On Wednesday of this week, interim CONCACAF president Alfredo Hawit gave the clearest signal yet that the confederation will collaborate much more closely with CONMEBOL than they have in the past. Will it be a merger in everything but name? Not yet, but significant factions within both groups are considering the possibilities.

The Chicago Fire have signed 25 year-old Uruguayan forward Federico Puppo. HTIOT first put this rumor up over a week ago and it's interesting to see it finalized. It seems the Chicago Fire technical staff should be fully familiar with Puppo.

"Federico Puppo is a player we've kept an eye for the past few seasons," said Fire head coach Frank Klopas.

Universidad de Chile crowned a fantastic year by winning the Clausura championship final last night. Following a goalless draw in the first leg played last week, "La U" saw off final opponents Cobreloa with a 3-0 score line with all of the goals coming in the first half. Gustavo Canales, Eduardo Vargas and Matias Rodriguez scored the goals which settled the championship which was La U's 15th Chilean championship title overall.

30.12.2011 - Con goles de Gustavo Canales (24'), Eduardo Vargas (28') y el argentino Matías Rodríguez (35'), la Universidad de Chile venció (3-0) a Cobreloa en el Estadio Nacional (luego de la final de ida 0-0) y se coronó campeón del Torneo Clausura 2011 de Chile.

Barcelona's system and style is being emulated all over the world by teams at all levels. As accomplished as Barcelona's fluidity and control on both sides of the ball can be, it also appears that they have copied a page out of Marcelo Bielsa's playbook in regards to his high pressing and back 3.

Good Player Guide #19 Eduardo Vargas is a post from: Just Football

Eduardo Vargas
(Universidad de Chile / Chile)

Universidad de Chile have conquered the 2011 Copa Sudamericana in stunning fashion. Undefeated, with only two goals against in twelve matches, and a delightful style of football that brought back memories of La U's golden years in the '60s, when they were known as Ballet Azul and won five of their fourteen league titles.

"Se mira y se toca" Copa Sudamericana glory for Universidad de Chile is a post from: Just Football

Just Football's man in Chile, Santiago Irribarra reports on an historic continental cup triumph for Universidad de Chile:

In June, when Universidad de Chile lost the first leg of the Apertura final to bitter rivals Universidad Católica 2-0, everybody expected Católica, Copa Libertadores quarter-finalist and building on last year's title-winning form, would have no trouble sealing the win in the second leg, especially when they'd have to lose the second leg by three goals to not win the tournament, in accordance with new rules favouring the higher play-off seed.

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La Universidad de Chile superó con autoridad a la Liga de Quito por 3-0 y se proclamó campeón de la Copa Sudamericana, el primer trofeo internacional que llega a las vitrinas del club.
La U no falló en su cita con la historia y aniquiló al conjunto ecuatoriano con dos goles de Eduardo Vargas, el máximo artillero de la competición, y otro del argentino Gustavo Lorenzetti.

Universidad de Chile are the deserved winners of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana. Their 3-0 second leg victory at home to LDU Quito last night completed a 4-0 aggregate win and brought with it the chance to compete in next year's Copa Libertadores.

Eduardo Vargas, as so often in this competition, proved himself to be the hero for the Chileans.

Universidad de Chile are the deserved winners of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana. Their 3-0 second leg victory at home to LDU Quito last night completed a 4-0 aggregate win and brought with it the chance to compete in next year's Copa Libertadores.

Eduardo Vargas, as so often in this competition, proved himself to be the hero for the Chileans.

Carlos Tevez has for the first time spoken out on his future saying that he wishes to return to his old club Boca Juniors. The 27 year old revealed that going back to City was next to impossible and that it did not matter if he took a wage cut to make his dream a reality.

Speaking to Gente, Tevez also said that he was tired of shuttling to and from England.

14.12.2011 - Con goles de Lorenzetti (´79) y Eduardo Vargas (´3 y ´87), Universidad de Chile goleó (3-0) a Liga de Quito en el estadio Nacional (Santiago) para coronarse campeón de la Copa Sudamericana 2011, con un marcador global de 4-0 luego de la victoria por 0-1 que consiguió en el partido de ida en Ecuador.

