Sometimes I have too many topics to write about when preparing my Tuesday PE column. That was the case over the weekend when thinking about what to write. There was the Brad Guzan saga, Pachuca was in town, SuperLiga, the Galaxy is always a topic...
But ultimately I settled on splitting the column between Brad Guzan and Pachuca.
I had wanted to get some of reaction from Guzan about leaving Chivas USA in the middle of the season. Yeah, his thoughts on Aston Villa are good but what matters more at this point to me are his thoughts on departing the only club he's played for.
However, I didn't want to dedicate the whole column to him, though I easily could have. After all, it's not too often Pachuca comes to play at Home Depot Center. I wanted to see what they thought about SuperLiga and MLS clubs in general. Their reaction was pretty positive towards the league.
Showing posts with label Pachuca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pachuca. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Stories aplenty
Just a small sampling of what was written about Sunday's Pachuca-Chivas USA match.
And not all of them were written by yours truly.
Here's my Press-Enterprise story, the second one I filed. The first one looked nearly the same but I took out a few things and put in some of the quotes I gathered.
I wrote this story for MLSnet.com. It's a post-game story from Chivas USA's point-of-view.
Here's another story I wrote, this one from Pachuca's point-of-view.
Here's Phil Collin of the Daily Breeze and his post-game take.
And Phil's colleague Nick Green has more on his 100 Percent Soccer blog.
And not all of them were written by yours truly.
Here's my Press-Enterprise story, the second one I filed. The first one looked nearly the same but I took out a few things and put in some of the quotes I gathered.
I wrote this story for MLSnet.com. It's a post-game story from Chivas USA's point-of-view.
Here's another story I wrote, this one from Pachuca's point-of-view.
Here's Phil Collin of the Daily Breeze and his post-game take.
And Phil's colleague Nick Green has more on his 100 Percent Soccer blog.
Pachuca's new goal scorer
Bruno Marioni scored his first official goal for Pachuca in Sunday's 2-1 win over Chivas USA.
We think.
At first, the goal looked like it went off of Claudio Suarez. But Marioni celebrated it as his own and it went into the books as his goal. It wasn't until afterward, when I was listening to the little snippet of Sacha Kljestan that I recorded, that I heard him say it was an own goal.
Anyway, here is Bruno Marioni, a man of few words.
Always a gentleman
Gabriel Caballero was the most talkative of the Pachuca lot on Sunday, at least of the players who stopped by to chat with the media.
Miguel Calero walked by and several different reporters - all from Spanish-language outlets - asked Calero if he'd answer questions. Calero pointed at them, nodded his head and kept right on walking. Some of the reporters looked at each other with puzzled looks. If I had needed to talk to him, I'd have been upset. As it stood, I was waiting for Paco Torres so it would have only interfered with that interview, which was much more important.
Anyway, here is what Gabriel Caballero said (in Spanish, of course).
Meza mulls Mexicans' might
Okay, that was a stretch. But I've put up Enrique Meza's post-game press conference as well and there is a theme here at least with the previous post.
And actually, there was a theme for Pachuca after the match as well.
With regards to the theme of the night for Pachuca, both Meza and Gabriel Caballero said that they were not sure if they deserved the victory. Not sure if they were just saying that because that's their usual mentality - so as to not get overconfident - or if they really felt that way. Looked to me like they deserved the full three points.
Anyway, here is the presser. It's in Spanish but there was a translator for those who needed it. She was a popular girl as maybe seven or so writers sat in close proximity to her. She translated the words pretty much right after Meza said them, so if you hear something in the background, that's it.
And actually, there was a theme for Pachuca after the match as well.
With regards to the theme of the night for Pachuca, both Meza and Gabriel Caballero said that they were not sure if they deserved the victory. Not sure if they were just saying that because that's their usual mentality - so as to not get overconfident - or if they really felt that way. Looked to me like they deserved the full three points.
Anyway, here is the presser. It's in Spanish but there was a translator for those who needed it. She was a popular girl as maybe seven or so writers sat in close proximity to her. She translated the words pretty much right after Meza said them, so if you hear something in the background, that's it.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Jose Francisco Torres in his own words
Sunday was a bit of a madhouse down in the mixed zone. There is no locker room access but rather players walk past you and you ask them to stop. Most do, some don't. In the midst of talking to Chivas USA players, I got the chance to talk to Jose Francisco Torres, the Texas native who plays for Pachuca.
