I spent quite a bit of time last night, searching the web for relevant information on Cuauhtemoc Blanco. I fell asleep mid-story and woke up early this morning to finish it, early as in before 5.
So read it!
It's a bit of a tribute to Cuauhtemoc Blanco for SI.com.
The best part of the story I think is the links to various video clips. I was actually able to find quite a bit of them - the goal against Brazil in the 99 Confederations Cup, the goals against Jamaica in a 2001 qualifier, the goal against Honduras in a 2001 qualifier, goals against Belgium and Croatia in the World Cup. Lots of moments that Blanco fans surely remember.
Blanco will always be Public Enemy No. 1 to many American soccer fans, though Oswaldo Sanchez and Rafael Marquez probably rank right up there with Mexican players American soccer fans love to hate. But a portion of American soccer fans are witnessing first hand just how talented and special a player Blanco is and can be. And some of them - notably Fire fans, are probably thrilled he called it quits. More games for the Fire and less for El Tri is a good thing.
Showing posts with label Blanco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blanco. Show all posts
Friday, September 12, 2008
Polemica = Controversy
It couldn't really be a Blanco situation without a little drama, could it?
Anyway, here's some of the back-and-forth swirling around about 'Temo. I don't have time to translate it right now, so can our readers jump in and explain the big issue? Or perhaps everyone has watched enough Galavision and Telefutura games to figure out the Spanish. Good luck!
Anyway, here's some of the back-and-forth swirling around about 'Temo. I don't have time to translate it right now, so can our readers jump in and explain the big issue? Or perhaps everyone has watched enough Galavision and Telefutura games to figure out the Spanish. Good luck!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Blanco bids farewell
The U.S. beating TnT was basically expected, so the big news to come out of the latest round of qualifying games was by far Cuauhtemoc Blanco's retirement announcement.
He'll close things out at Azteca, but it looks like that's going to be it for seeing the bunny hop performed by the man himself during international play.
I have to say, since he'd been playing well lately, I didn't expect that move. Yet there's something to be said for going out when they'll still miss you rather than ignoring any expiration date and sticking around to get really stinky instead.
He'll close things out at Azteca, but it looks like that's going to be it for seeing the bunny hop performed by the man himself during international play.
I have to say, since he'd been playing well lately, I didn't expect that move. Yet there's something to be said for going out when they'll still miss you rather than ignoring any expiration date and sticking around to get really stinky instead.
Friday, August 22, 2008
McTough
Eddie Lewis was passing through the Galaxy locker room, his head stitched up from where he'd sustained a cut in the match versus Guatemala. Back in the pressbox, one of the reporters brought up Eddie's age and wondered about his durability in the rough and tumble world of MLS. I pointed out that Brian McBride was older.
"Yes, but he's McBride!" someone responded in exasperation, as if that explained everything.
Actually, I did bring up the age of both McBride and Cuauhtemoc Blanco to their coach, Denis Hamlett. I was trying to ask if it was a concern or affected team strategy in any way. Hamlett cut off my query halfway through.
"Did you see the Mexico game?" he asked impatiently. "Did you see what happened when Cuauhtemoc got into the game? He lifted his team. That's what a player like him can do."
Hamlett went on to explain that McBride was a similar sort, in his ability to make a difference and compete hard for his team.
"Yes, but he's McBride!" someone responded in exasperation, as if that explained everything.
Actually, I did bring up the age of both McBride and Cuauhtemoc Blanco to their coach, Denis Hamlett. I was trying to ask if it was a concern or affected team strategy in any way. Hamlett cut off my query halfway through.
"Did you see the Mexico game?" he asked impatiently. "Did you see what happened when Cuauhtemoc got into the game? He lifted his team. That's what a player like him can do."
Hamlett went on to explain that McBride was a similar sort, in his ability to make a difference and compete hard for his team.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Better chance of playing - Cuau or LD?
They both played Wednesday, both a manageable distance away and both will be at Home Depot Center tonight.
But who stands a better chance of playing - Chicago's Cuauhtemoc Blanco or the Galaxy's Landon Donovan?
We know David Beckham won't be there. He's off in China for the Olympics closing ceremony.
Blanco played the final 20 minutes for Mexico. Donovan played the entire game in Guatemala.
The Galaxy need Donovan more than the Fire needs Blanco, considering who else will and won't play (Brian McBride debuted on the weekend for Chicago). Eddie Lewis took a nasty knock on Wednesday as well and he may not play because of it.
But does that mean new coach Bruce Arena will be desperate and throw Donovan into the fray from the start? Or will he save him as a second-half substitute? Or does he not even dress?
