Admit it, there's nothing more exciting than football drama, and
today's United-Liverpool showdown at Old Trafford has all the ingredients that
scream "Phantom Of The SuarezGate II!" Whether Patrice
Evra and Luis Suarez will be :
a) shaking hands (-20 points),
b) doing the Uruguayan cumbia dance (+10 points) or
c) shoving jalapeños down each other's throats (+40 points) ;
Past statistics favour goals from both sides and hopefully mio dios!
WE'RE BACK! Ultras Alive returns this Monday February 13 at 10pm for it's 35th show and the first
one in 2012 with guests Gabriel Gabor Major League Soccer / Soccer United Marketing's (Twitter:
@MLSGabor )who will be promoting the Mexico vs Colombia game this coming February 29, 2012
We will also be giving out 2 tickets to the game so stay tuned on how you can win them.
You might have caught wind of reports that the Portland Timbers were getting ready to sign 20
year-old left back Juan David Duque out of Colombia. Stumptown Footy had solid looking reports up
on January 25 and February 1. Here we are on February 8 though and still no Juan David Duque inking
a deal.
It's been 17 years since Rene Higuita executed his audacious scorpion kick to block a weak shot
from Jamie Redknapp in a friendly between England and Colombia at Wembley. Since then, it's become
one of the most iconic in the sport's history and has been attempted by goalkeepers and attackers
alike, some more successful than others.
Lionard Pajoy was having the best season of his career as a 30-year old in Colombia, and now the
6'1″ striker has a chance to build on his late blooming success as a member of the Philadelphia
Union.
The team announced the signing of Pajoy (pronounced "Pa-hoy") from Colombian first division side
Itagui Ditaires today.
Lionard Pajoy was having the best season of his career as a 30-year old in Colombia, and now the
6'1″ striker has a chance to build on his late blooming success as a member of the Philadelphia
Union.
The team announced the signing of Pajoy (pronounced "Pa-hoy") from Colombian first division side
Itagui Ditaires today.
The New England Revolution thought that they had secured a prized piece to their attacking
puzzle by announcing the signing of Colombian forward Jose "Pepe" Moreno on loan from Once Caldas
last week. While that still may wind up being the case, there's something a bit awkward and unusual
going on.
It looks like Pepe Moreno may not be playing or practicing in a Revolution uniform anytime
soon.
Five days after New England announced that it had reached a loan agreement with Colombian side
Once Caldas to bring the 30-year-old striker to Gillette Stadium, a report surfaced on Tuesday
surfaced that the deal is off.
Jose Balcazar - No position announced (Deportivo Cali)
Joe Bendik - Goalkeeper (Sogndal)
Lance Davids - Midfielder (Lierse SK)
Miguel Ibarra - Midfielder
Ryan Kawulok - Defender
Brendan King - Midfielder
Sebastián Rincon - Forward (Santa Fe, Colombia)
Franck Songo'o - Midfielder (Albacete Balompie)
Per the Timbers site, here are the non-roster/trialists that are in California with the
Timbers.
The Rapids played their first friendly of the preseason today against the Ventura County Fusion at
Oxnard College in California. The game was a scoreless draw and with no coverage its hard to draw
much of anything from the result, but here are the starting lineups for each half (* denotes
trialist):
1st Half:
Cascio - Amarikwa - AkpanThompson - Nane - LaBauexFreeman - Marshall - Palguta - Zapata*Ceus
2nd Half:
Angulo* - Archer* - ArmstrongThompson - Nane - Guido*Huazo* - Marshall - Palguta - AbabioJoyce
Obviously this was a game for some of the reserves to try to make their mark in competing for a
starting spot.
05.02.2012 - Terminadas las (6) series del repechaje (Fase 1) clasificatorio a la Copa
Libertadores de América (2012), las seis plazas vacantes fueron ocupadas por:
G1:
Arsenal (Argentina) sobre Sport Huancayo (Perú) - (4-1) -
Al Grupo 4.G2:
Libertad (Paraguay) sobre El Nacional (Ecuador) - (4-2) -
Al Grupo 5.
The Portland Timbers were finally able to talk about the long term status of their young Colombian
forward, Jose Adolfo Valencia. After discovering some scarring in his left knee during a pre-season
medical exam that could lead to troubles down the line, the Timbers worked with Valencia's former
club in Colombia to adjust the transfer agreement, allowing Valencia to undergo surgery in Portland
this year.