I didn't think I'd get the chance to talk to him very much because there were other players to talk to as well but it worked out well in the end.
You can listen to the entire audio of the interview right here. It's not exactly an exclusive as about five other reporters jumped in on the interview so you may see these quotes elsewhere. It'll probably happen as we typically get pilfered for our content. So I figured I'd put the audio up for our trusty and loyal readers before the leeches outside of this market freely grab our stuff and pass it off as their own.
But, I digress.
The skinny on Torres: he said he turned down the Olympics because he and his coaches at Pachuca felt it was best for him to focus on his club team at the present time. He did not shut the door on the US entirely though but also said he felt he owed Mexico a favor because he developed down there.
There is more, quite a bit more, in the interview.
ADD: And with regards to the pilfering, I don't mean the guys who were right around me. They were well within their rights to jump in on the interview and then use the stuff as their own. I don't have any issues with that. It's the people who weren't anywhere near HDC who use the stuff that is bothersome. But whatever. We provide it to you, trusty reader, and getting things to you is what matters most.
I didn't think I'd get the chance to talk to him very much because there were other players to talk to as well but it worked out well in the end.
You can listen to the entire audio of the interview right here. It's not exactly an exclusive as about five other reporters jumped in on the interview so you may see these quotes elsewhere. It'll probably happen as we typically get pilfered for our content. So I figured I'd put the audio up for our trusty and loyal readers before the leeches outside of this market freely grab our stuff and pass it off as their own.
But, I digress.
The skinny on Torres: he said he turned down the Olympics because he and his coaches at Pachuca felt it was best for him to focus on his club team at the present time. He did not shut the door on the US entirely though but also said he felt he owed Mexico a favor because he developed down there.
There is more, quite a bit more, in the interview.
ADD: And with regards to the pilfering, I don't mean the guys who were right around me. They were well within their rights to jump in on the interview and then use the stuff as their own. I don't have any issues with that. It's the people who weren't anywhere near HDC who use the stuff that is bothersome. But whatever. We provide it to you, trusty reader, and getting things to you is what matters most.
Chivas USA - Pachuca running blog
Andrea is absent from tonight's match so I'll try and hold the fort down in her absence.
Pachuca won SuperLiga right here in this building a year ago, topping the LA Galaxy in PKs. But, los Tuzos also lost a game right here to the same Galaxy squad, dropping a 2-1 result in the tournament opener.
For Chivas USA, the match is a historic one. It's their first-ever game in international competition.
Lineups:
Chivas USA: Lance Parker; Carey Talley, Claudio Suarez, Bobby Burling, Jonathan Bornstein; Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza; Ante Razov, Atiba Harrs.
Pachuca: Miguel Calero; Leobardo Lopez, Julio Manzur, Gerardo Rodriguez; Fausto Pinto, Gabriel Caballero, Jaime Correa, Paul Aguilar; Damian Alvarez, Bruno Marioni, Christian Gimenez.
3 - Bornstein breaks into the penalty area, feeds Kljestan but no Karate Kid celebration as his shot rattles off the crossbar.
5 - Ante makes a run inside the box but loses the ball. Chivas have come out with an enormous amount of energy and are using all but two of the same starters from Thursday's game. Wonder how long the legs will hold up.
6 - Bornstein's centering pass skips across the area, just out of Atiba's reach. Atiba had an opening.
6 - Burling shows no fear as he muscles Bruno Marioni away from a ball. Before the season started, I never would have guessed that Bobby Burling would have been a SuperLiga starter.
8 - Penalty! Handball on Fausto Pinto. Chivas captain Suarez takes it... and... MISS!!!
9 - As Andrea pointed out, players who are normally rock-solid in MLS on PKs have been downright atrocious from the spot in SuperLiga. Suarez guessed right but nailed it off the left post. I don't remember another PK miss by Suarez in MLS. Don't think that's happened. yet.
14 - Pachuca's controlled the ball a little more now as it seems los Tuzos are settling into a rhythm. I imagine this also gives Lance Parker a chance to settle down and get over his nerves, which I'm sure he's feeling quite a bit right now.