Conversely, does Blanco not start because of his game action and travel to LA? Does Chicago not risk Blanco? Does he start? Play the final 45 minute? Not play at all?
If I'm a betting man, I take Blanco to start and come out during the second half if Chicago has the lead and I take Landon to play the final 20-30 minutes in Bruce Arena's debut. But I've been wrong before. Like for instance this morning I made some coffee and I thought it was going to taste like crap but it came out pretty good. So that's one strike against me already...
But who stands a better chance of playing - Chicago's Cuauhtemoc Blanco or the Galaxy's Landon Donovan?
We know David Beckham won't be there. He's off in China for the Olympics closing ceremony.
Blanco played the final 20 minutes for Mexico. Donovan played the entire game in Guatemala.
The Galaxy need Donovan more than the Fire needs Blanco, considering who else will and won't play (Brian McBride debuted on the weekend for Chicago). Eddie Lewis took a nasty knock on Wednesday as well and he may not play because of it.
But does that mean new coach Bruce Arena will be desperate and throw Donovan into the fray from the start? Or will he save him as a second-half substitute? Or does he not even dress?
Conversely, does Blanco not start because of his game action and travel to LA? Does Chicago not risk Blanco? Does he start? Play the final 45 minute? Not play at all?
If I'm a betting man, I take Blanco to start and come out during the second half if Chicago has the lead and I take Landon to play the final 20-30 minutes in Bruce Arena's debut. But I've been wrong before. Like for instance this morning I made some coffee and I thought it was going to taste like crap but it came out pretty good. So that's one strike against me already...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Blanco ruling - Way weak
I don't mean weak in the aspect of the discipline handed down. Two years is a pretty solid sentence. But U.S. Soccer wimped out.
I'll highlight the part that is especially crucial: "The suspension is due to his actions during the U.S. Open Cup match between the Chicago Fire and D.C. United on July 8, 2008."
It's pretty much impossible to tell if the punishment fit the crime when the description of what Blanco did to merit the censure is never given.
Why not name exactly what Blanco's trangressions were?
One of the things I believe MLS does right is when releasing discipline information, like adding game suspensions to red cards and so forth, is to include video of the incidents so everyone is absolutely clear what it is that was cited.
Even if the powers that be decided not to release video that DC United reportedly provided to the federation featuring Blanco, the USSF should have at least cleared up the competing stories out in the public. The Fire organization clearly said one thing, while DC United had their own version.
I suspected the truth was somewhere in the middle, but now U.S. Soccer has basically said, "You can't handle the truth" and "We're not even going to tell what really happened."
Weak.
Spineless.
Also, a bad precedent has been set. Frankly, one reason MLS goes into so much detail in its discipline procedures is to have them act as a deterrent. No one can say, "I didn't know that kicking my hated rival would have such drastic consequences," after Rico Clark's massive suspension. People know exactly what will lead to what.
I mean, did Blanco do anything significantly worse than some of Atlante's players last night? If so, U.S. Soccer should be up front and honest about it. No more pussyfooting around and hiding the facts, giving us a sentence without all the reasons for the conviction.
I'll highlight the part that is especially crucial: "The suspension is due to his actions during the U.S. Open Cup match between the Chicago Fire and D.C. United on July 8, 2008."
It's pretty much impossible to tell if the punishment fit the crime when the description of what Blanco did to merit the censure is never given.
Why not name exactly what Blanco's trangressions were?
One of the things I believe MLS does right is when releasing discipline information, like adding game suspensions to red cards and so forth, is to include video of the incidents so everyone is absolutely clear what it is that was cited.
Even if the powers that be decided not to release video that DC United reportedly provided to the federation featuring Blanco, the USSF should have at least cleared up the competing stories out in the public. The Fire organization clearly said one thing, while DC United had their own version.
I suspected the truth was somewhere in the middle, but now U.S. Soccer has basically said, "You can't handle the truth" and "We're not even going to tell what really happened."
Weak.
Spineless.
Also, a bad precedent has been set. Frankly, one reason MLS goes into so much detail in its discipline procedures is to have them act as a deterrent. No one can say, "I didn't know that kicking my hated rival would have such drastic consequences," after Rico Clark's massive suspension. People know exactly what will lead to what.
I mean, did Blanco do anything significantly worse than some of Atlante's players last night? If so, U.S. Soccer should be up front and honest about it. No more pussyfooting around and hiding the facts, giving us a sentence without all the reasons for the conviction.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Blanco bit
So I talked to a U.S. Soccer honcho about Cuauhtemoc Blanco's outburst at the U.S. Open Cup.