It's first blood to Universidad de Chile in the 2011 Copa Sudamericana final following their 1-0 first leg victory over Ecuadorians LDU Quito last night. Eduardo Vargas's goal in the 43rd minute of the game proved the difference as the Chilean champions take a slender one goal into next Wednesday's second leg in Santiago.

It's first blood to Universidad de Chile in the 2011 Copa Sudamericana final following their 1-0 first leg victory over Ecuadorians LDU Quito last night. Eduardo Vargas's goal in the 43rd minute of the game proved the difference as the Chilean champions take a slender one goal into next Wednesday's second leg in Santiago.

Jueves 8 de Diciembre de 20110 LDU Quito vs Universidad de Chile 1Miércoles 14 de Diciembre de 2011Universidad de Chile vs LDU Quito18:15 hrs Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

The Brazilian national championship has made a habit of last day climaxes in recent years and this season's competition is no exception. Corinthians (Played 38, Points 71) won their fifth Brasileiro tonight, their first league title since 2005, following a goalless draw against arch rivals Palmeiras.

Universidad de Chile made club history last night by reaching their first ever continental final in South America. The Chilean champions defeated Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama in last night's Copa Sudamericana semi-final 2nd leg by two goals to nil and, thus, went through 3-1 on aggregate.

Gustavo Canales and Eduardo Vargas were on hand to score the goals for Universidad who became the first Chilean team to reach a major final of a South American club competition since Colo Colo played in the final of the Sudamericana in 2006.

Universidad de Chile made club history last night by reaching their first ever continental final in South America. The Chilean champions defeated Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama in last night's Copa Sudamericana semi-final 2nd leg by two goals to nil and, thus, went through 3-1 on aggregate.

Gustavo Canales and Eduardo Vargas were on hand to score the goals for Universidad who became the first Chilean team to reach a major final of a South American club competition since Colo Colo played in the final of the Sudamericana in 2006.

Ecuadorians LDU Quito have managed to secure their place in another Copa Sudamericana final following their 1-0 second leg victory over Argentinians Vélez Sársfield on Tuesday evening.

The 2009 Sudamericana winners were already leading 2-0 from the first leg played in the Ecuadorian capital last week and it was first leg hero Hernan Barcos who made sure of Vélez's departure from the competition by scoring the only goal of last night's contest in the 48th minute.

Ecuadorians LDU Quito have managed to secure their place in another Copa Sudamericana final following their 1-0 second leg victory over Argentinians Vélez Sársfield on Tuesday evening.

The 2009 Sudamericana winners were already leading 2-0 from the first leg played in the Ecuadorian capital last week and it was first leg hero Hernan Barcos who made sure of Vélez's departure from the competition by scoring the only goal of last night's contest in the 48th minute.

LDU Quito have given themselves a great chance of reaching this year's final by defeating Argentinian giants Vélez Sársfield in the semi final, first leg.

Following a goalless first half, LDU Quito had Hernan Barcos to thank for scoring the goals which have allowed the Ecuadorians to put one foot in this year's final.

Vélez Sarsfield suffered a setback in Quito in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana semi-final, away to LDU Quito. With two goals from Hernán Barcos, the Argentine former Racing and Huracán striker, Liga won 2-0 at home to set ... Continue reading →

Vélez Sarsfield suffered a setback in Quito in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana semi-final, away to LDU Quito. With two goals from Hernán Barcos, the Argentine former Racing and Huracán striker, Liga won 2-0 at home to set ... Continue reading →

The first leg of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana semi-final between Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama and their opponents Universidad de Chile was played in the former's São Januário stadium on Wednesday night. The Brazilians took the lead after half an hour through Bernardo and the goal looked like it might decide the outcome of the first match.

The first leg of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana semi-final between Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama and their opponents Universidad de Chile was played in the former's São Januário stadium on Wednesday night. The Brazilians took the lead after half an hour through Bernardo and the goal looked like it might decide the outcome of the first match.