16 - Burling again wins a tussle with Marioni as the Argentine is whislted for a foul.
16 - GOAL! Ante Razov finally breaks through! He also hits the crossbar but his ball bounces down and into the back of the net. Chivas 1-0. The play started on the right side as Carey Talley slipped a ball down the right flank to Atiba Harris. Harris collected the ball and tried to find Razov in front of the net. Leo Lopez, though, tried to clear the ball but it went right to Sacha Kljestan, who tried Ante again and found him right in front of the goal. Ante doesn't miss much from there.
19 - Chivas again putting the pressure on Pachuca but the ball goes into touch. Guess it's fitting that Ante gets Chivas' first international goal. He also accounted for their first playoff goal but not their first-ever goal. That would be Thiago Martins.
23 - GOAL! Pachuca! And just like that, it's even. Panchito Mendoza was called for a foul deep in Chivas' third. Marioni knocked in the free kick as he got past Suarez and deflected the pass into the back of the net. Some up here in the pressbox questioned the foul, though, as it appeared Mendoza got all ball on his tackle.
25 - Now it's Pachuca attacking furiously. Damian Alvarez races into the area and forces a corner kick, that Lance Parker punches out to Pinto, who squres a ball to Correa. Correa shot on goal but Parker dives and makes the save.
30 - Leo Lopez was injured and tended to and returned with a white bandage on his head. Gabriel Caballero and Bruno Marioni are wearing headbands but Bruno's is black. Still, it's not too hard to distinguish Lopez from Caballero - Lopez looks kinda like Calen Carr, though he's not as skinny.
32 - Paulino rips a shot from long distance, rebound falls to Kljestan but he can't control it.
33 - Razov fouled some 22 yards out. He and Sacha stand over the ball.
34 - Ante takes it but it goes well wide of the goal.
35 - Panchito does well to get around some Tuzo defenders but his cross is abysmal. Too far for Ante, not far enough for Atiba.
37 - Marioni is offside as he races after ball in area. On play, though, Lance Parker was aggressive in charging off line and challenging for ball.
38 - Suarez with a foul for another Pachuca free kick. Chivas giving away too many set pieces early on.
39 - A close shot by Manzur as he knocks cross toward goal but the ball lands on top of net.
42 - GOAL! Caballero! Pachuca leads 2-1. Cross came from left side as Rodriguez. Caballero had space and flicked the header into the back of the net. Parker had no chance. Not sure if Guzan would have made that save.
44 - That could be a backbreaking goal for Chivas. The first half was pretty even but Chivas had quite a bit of energy and to still go into the locker room at halftime losing - especially with two shots of the woodwork - could be demoralizing. Plus, Pachuca probably has the advantage in terms of fitness.
45 - Two minutes of stoppage time. Pachuca knocking the ball around as the "Ole!" chants grow louder.
HALFTIME - The first half was played a frenetic pace. With little on his bench, Preki has to hope his players have 45 more minutes in them. Only real option off bench is Jorge Flores... Anthony Hamilton might be useful, but hasn't looked good in recent games. Justin Braun is not in uniform.
50 - Razov nearly equalizes but Calero makes a diving save as Razov nearly heads a shot into the back of the net. Calero dived and knocked the ball away with a quick reaction save.
55 - Chivas' legs dont look quite dead yet. Panchito and Bornstein look particularly active. Harris too.
57 - Razov does well to create space but his shot goes well over the crossbar.
60 - Marioni tests Parker from close range. Rodriguez (who else?) swings a cross into the box and Marioni beats Burling to the ball. His shot, though, goes right to Parker who does well to make the reaction save.
61 - Chivas subs: Daniel Paladini and Jim Curtin in, Jesse Marsch and Bobby Burling out. Looks like Preki set an hour limit on those two.
69 - Chivas sub: Anthony Hamilton in for Ante Razov. It'll be tough for Chivas to come back without Razov. Pachuca makes pair of moves as marioni and Caballero are out for Francisco Torres and Christian Correa.
75 - Another attack goes nowhere. Preki is probably wishing Alecko Eskandarian, Maykel Galindo, Raphael Wicky, Lawson Vaughn and Justin Braun were all healthy. But they're not, so we get Hamilton and Paladini.