The Philadelphia Union were expected to announce the signing of Lionard Pajoy last week, but the
team has yet to officially recognize the striker as a player. According to a Colombian league
report, Pajoy is experiencing visa problems, which are keeping him from joining the Union.
The 30-year-old had problems getting out of his contract with Itagui Ditaires, per a source that
talked to Kerith Gabriel, of the Philadelphia Daily News and Philly.
photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
The San Jose Earthquakes have added some punch to their attack, and it comes in the form of
Colombian midfielder Tressor Moreno.
The Earthquakes announced they signed Moreno on Thursday, adding a 33-year-old attacking
midfielder with experience playing for clubs in Colombia, France, Mexico, Peru and Chile.
Faryd Mondragon is officially no longer a Philadelphia Union player. The goalkeeper will return
to the team that he began his career with, Deportivo Cali, as soon as the player and his family can
move to Colombia.
"It has been an absolute honor and a privilege to be part of the Union family," said Mondragón
told PhiladelphiaUnion.
Last day of the transfer window makes for a fun day.
Two big(ish) points of news on this Monday afternoon.
1. The Portland Timbers have signed their third DP, Scottish striker Kris Boyd. A big stinkin'
signing.
2. Faryd Mondragon has left Philadelphia to return to Colombia. Union now down to one keeper in
Zac MacMath.
The Sebastien Le Toux has taken another turn, as the striker is apparently once again available
to Bolton Wanderers if a bid is tabled.
The Bolton News is reporting that the Philadelphia Union are open to selling Le Toux to the
Wanderers, but only "for a fair price." Bolton has been rumored to be waiting for other transfers
to finalize before moving onto a transfer for Le Toux.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
The silly season got sillier for the Philadelphia Union over the weekend. Following word from
England that Sebastien Le Toux reportedly did not sufficiently impress while on trial with Bolton,
and the news that Danny Mwanga is training for two weeks with Aston Villa, the Union transfer rumor
well still wasn't dry.
The Philadelphia Union may have claimed to Philly Soccer Page that they haven't talked to
Deportivo Cali, but Faryd Mondragon is headed to Colombia. Liga Posotbon, the Colombian top league,
is reporting on its official websitethat Mondragon is returning to Deportivo.
The 40-year-old began his 21-year career with Deportivo in 1990-91, after being shuttled back
and forth from practices during his youth at the club.
Faryd Mondragon's out-of-the-blue transfer saga may be at an end, according to a Colombian media
outlet.
The 40-year-old has signed a contract with Deportivo Cali, Nuevo Estadio reports. Mondragon
began his career with the Liga Postobon club in 1990-1991, before moving to Real Cartagena, another
Colombian team.
Silly season has bitten the Philadelphia Union hard, as the international transfer window is set
to close in three days. After apparently shrugging off a Sebastien Le Toux transfer to Bolton
Wanderers, the Union are set to lose team captain Faryd Mondragon.
The 40-year-old is on his way back to Colombia, according to Deportivo Cali's Vice
President.
Lionard Pajoy is all but an official Philadelphia Union player, according to Itaqui Ditaire's
President.
Jose Fernando Salazar told Golcaracol that Pajoy is headed to Philadelphia to play in MLS in
2012. A contract has been signed and only obtaining a P-1 visa is holding up the transfer from
becoming official.
If Colombian media is to be believed, Faryd Mondragon is set to made a dramatic return to the
country to end his career.
Golcarcol is reporting that Deportivo Cali has begun discussions to bring Mondragon back to the
team. Deportivo is the team with which Mondragon began his career, which now spans over two
decades, during the 1990-91 season.
México inició con el pie derecho el año 2012. La Selección Tricolor venció 3-1 a Venezuela en
duelo de preparación jugado en el Reliant Stadium de Houston, Texas.
Goles: Edgar Greco 51' para los venezolanos; Carlos Salcido 68', Rafael Márquez Lugo 88' y Oribe
Peralta 89', para los mexicanos.
The Colorado Rapids are shifting their philosophy after going through a front office and
technical staff overhaul, and that change is spreading to the field as well after the club
announced the signing of Colombian attacking midfielder Jaime Castrillon from Independiente
Medellin.
Kerith Gabriel of the Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that only a contract issue is
preventing Colombian striker Lionard Pajoy from completing a transfer to the Philadelphia Union.