I wanted to know why there hadn't been any news about disciplinary measures yet. Turns out, the committee to deal with the matter hasn't even met yet. They'll decide the case in August, apparently. There's no rush to act, I was told, since the Fire is out of the Cup and any censure would only affect next year's tournament.
So it has yet to be decided, but it was clarified that U.S. Soccer would keep to their jurisdiction. In other words, anything they decide won't affect Blanco in MLS, unless MLS decides to act on its own. It doesn't make sense that they would.
I wanted to know why there hadn't been any news about disciplinary measures yet. Turns out, the committee to deal with the matter hasn't even met yet. They'll decide the case in August, apparently. There's no rush to act, I was told, since the Fire is out of the Cup and any censure would only affect next year's tournament.
So it has yet to be decided, but it was clarified that U.S. Soccer would keep to their jurisdiction. In other words, anything they decide won't affect Blanco in MLS, unless MLS decides to act on its own. It doesn't make sense that they would.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Outsider's angle
Of course I didn't see the Blanco/DC Open Cup incident. I was here in California, and the match wasn't televised. I also wasn't enterprising enough to look for an Internet stream, if there was one. So when Brad Feldman brought the topic up, I had only contextual points to make.
1. Blanco arrived in the league with a reputation of not only skill, but a tempestuous personality.
2. Blanco has been well-behaved when Chicago is winning.
3. Chicago isn't winning, and there have been reports of Blanco losing his temper with his own teammates.
Points 1,2, and 3 added up to me being less than surprised that Blanco might have blown up on the field. Still, I pointed out, players on both sides had been red-carded, so the ref at least had cast equal blame. Basically, I didn't think a bigger deal should be made out of something just because a star player was involved. I mean, is anyone going on about Chris Wingert's red card? Besides Jason Kreis, that is.
When Brad mentioned that Blanco had reportedly headbutted a DC United employee, I had to laugh.
In my mind, I was picturing an Alex Zotinca-quality head butt.
Or the gold standard, of course, Zidane's. (though Zotinca's might have been more painful, since it was to the face, Zidane's had more force).
Obviously, if Blanco had done a headbutt anything like that, there wouldn't be any question as to whether or not such a thing had taken place. It would be very clear, so I figured it was somewhat less than a genuine headbutt.
I also pointed out to Brad that it wasn't unheard of for team employees to get passionate about matches and trigger incidents. For example, in an earlier Super Clasico, Chivas USA's massage therapist, Humberto Macias, lost it over an offsides call, arguing so vigorously that the fourth official conferred with the ref and had him removed from the sideline.
Now I'm not saying any employee deserves to be treated badly by any player, but it's possible that the DC staffer was less than completely professional in his actions before the alleged headbutt.
At that point, both Brad and I laughed at ourselves a little, because we were both speculating over stuff rather randomly. We agreed that more info would probably be revealed before long.
DC reportedly has a video that they've sent to MLS and the USSF, which is the actual entity in charge of the Open Cup. So the official version will come out soon. In the past, MLS has released little video clips to illustrate incidents where the league has added on to suspensions or taken other disciplinary action.
1. Blanco arrived in the league with a reputation of not only skill, but a tempestuous personality.
2. Blanco has been well-behaved when Chicago is winning.
3. Chicago isn't winning, and there have been reports of Blanco losing his temper with his own teammates.
Points 1,2, and 3 added up to me being less than surprised that Blanco might have blown up on the field. Still, I pointed out, players on both sides had been red-carded, so the ref at least had cast equal blame. Basically, I didn't think a bigger deal should be made out of something just because a star player was involved. I mean, is anyone going on about Chris Wingert's red card? Besides Jason Kreis, that is.
When Brad mentioned that Blanco had reportedly headbutted a DC United employee, I had to laugh.
In my mind, I was picturing an Alex Zotinca-quality head butt.
Or the gold standard, of course, Zidane's. (though Zotinca's might have been more painful, since it was to the face, Zidane's had more force).
Obviously, if Blanco had done a headbutt anything like that, there wouldn't be any question as to whether or not such a thing had taken place. It would be very clear, so I figured it was somewhat less than a genuine headbutt.
I also pointed out to Brad that it wasn't unheard of for team employees to get passionate about matches and trigger incidents. For example, in an earlier Super Clasico, Chivas USA's massage therapist, Humberto Macias, lost it over an offsides call, arguing so vigorously that the fourth official conferred with the ref and had him removed from the sideline.