80 - Panchito wins a corner, Pachuca makes their last sub. Juan Carlos Rojas in, Chaco Gimenez out.
81 - Corner kick goes nowheere as Calero skies for it and punches it away.
85 - Okay, the clubs get four subs apparently. Kraig Chiles replaced Carey Talley and now Luis Montes has replaced Damian Alvarez.
86 - Parker with another save, stopping Correa from close range.
88 - Okay, I've got all three of my match reports written. A late Chivas goal here would set me back quite a bit. A Pachuca goal would only force me to re-work my respective ledes. Come on Tuzos... I kid... sort of...
90 - A pair of late yellows, one on Curtin and one on Paladini.
90+ - Four minutes of stoppage time. Too much time, as my night could still get ruined. Pachuca nearly scores but Rodriguez turned away by Parker. Now a near fatality in th emiddle of the field. Okay, not so much, but the Tuzo player will milk this for as much as he can. Looks like five people are off the sidelines to tend to him, and carry him off on a stretcher. Okay, he only milked about 30 seconds off clock. Hopefully he lives.
90+ - Pachuca with the ball for majority of time now. Late counter now, Rodriguez looks for Correa but he fans on it.
90+ - Chivas counters now but bad pass ruins it.
FULL TIME
Pachuca 2, Chivas USA 1. Thanks for following along.
Pachuca won SuperLiga right here in this building a year ago, topping the LA Galaxy in PKs. But, los Tuzos also lost a game right here to the same Galaxy squad, dropping a 2-1 result in the tournament opener.
For Chivas USA, the match is a historic one. It's their first-ever game in international competition.
Lineups:
Chivas USA: Lance Parker; Carey Talley, Claudio Suarez, Bobby Burling, Jonathan Bornstein; Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza; Ante Razov, Atiba Harrs.
Pachuca: Miguel Calero; Leobardo Lopez, Julio Manzur, Gerardo Rodriguez; Fausto Pinto, Gabriel Caballero, Jaime Correa, Paul Aguilar; Damian Alvarez, Bruno Marioni, Christian Gimenez.
3 - Bornstein breaks into the penalty area, feeds Kljestan but no Karate Kid celebration as his shot rattles off the crossbar.
5 - Ante makes a run inside the box but loses the ball. Chivas have come out with an enormous amount of energy and are using all but two of the same starters from Thursday's game. Wonder how long the legs will hold up.
6 - Bornstein's centering pass skips across the area, just out of Atiba's reach. Atiba had an opening.
6 - Burling shows no fear as he muscles Bruno Marioni away from a ball. Before the season started, I never would have guessed that Bobby Burling would have been a SuperLiga starter.
8 - Penalty! Handball on Fausto Pinto. Chivas captain Suarez takes it... and... MISS!!!
9 - As Andrea pointed out, players who are normally rock-solid in MLS on PKs have been downright atrocious from the spot in SuperLiga. Suarez guessed right but nailed it off the left post. I don't remember another PK miss by Suarez in MLS. Don't think that's happened. yet.
14 - Pachuca's controlled the ball a little more now as it seems los Tuzos are settling into a rhythm. I imagine this also gives Lance Parker a chance to settle down and get over his nerves, which I'm sure he's feeling quite a bit right now.
16 - Burling again wins a tussle with Marioni as the Argentine is whislted for a foul.
16 - GOAL! Ante Razov finally breaks through! He also hits the crossbar but his ball bounces down and into the back of the net. Chivas 1-0. The play started on the right side as Carey Talley slipped a ball down the right flank to Atiba Harris. Harris collected the ball and tried to find Razov in front of the net. Leo Lopez, though, tried to clear the ball but it went right to Sacha Kljestan, who tried Ante again and found him right in front of the goal. Ante doesn't miss much from there.
19 - Chivas again putting the pressure on Pachuca but the ball goes into touch. Guess it's fitting that Ante gets Chivas' first international goal. He also accounted for their first playoff goal but not their first-ever goal. That would be Thiago Martins.
23 - GOAL! Pachuca! And just like that, it's even. Panchito Mendoza was called for a foul deep in Chivas' third. Marioni knocked in the free kick as he got past Suarez and deflected the pass into the back of the net. Some up here in the pressbox questioned the foul, though, as it appeared Mendoza got all ball on his tackle.