Pajoy, 30, leads the Colombian first division with 10 goals in 18 games for Itagui Ditaires.
Pajoy's profligacy in front of goal is a new development, however, with his career numbers
hardly indicative of a dominant striker.
Robayo speaks about his move
Rafael Robayo spoke to the Colombian media Friday to discuss his departure from Colombian club
Millionairos. He said his new contract was a two year contract. The first year of the contract is a
loan with the Fire holding the right to purchase the 2nd year or extend the loan.
Here is the USA's starting lineup against Venezuela:
Hamid
DeLaGarza Parkhurst Cameron Pearce
Larentowicz Jones (capt.)
Zusi Feilhaber Shea
Bunbury
1-Bill Hamid2-A.
This picture shows why the MLS is able to mine Colombia for some of there best talent. They get
to bring their families to this country and actually get a steady paycheck. What person wouldn't
want to provide for their family?
Soccer fans! This Saturday come out to Mickey Byrnes in Hollywood to check out USA vs Venezuela at
9PM. Come join the American Outlaws South Florida for a great night of fun and prizes, starting
with a PS3 FIFA '12 championship prior to the game. (Starting at 7 pm)
During half time of the USA vs Venezuela game the Ultras, South Florida's premiere soccer
supporters group, will be giving away 4 tickets to the Mexico vs Colombia game scheduled for
February 29, 2012 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
La selección absoluta de España conservó el primer lugar en el ranking mundial divulgado hoy por
la Federación Internacional de Fútbol.
Los ibéricos, vigentes monarcas del orbe y de Europa, continúan al frente de la clasificación
con 1564 puntos, casi 200 por delante de su escolta Holanda, subcampeón en la Copa del Mundo
Suráfrica-2010.
Timbers sign Colombian defender Hanyer Mosquera
Mosquera, 24, joins the Timbers after playing the past six seasons in Colombia, including the
last two with first-division side Club Deportivo La Equidad Seguros. Last season, he helped lead La
Equidad to the finals of the Liga Postobón's Apertura campaign and competed in the 2011 Copa
Sudamericana.
To kickoff 2012, my first (and only) blog entry centered on a plea for the New England
Revolution to be "blog worthy" in 2012. A hope that it would "show the fanbase how big the
Revolution dream is, and steps you are taking to achieve it."
Given a week of activity, I'm concerned the team still cannot explain the vision of the team's
future the way I'd like, but its actions actually give me hope.
This is what looks to be just any half-football/half-other sports (heavily football, they say)
pitch in any neighborhood in the world, lacking all of the requisite quality for anything but a
casual game. It is remarkable only in its unremarkability.
And then it got an umbrella.
The Denver Post has confirmed a rumor that came out of Colombia this weekend, Independiente
Medellín midfielder Jaime Castrillón is in talks with the Rapids. He was also in talks to join
Colombian side Millionaires but has decided to set his eyes on MLS. Some sources are reporting that
he's already signed, but the Rapids told the Post that discussions are still on-going.
The New England Revolution could have filled two of needs with the signing of central defender
John Lozano and midfielder/forward Fernando Cárdenas.
"Both John and Fernando have experience playing in Colombia's top division, both with and
against some of CONCACAF's top club teams," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said.
Rumor: Offer for Hanyer Mosquera from Colombia as a central defender?
"The central defender had already arranged their relationship with the Blues, but an offer from
Portland to the MLS made him change his mind." [Google translates]
Video of said player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
In the spirit of honesty, I can let you know that I've been writing the same Revolution-focused
blog post for well over a week. It's a long winding tale of where the team stands and what you
might do differently from a business and marketing perspective. Goodness knows, I didn't have the
heart to also tackle on-field possibilities in the same post.
Liverpool has held talks with the representatives of Jaguares striker Jackson Martinez.
The Colombia international, 25, has also attracted strong interest from Manchester City, Chelsea
and Arsenal but his club have raised the price since negotiations were opened in September.
He was originally available for a bargain £5.
Fútbol México - Fútbol MéxicoFútbol México -
Donde esta Dayro?
Dayro Moreno llego a Tijuana con gran cartel, no solo como la mejor contratación del equipo
tijuanense sino además como una de las mejores del futbol mexicano, sus primeras jornadas
cumplieron las expectativas y el "¡Dayro, Dayro!