Miercoles 23 de Noviembre de 20111 CR Vasco da Gama vs Universidad de Chile 1Jueves 24 de Noviembre de 2011LDU Quito vs Vélez Sarsfield 18:15 hrsMartes 29 de Noviembre de 2011Vélez Sarsfield vs LDU Quito 18:15 hrsMiércoles 30 de Noviembre de 2011Universidad de Chile vs CR Vasco da Gama 16:50 hrs Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

In the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, Africa's equivalent of the Europa League or Copa Sudamericana, Tunisians Club Africain secured a slender 1-0 advantage over MAS Fes going into the second leg which takes place in Morocco in a fortnight's time.

Alexis Mendemo scored the only goal of the game as early as the 8th minute to keep hopes of a Tunisian double in African competition alive following Esperance Tunis' triumph in the CAF Champions League last weekend.

Miércoles 9 de noviembre de 20115 Vasco da Gama vs Universitario de Deportes 2Jueves 10 de noviembre de 20113 Vélez Sarsfield vs Independiente Santa Fe 2Jueves 17 de noviembre de 2011Libertad vs LDU Quito 16:15 hrsUniversidad de Chile vs Arsenal de Sarandí 18:45 hrs Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

Thursday night was the time for Vélez Sarsfield's quarter-final second leg in the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, and it was a brilliant match. Having drawn the first leg 1-1 away to Santa Fe of Colombia last week, Vélez stormed into a ... Continue reading →

Thursday night was the time for Vélez Sarsfield's quarter-final second leg in the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, and it was a brilliant match. Having drawn the first leg 1-1 away to Santa Fe of Colombia last week, Vélez stormed into a ... Continue reading →

Before the start of the twelfth round of Torneo Clausura action, I thought I'd give HEGS readers a chance to catch up the Argentine clubs in the Copa Sudamericana. Apologies that these videos weren't posted after the matches in question, but ... Continue reading →

Who doesn't love Chilean football right now? After Marcelo Bielsa revolutionized the national side, it's a hotbed for good viewing and high-quality scouting. And now, apparently for putting too much stock in one game. Almost literally.

Universidad de Chile beat Flamengo on Wednesday in the Copa Sudamericana the South American equivalent of the Europa League.

2009 Copa Sudamericana champions LDU Quito became the first team to reach the quarter-finals of this year's tournament on Wednesday. In last night's Round of 16 second leg against defending champions Independiente the Ecuadorians, who were 2-0 up from the first match a fortnight earlier, lost out to a lone strike from Leonel Núñez.

2009 Copa Sudamericana champions LDU Quito became the first team to reach the quarter-finals of this year's tournament on Wednesday. In last night's Round of 16 second leg against defending champions Independiente the Ecuadorians, who were 2-0 up from the first match a fortnight earlier, lost out to a lone strike from Leonel Núñez.

Defending Copa Sudamericana champions exited the tournament at the hands of 2009 winners Liga de Quito on Wednesday night, winning 1-0 on the night in the Estadio Libertadores de América but losing 2-1 on aggregate by virtue of Liga's 2-0 ... Continue reading →

By Chris Wright

Whatever you do, don't look directly into it's eyes...

"KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!"

Velez Sarsfield's Guillermo Franco 'celebrates' after scoring during a Copa Sudamericana soccer match against Universidad Catolica in Santiago, Chile

[Photo: AP/Roberto Candia]

It was inevitable, in spite of a certain lack of cohesion in their play to date, that at some point River Plate were going to click and put in a good team performance, and that their opponents that day were ... Continue reading →

In the Superclásico de las Américas, Argentina's domestic national team lost 2-0 to their Brazilian counterparts on Wednesday night in Belém, going down to a 2-0 aggregate loss. Lucas opened the scoring for Brazil, and Vélez Sarsfield defender Emiliano Papa ... Continue reading →

Last night the Copa Sudamericana match between Nacional of Uruguay and Universidad de Chile had to be called off early in the second half after a linesman was hit in the head by a streamer, yes a streamer. As you can see in the video below, the linesman ended up collapsing to the ground after the streamer roll hit him on top of the head.