25 - Now it's Pachuca attacking furiously. Damian Alvarez races into the area and forces a corner kick, that Lance Parker punches out to Pinto, who squres a ball to Correa. Correa shot on goal but Parker dives and makes the save.
30 - Leo Lopez was injured and tended to and returned with a white bandage on his head. Gabriel Caballero and Bruno Marioni are wearing headbands but Bruno's is black. Still, it's not too hard to distinguish Lopez from Caballero - Lopez looks kinda like Calen Carr, though he's not as skinny.
32 - Paulino rips a shot from long distance, rebound falls to Kljestan but he can't control it.
33 - Razov fouled some 22 yards out. He and Sacha stand over the ball.
34 - Ante takes it but it goes well wide of the goal.
35 - Panchito does well to get around some Tuzo defenders but his cross is abysmal. Too far for Ante, not far enough for Atiba.
37 - Marioni is offside as he races after ball in area. On play, though, Lance Parker was aggressive in charging off line and challenging for ball.
38 - Suarez with a foul for another Pachuca free kick. Chivas giving away too many set pieces early on.
39 - A close shot by Manzur as he knocks cross toward goal but the ball lands on top of net.
42 - GOAL! Caballero! Pachuca leads 2-1. Cross came from left side as Rodriguez. Caballero had space and flicked the header into the back of the net. Parker had no chance. Not sure if Guzan would have made that save.
44 - That could be a backbreaking goal for Chivas. The first half was pretty even but Chivas had quite a bit of energy and to still go into the locker room at halftime losing - especially with two shots of the woodwork - could be demoralizing. Plus, Pachuca probably has the advantage in terms of fitness.
45 - Two minutes of stoppage time. Pachuca knocking the ball around as the "Ole!" chants grow louder.
HALFTIME - The first half was played a frenetic pace. With little on his bench, Preki has to hope his players have 45 more minutes in them. Only real option off bench is Jorge Flores... Anthony Hamilton might be useful, but hasn't looked good in recent games. Justin Braun is not in uniform.
50 - Razov nearly equalizes but Calero makes a diving save as Razov nearly heads a shot into the back of the net. Calero dived and knocked the ball away with a quick reaction save.
55 - Chivas' legs dont look quite dead yet. Panchito and Bornstein look particularly active. Harris too.
57 - Razov does well to create space but his shot goes well over the crossbar.
60 - Marioni tests Parker from close range. Rodriguez (who else?) swings a cross into the box and Marioni beats Burling to the ball. His shot, though, goes right to Parker who does well to make the reaction save.
61 - Chivas subs: Daniel Paladini and Jim Curtin in, Jesse Marsch and Bobby Burling out. Looks like Preki set an hour limit on those two.
69 - Chivas sub: Anthony Hamilton in for Ante Razov. It'll be tough for Chivas to come back without Razov. Pachuca makes pair of moves as marioni and Caballero are out for Francisco Torres and Christian Correa.
75 - Another attack goes nowhere. Preki is probably wishing Alecko Eskandarian, Maykel Galindo, Raphael Wicky, Lawson Vaughn and Justin Braun were all healthy. But they're not, so we get Hamilton and Paladini.
80 - Panchito wins a corner, Pachuca makes their last sub. Juan Carlos Rojas in, Chaco Gimenez out.
81 - Corner kick goes nowheere as Calero skies for it and punches it away.
85 - Okay, the clubs get four subs apparently. Kraig Chiles replaced Carey Talley and now Luis Montes has replaced Damian Alvarez.
86 - Parker with another save, stopping Correa from close range.
88 - Okay, I've got all three of my match reports written. A late Chivas goal here would set me back quite a bit. A Pachuca goal would only force me to re-work my respective ledes. Come on Tuzos... I kid... sort of...
90 - A pair of late yellows, one on Curtin and one on Paladini.
90+ - Four minutes of stoppage time. Too much time, as my night could still get ruined. Pachuca nearly scores but Rodriguez turned away by Parker. Now a near fatality in th emiddle of the field. Okay, not so much, but the Tuzo player will milk this for as much as he can. Looks like five people are off the sidelines to tend to him, and carry him off on a stretcher. Okay, he only milked about 30 seconds off clock. Hopefully he lives.
