now that they are gone. Garcia can't get any playing time while Palencia is back with El Tri, back after spending 18 months in MLS, which I guess isn't too much of a hindrance on someone's career after all.

Garcia improved in MLS. He's better now than he was when he arrived. His troubles with Tigres are due, in my humble opinion, to coach Mario Carrillo's defensive tactics and his goal of staying in the first division. Garcia is a loose cannon and Carrillo is rather not so the two don't mix well.

Palencia also improved in MLS. He is as fit now as he has been at any time over the last six years or so. He's an excellent teammate and only cares about winning. He doesn't care if he scores. He doesn't care if he even plays. As long as the team wins, then Paco is happy.