Now I'm not saying any employee deserves to be treated badly by any player, but it's possible that the DC staffer was less than completely professional in his actions before the alleged headbutt.
At that point, both Brad and I laughed at ourselves a little, because we were both speculating over stuff rather randomly. We agreed that more info would probably be revealed before long.
DC reportedly has a video that they've sent to MLS and the USSF, which is the actual entity in charge of the Open Cup. So the official version will come out soon. In the past, MLS has released little video clips to illustrate incidents where the league has added on to suspensions or taken other disciplinary action.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
What he said . . .
The English version = My Wish.
Blanco's not trying to simply win over MLS fans. He's a sport with his fans nearly all the time, signing stuff, posing for pictures. Even when he won't talk to the media, he'll do that.
Blanco's not trying to simply win over MLS fans. He's a sport with his fans nearly all the time, signing stuff, posing for pictures. Even when he won't talk to the media, he'll do that.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Benevolent Blanco
Making a cancer kid's dream come true. Kudos to the Fire, Houston Dynamo and especially Cuauh himself.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Blanco and the beggar
"The story of the blind man" has as the main punchline Blanco changing his sign from "I'm blind, have compassion" to "They offered me work as a ref, but I prefer to be an honest beggar." A former MLS player makes a cameo - who can name him?
Friday, June 20, 2008
Blanco business
Temoc needs a presser. Seriously - in Los Angeles, Blanco is at least as big a draw as Beckham, if not bigger, so there really needed to be a better way for the reporters crowding into the visitors locker room to get quotes.
Translation is difficult in that situation. In a press conference, it's more organized, and there can be a more equal distribution of questions as well, rather than only the pushy reporters (we're not all like that) getting to have a say.
Finally, Blanco has a low, soft voice that could really use a microphone. Unless one shoved around to be standing right in front of him, nothing came through on a recording. Last year, the same thing happened and it really should be less of a frustrating mess for everyone involved.
Beckham has a presser after every match in which he plays, win or lose, because there is such demand for him. I'd say Blanco requires the same - the biggest Spanish-speaking star in the league deserves no less (and the media covering him could use the help).
Translation is difficult in that situation. In a press conference, it's more organized, and there can be a more equal distribution of questions as well, rather than only the pushy reporters (we're not all like that) getting to have a say.
Finally, Blanco has a low, soft voice that could really use a microphone. Unless one shoved around to be standing right in front of him, nothing came through on a recording. Last year, the same thing happened and it really should be less of a frustrating mess for everyone involved.
Beckham has a presser after every match in which he plays, win or lose, because there is such demand for him. I'd say Blanco requires the same - the biggest Spanish-speaking star in the league deserves no less (and the media covering him could use the help).
Friday, May 30, 2008
Cover boy Cuauh
The latest issue of Futbol Mundial includes a season overview and a feature on Chicago's main man.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
DP Thursday
Two Designated Players will be in action on Thursday night. In the first DP game, Cuauhtemoc Blanco's Chicago Fire will host DP-less New England while David Beckham's Galaxy will host also DP-less San Jose in the second match. Beckham is also joined by off-the-books DP Landon Donovan, so call it a triumvirate of DPs if you will.
Anyway, regarding the two highest-profile DPs, SI.com's Mark Bechtel talks about the two in this story. His conclusion about Blanco being the better of the DP is one I share.
Anyway, regarding the two highest-profile DPs, SI.com's Mark Bechtel talks about the two in this story. His conclusion about Blanco being the better of the DP is one I share.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Road goal
The only team to score a road goal on the opening weekend in MLS - barring some last-minute heroics for Chivas USA - was the Chicago Fire. Cuauhtemoc Blanco buried a stoppage-time equalizer as the Fire escaped Salt Lake with a point in a 1-1 draw.
Afterward, RSL coach Kreis admitted that Blanco made a special play, but also took a swipe at the Fire's best player.
It was about one special player who made one special play and didn't do really anything else the entire game - except run around and whine.
ADD: Papi scored! Chivas USA pulled out a 1-1 tie as Maykel Galindo scored in the 84th minute at FC Dallas. That makes two road goals in the five games played this weekend.
Afterward, RSL coach Kreis admitted that Blanco made a special play, but also took a swipe at the Fire's best player.
It was about one special player who made one special play and didn't do really anything else the entire game - except run around and whine.