90+ - Pachuca with the ball for majority of time now. Late counter now, Rodriguez looks for Correa but he fans on it.
90+ - Chivas counters now but bad pass ruins it.
FULL TIME
Pachuca 2, Chivas USA 1. Thanks for following along.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Los Tuzos a Japon
Pachuca is the best team in CONCACAF. Los Tuzos beat Saprissa at home 2-1 on Wednesday in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and won the series on a 3-2 aggregate. Let's see, Pachuca now has won Copa Sudamericana, CONCACAF Champions Cup (twice), Mexico's Clausura 2006 and 2007 and SuperLiga all in the last two calendar years. And to think, this club was in the second division just a decade ago.
For those interested, Jose Francisco Torres did not play in the match.
If you want to watch an extended clip with match commentary, go here.
Game highlights
For those interested, Jose Francisco Torres did not play in the match.
If you want to watch an extended clip with match commentary, go here.
Game highlights
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Pachuca-Saprissa for regional supremacy
Pachuca of Mexico and Saprissa of Costa Rica will play the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup tonight in Costa Rica. It will be interesting to see how Pachuca handles playing in Costa Rica as El Monstruo had its way with both Atlante and Houston at its house, winning each game by the same 3-0 score.
Though no American team is left in the tournament, an American player may participate nonetheless. Jose Francisco Torres of Pachuca is might play against Saprissa. Pachuca enters the match on the heels of a terrible result as los Tuzos fell to Puebla 5-2 on the weekend.
Though no American team is left in the tournament, an American player may participate nonetheless. Jose Francisco Torres of Pachuca is might play against Saprissa. Pachuca enters the match on the heels of a terrible result as los Tuzos fell to Puebla 5-2 on the weekend.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Serving one up
Here is highlights of Pachuca's 1-1 draw with Monterrey. Jose Francisco Torres set up Pachuca's only goal, which is early on in the clip. His subsequent red card, though, didn't make this. It may have been retaliation, though, or at the very least anger. He was the player who was taken out in the clip, the one near the top of the box.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuzo tough
This year's Pachuca squad is not the same one that won multiple cups in the first part of 2007. However, Pachuca is still a force in Mexico and D.C. United learned that the hard way as Pachuca beat D.C. 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions Cup semifinal series.
Pachuca's offense has valuable weapons such as Juan Carlos Cacho and Christian "Chaco" Gimenez but it was Luis Arturo "Chapo" Montes who was the star of the game. Montes scored both goals and now has scored all three goals in Pachuca's cup campaign thus far.
D.C.'s loss is nothing new. Though the margin continues to be less than before, an MLS team has not yet beaten a Mexican team on Mexican soil in this competition. The margin of win now gives Mexican clubs an all-time aggregate score of 35-6 over their MLS counterparts in such games.
D.C., though, is very much alive. A two-goal deficit is not an insurmountable one, and the club now knows what it has to do in the return leg a week from now.
Pachuca's offense has valuable weapons such as Juan Carlos Cacho and Christian "Chaco" Gimenez but it was Luis Arturo "Chapo" Montes who was the star of the game. Montes scored both goals and now has scored all three goals in Pachuca's cup campaign thus far.
D.C.'s loss is nothing new. Though the margin continues to be less than before, an MLS team has not yet beaten a Mexican team on Mexican soil in this competition. The margin of win now gives Mexican clubs an all-time aggregate score of 35-6 over their MLS counterparts in such games.
D.C., though, is very much alive. A two-goal deficit is not an insurmountable one, and the club now knows what it has to do in the return leg a week from now.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Bouncing celebration
D.C. United will head to Pachuca for the first leg of the clubs' CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal series on Tuesday. The odds are against D.C. pulling out any type of result. Since the tournament switched to the current format in 2002, Mexican teams hold a 33-6 aggregate score over MLS clubs in games played in Mexico. Still, D.C. held their own in Guadalajara a year ago but came up short 2-1.
Still, D.C. fans may not be too upset with a Pachuca goal or two as long as this fan is there to celebrate.
Still, D.C. fans may not be too upset with a Pachuca goal or two as long as this fan is there to celebrate.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Solo quedan los recuerdos
I'd like to dedicate this next song to los Tuzos de Pachuca.
