Thursday, March 8, 2007

Sizzling Rebano

My SI editor Jonah Freedman came out with his weekly world rankings. He didn't mention Chivas but if they get a pair of wins over the next six days, I can't see them not cracking the top 10.

If Chivas beats Pumas this week, it'll be four straight wins for el Rebano Sagrado. Then, they play at DC in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match.

Chivas is playing its best soccer right now, better than I've seen them play since... last year when they won their first Mexican league title since 1997. Yes, they did lose to W Connection and although that is a blight on their calendar, they did win the series by a 4-2 aggregate.

But Jonah's pretty good about scanning the globe and recognizing clubs from outside Europe. He's got Sao Paulo at 9 and mentions Santos and River Plate. Usually top-10-best-in-the-world lists don't mention Western Hemisphere clubs.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

you are kidding right? chivas in the world top 10? stop bogarding and pass what you are smoking.

L.B. said...

2006 Copa Libertadores semifinalists

2006 Mexico Apertura champions

most points in 2007 Mexico Clausura

have lost two games (out of 19) since nov. 4

gee, how could i ever think that's quality?

Anonymous said...

i am not a chivas supporter, but i don't doubt their quality, i just doubt them being in the world top 10. being a bride's maid in 06 copa libertadores does not make them a top 10 team, winning it would have. as a league FMF isn't much better than MLS, so in my mind winning 17 out of 19 isn't saying all that much. but then again, that is just my opinion

DMH

L.B. said...

I don't know. There's a lot of quality soccer being played in Mexico. It's a highly competitive league. Say what you will about the national team but the Mexican league is one of the best leagues in all the Western Hemisphere.