ADD: Papi scored! Chivas USA pulled out a 1-1 tie as Maykel Galindo scored in the 84th minute at FC Dallas. That makes two road goals in the five games played this weekend.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Becks and Cuauh
Funny - even though this is a bit old. Becks and Temoc are hanging out, with Blanco controlling the remote.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Soccer Player of the Year
I can't argue with the Daily Breeze picking David Beckham as their LA Sports Person of the Year. I remember reading an article in 2005 by the writer of this piece, Kevin Modesti, where he bemoaned the city's lack of titles recently, even though the Galaxy had just won their second MLS championship. He didn't mention the team probably because he never even thought of them. I never saw him in the pressbox at the Home Depot Center until Beckham came along. So Becks has had a major impact in things like that.
I'm partial, however, to what is actually accomplished on the field, in addition to the off-field impact. I think I'd put Cuauhtemoc Blanco as king of the hill for 2007. He played well for three teams, Mexico's national squad, Club America for half the year, and the Chicago Fire for the final part of the MLS season. In my latest article, I cover some of the ways his arrival had an impact.
Beckham couldn't manage to do that because of his injuries.
Who else but Cuauh could generate production of the combo ClubAmerica/Fire jersey? Who else could get little Mexican soccer shops all over the U.S. to stock an MLS jersey? Beckham's isn't in half the ones I stop by, but Blanco's always is. A whole different set of people talked to me about MLS after Blanco signed than when Beckham signed. Most importantly, because Blanco played, they watched games, they came to games, and they started talking about the teams and the players themselves (even if it was to bemoan Chad Barrett's finishing -although, I remember one guy saying with a wink to his Central American friend, "Barrett al menos sera mejor que 'Chope") That's the sort of change in behavior that could never take place when people were dismissing MLS out of hand. Blanco triggered that.
I was still a bit skeptical of how real it was until I saw it first hand. For all their laidback reputation, LA sports crowds are fairly loyal - I've never seen a stadium erupt like the HDC did when Blanco scored for the Fire against Chivas USA.
I'm partial, however, to what is actually accomplished on the field, in addition to the off-field impact. I think I'd put Cuauhtemoc Blanco as king of the hill for 2007. He played well for three teams, Mexico's national squad, Club America for half the year, and the Chicago Fire for the final part of the MLS season. In my latest article, I cover some of the ways his arrival had an impact.
Beckham couldn't manage to do that because of his injuries.
Who else but Cuauh could generate production of the combo ClubAmerica/Fire jersey? Who else could get little Mexican soccer shops all over the U.S. to stock an MLS jersey? Beckham's isn't in half the ones I stop by, but Blanco's always is. A whole different set of people talked to me about MLS after Blanco signed than when Beckham signed. Most importantly, because Blanco played, they watched games, they came to games, and they started talking about the teams and the players themselves (even if it was to bemoan Chad Barrett's finishing -although, I remember one guy saying with a wink to his Central American friend, "Barrett al menos sera mejor que 'Chope") That's the sort of change in behavior that could never take place when people were dismissing MLS out of hand. Blanco triggered that.
I was still a bit skeptical of how real it was until I saw it first hand. For all their laidback reputation, LA sports crowds are fairly loyal - I've never seen a stadium erupt like the HDC did when Blanco scored for the Fire against Chivas USA.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
United in the hole
The 2007 MLS season will end tonight for one force: either D.C. United or Cuauhtemoc Blanco will be sent packing.
After last week's 1-0 win by Chicago over D.C., Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports wrote a brilliant column on Blanco. If you missed it, you should read it. He pretty much sums up how Blanco's teammates feel about him, how his opponents feel about him and how neutral fans feel about him.
It's a good primer for tonight's match, which incidentally I think will... well, maybe I should stop kissing teams to death. But I guess since I picked D.C. to win it all...
After last week's 1-0 win by Chicago over D.C., Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports wrote a brilliant column on Blanco. If you missed it, you should read it. He pretty much sums up how Blanco's teammates feel about him, how his opponents feel about him and how neutral fans feel about him.
It's a good primer for tonight's match, which incidentally I think will... well, maybe I should stop kissing teams to death. But I guess since I picked D.C. to win it all...
Friday, October 26, 2007
White rage
When Cuauhtemoc Blanco visited Chivas USA, he was knocked down inside the penalty area in stoppage time by Alex Zotinca. No foul was called and the game ended 1-1. After the game, Blanco was asked about the play and the officiating in general. He put his index finger to his mouth and said he doesn't comment on officiating, that we saw the play and we can comment on it. It was a typical response from him as he doesn't often talk about the referees after the match.
After Thursday's 1-0 win over DC United, Blanco finally talked about the officiating as Luis Arroyave reports.
After Thursday's 1-0 win over DC United, Blanco finally talked about the officiating as Luis Arroyave reports.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
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