Yes, the once-grand Tuzo empire came crumbling down today in glorious manner. Like most empires, the fall of the Pachuca dynasty was epic. Cruz Azul did Pachuca in by a 4-0 second-leg win and a 6-0 aggregate victory in the repechaje round of Mexico's Apertura 2007 season.
Truth is, Pachuca's dynasty was in tatters since the fall of Miguel Calero. But now it's finally over and Pachuca are mere mortals once again.
Anyway, here's one of my favorite depressing songs.
Amor Limosnero:
Yo no quisiera hablar de despedida
me duele mucho, me parte el alma
pero que puedo hacer
ahora recojo mi arrastrado orgullo
hoy me marcho de ti
no lo vas a creer
Yo no quisiera provocarte pena
pues se de sobra que tu alma es buena
por no verme llorar
podias quedarte sin abrir las alas
y en tus alas se ve que ahora quieres volar
Y aqui se termina, aqui se termina
este amor limosnero
me voy de tu vida
porque te quiero
te doy la libertad
de que vueles en voz de tu felicidad
Yo no quisiera provocarte pena
pues se de sobra que tu alma es buena
por no verme llorar
podias quedarte sin abrir las alas
y en tus alas se ve que ahora quieres volar
Y aqui se termina, aqui se termina
este amor limosnero
me voy de tu vida
porque te quiero
te doy la libertad
de que vueles en voz de tu felicidad
Yes, the once-grand Tuzo empire came crumbling down today in glorious manner. Like most empires, the fall of the Pachuca dynasty was epic. Cruz Azul did Pachuca in by a 4-0 second-leg win and a 6-0 aggregate victory in the repechaje round of Mexico's Apertura 2007 season.
Truth is, Pachuca's dynasty was in tatters since the fall of Miguel Calero. But now it's finally over and Pachuca are mere mortals once again.
Anyway, here's one of my favorite depressing songs.
Amor Limosnero:
Yo no quisiera hablar de despedida
me duele mucho, me parte el alma
pero que puedo hacer
ahora recojo mi arrastrado orgullo
hoy me marcho de ti
no lo vas a creer
Yo no quisiera provocarte pena
pues se de sobra que tu alma es buena
por no verme llorar
podias quedarte sin abrir las alas
y en tus alas se ve que ahora quieres volar
Y aqui se termina, aqui se termina
este amor limosnero
me voy de tu vida
porque te quiero
te doy la libertad
de que vueles en voz de tu felicidad
Yo no quisiera provocarte pena
pues se de sobra que tu alma es buena
por no verme llorar
podias quedarte sin abrir las alas
y en tus alas se ve que ahora quieres volar
Y aqui se termina, aqui se termina
este amor limosnero
me voy de tu vida
porque te quiero
te doy la libertad
de que vueles en voz de tu felicidad
Thursday, November 15, 2007
No support
Pachuca has regularly played in front of raucous crowds during their magical year-plus run in Mexico. On Wednesday, los Tuzos set out in search of yet another title.
A couple of things happened, though, that haven't happened often.
Pachuca lost to Cruz Azul 2-0 and is now on the brink of elimination. Only a complete turnaround in Estadio Azul on Saturday will prevent Pachuca from crashing out of the Apertura 2007 season.
Perhaps more rare: the attendance for Wednesday's repechaje game was zero.
Following the regular-season finale against Pumas, Pachuca supporters threw objects at the officials. At least one object made contact with an official, and the result was a ban for one match. Supporters were banned from a playoff game and Pachuca lost.
Check out some pictures from the game in this gallery here, including shots of the empty stadium. Seems kinda strange.
A couple of things happened, though, that haven't happened often.
Pachuca lost to Cruz Azul 2-0 and is now on the brink of elimination. Only a complete turnaround in Estadio Azul on Saturday will prevent Pachuca from crashing out of the Apertura 2007 season.
Perhaps more rare: the attendance for Wednesday's repechaje game was zero.
Following the regular-season finale against Pumas, Pachuca supporters threw objects at the officials. At least one object made contact with an official, and the result was a ban for one match. Supporters were banned from a playoff game and Pachuca lost.
Check out some pictures from the game in this gallery here, including shots of the empty stadium. Seems kinda strange.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
They're mortal
Pachuca's reign is over.
Holders of four trophies entering the match, Pachuca was eliminated from contention from Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday despite a 2-0 win over Club America. Las Aguilas advanced on a 4-3 aggregate and will play Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in the next round.
Christian Gimenez accounted for both goals; he scored one directly off a set piece and forced Guillermo Ochoa to make a save on another, which Damian Alvarez cleaned up and put past "Memo" for another goal. But los Tuzos fell just one goal short of pulling off the result.
It was a historic run for sure and los Tuzos can still make history by winning the Apertura season. Only one other team has pulled off the feat since the Mexican league switched to its current short-season format in 1996.
Holders of four trophies entering the match, Pachuca was eliminated from contention from Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday despite a 2-0 win over Club America. Las Aguilas advanced on a 4-3 aggregate and will play Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in the next round.
Christian Gimenez accounted for both goals; he scored one directly off a set piece and forced Guillermo Ochoa to make a save on another, which Damian Alvarez cleaned up and put past "Memo" for another goal. But los Tuzos fell just one goal short of pulling off the result.
It was a historic run for sure and los Tuzos can still make history by winning the Apertura season. Only one other team has pulled off the feat since the Mexican league switched to its current short-season format in 1996.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Trouble in Tuzo-land?
Without Miguel Calero, Pachuca shockingly doesn't seem like their usual selves.
Friday, Pachuca fell to Veracruz by 3-0. It was the third consecutive league match without Calero and the second straight one they've lost. Friday's affair was particularly distressing. Humberto Hernandez, a 22-year-old youngster who has done nothing but thrown gas on the fire, was sent off in the 25th minute as Pachuca played a man down for most of the match.
After this weekend's action, Pachuca might be down as far as seventh in the overall table. Though their playoff lives aren't too much in jeopardy (all they need to do is finish above Pumas, Puebla, Jaguares and Tecos), their form has certainly taken a hit without Calero.
Friday, Pachuca fell to Veracruz by 3-0. It was the third consecutive league match without Calero and the second straight one they've lost. Friday's affair was particularly distressing. Humberto Hernandez, a 22-year-old youngster who has done nothing but thrown gas on the fire, was sent off in the 25th minute as Pachuca played a man down for most of the match.
After this weekend's action, Pachuca might be down as far as seventh in the overall table. Though their playoff lives aren't too much in jeopardy (all they need to do is finish above Pumas, Puebla, Jaguares and Tecos), their form has certainly taken a hit without Calero.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Calero update
Looks like Miguel Calero won't play again this year.
Pachuca president Jesus Martinez said that the club's captain and goalkeeper will be out of action for six months, which rules him out of the remainder of the Apertura 2007 season, Copa Sudamericana and the Club World Cup.
It's disappointing that Pachuca won't have the opportunity to defend their titles and try for another one with their full squad but such is life. At this point, Calero's health is the only thing that matters. He was operated for deep vein thrombosis, a blood-clotting ailment.
Pachuca president Jesus Martinez said that the club's captain and goalkeeper will be out of action for six months, which rules him out of the remainder of the Apertura 2007 season, Copa Sudamericana and the Club World Cup.
It's disappointing that Pachuca won't have the opportunity to defend their titles and try for another one with their full squad but such is life. At this point, Calero's health is the only thing that matters. He was operated for deep vein thrombosis, a blood-clotting ailment.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Feeling Minnesota
Pachuca goalkeeper Miguel Calero was operated successfully on Sunday at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Pachuca's skipper had deep vein thrombosis, a type of blood-clot ailment.
Calero is expected to be out for at least two months but might be out quite a bit longer. According to the report, Calero is likely to remain in Minnesota for the next several days and return to Pachuca afterward to begin his rehabilitation.
Calero is expected to be out for at least two months but might be out quite a bit longer. According to the report, Calero is likely to remain in Minnesota for the next several days and return to Pachuca afterward to begin his rehabilitation.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Mediotiempo gallery
A lot of interesting pictures in the MedioTiempo.com gallery of the Galaxy-Pachuca match.
This one is of a Galaxy supporter holding a Budweiser bottle clad in a yellow Xavi-style wig.
This one is of a Galaxy supporter holding a Budweiser bottle clad in a yellow Xavi-style wig.
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