Fern Mc Costigan: July 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The Argentinian League Becoming a Player Haven for MLS Clubs

Isn’t that the truth, how the Argentinian League or its championship known as the First Division is now becoming a hotbed for Major league Soccer clubs in search of talented players without a hefty price tag.

Very well how these players become very valuable and the spark of every manager initial eleven and club they play for, becoming all around leaders and giving MSL a boost in its game and with their talents contributing enormous quality in it!

This isn’t a strange case from this Andean nation contribution’s to world theaters and clubs, as in the Europeans, Asian, Latin-American we always see in its squads a couple or more players from Argentina descent.

We can say its 3-1 ratio of Argentinian players hired the most than Brazilian, Uruguayan or Chilean players overall, this because their all-around dedication and hunger for the game they love.

As this campaign 10 MLS squad’s having a couple or more players in their ranks, as the case of the Portland Timbers that after getting their new player to reinforce their offense in a new forward, which increases their roster to five Argentinians.

So far Portland with their top rated player midfielder wiz Diego Valeri, defender Norberto Papparatto and forwards Maxi Urruti, Gaston Fernandez and newcomer Lucas Melano.

By getting all of these players many give the Rose City squad a certain edge in the upcoming matches that they can make a lot of noise not only in the postseason but maybe in the MLS Shield finals.

Other squads in Columbus with their franchised player in Federico Higuaín that so far has made this squad a contender and the Colorado Rapids adding a couple of Andean players in Luis Salignac and Lucas Pittinari.

Another valuable acquisition from these lands was Ignacio Piatti a midfielder orchestrator and heart of its offense alongside forward Octavio Romero and Victor Cabrera who almost deliver to the Gars of the Impact their first CONCACHAMPIONS trophy.

The Vancouver Whitecaps with a roster and by the suggestion of its Manager Carl Robinson has two Argentinians and three Uruguayan’s and one Chilean in his roster and without any review his two starters in Mauro Rosales and Matias Laba have been an asset to his successful game plan.

Ask that to DC United in Fabian Espindola and Facundo Coria, Houston Dynamo Leonel Miranda, Real Salt Lake Javier Morales and Sebastian Jaime San Jose Quakes Leonel Barrera and Matias Perez Garcia and FC Dallas with Ezequiel Cirigliano and Mauro Diaz.

Raising its campaign the number of 22 Andeans playing in MLS without counting the other players of South American descent, MLS is learning from its neighbor to the south in Mexico that all of their squads reinforce themselves its majority of rosters with these players.

Alongside the top European squad’s in the case of Manchester United, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain, Juventus and Manchester City to mention a few who their Bosses rely on these players faculties.

As Barza being one notable example of having in its ranks the world best player in Lionel Messi and others in the case of Real Madrid’s all time legend Alfredo di Stefano alongside Diego Maradona, Mario Kempes who have left enormous contributions to world soccer.

Call it cornucopia, nursery or seedbed is what Argentine football is all about with its thirty squads that so far produce the world top and foremost players known for their productivity and dedication that make a whole of difference in the clubs they play for.

Argentina, Argentina!

Crest Credit and Property of AFA and Wikipedia 2015

Photos Credit and Property of © Asociacion de Futbol Argentina 2015

Monday, July 27, 2015

Disastrous Night in Dallas for the Timbers Defenders

One night sure to forget for the Portland Timbers backfield, as this time the local Dallas Squad made this meeting an even one- after their humiliating defeat back at Providence Park on that April 4 meeting.

A resounding 4-1 win in front of their faithful that numbered more than 15,992 that didn’t left disappointed but happy to see that goal fest headed by an inspired Michael Barrios that participated with a double dose of goals.

Very well inspiring his teammates in Kellyn Acosta and Mauro Diaz to put the icing on the cake and culminated a perfect night for Dallas Manager Oscar Pareja.

After this result the Texans are atop the Western Division with two points ahead the Vancouver Whitecaps and percentage points that favor them in the Supporters Shield.

A 4-3-2-1 formation used by the Timbers Boss Caleb Porter didn’t stopped an inspired Dallas attack that really made life impossible all evening long for the Timbers backfield and its goalie Adam Kwarsey.

Still for the Portland Timbers being their only absence in Captain Will Johnson suspended a week ago for a red card, Captain Timber Jack Jewsbury taking over and try to put another display of heroics that didn’t arrived all evening long.

No more excuses as the Timbers have a complete initial eleven and sans injuries that could make the difference as well seeing their new acquisition in Lucas Melano played a few minutes, but seeing a positive outcome in matches to come for the Rose City squad.

Suddenly the road is becoming a bit difficult for the Timbers and their Boss Caleb Porter would definitely like to end this skid once in for all if his chaps are to make the postseason.

Definitely at home the Timbers can be someone not to mess with but on the road those matches count and so far seed on sixth place and going to Avaya Stadium at San Jose, being another all-around challenge for the Rose City Boys.

As the campaign heats up always after the All- Star game break, the levels of competition in the months of August and September will reach their ultimate of emotions in many squads looking to net a direct pass into the league postseason.

Something not easy and for Manager Porter will have to direct a series of strategies to really lift hit squad into the promised land as well try to net a couple of shields to the halls of Providence Park.

To compete with the likes of Seattle, Vancouver, SKC, LA and Dallas will be a feat like no other as well the intent of getting away from squads of the likes of RSL, Colorado, Houston and especially San Jose who they play next week.

Seen as a do or die match at Avaya, looking up to erase last week poor performance at Frisco, Texas- as the early goals or heat shouldn’t be an excuse to lose matches as well to see a whole initial eleven stepping out with a monster of a performance in matches yet to come!

surely the Timbers defense considered a top notch one in all of Major League Soccer circles shouldn’t play lacking a hunger to win as well to defend their posts overzealous, this past road woes should be forgotten for good and focus in the next challenge’s!

Crest Credit and Property of Portland Timbers Football Club and Wikipedia 2015

Photos Credit and Property of © Portland Timbers and Kevin Jairaj- USA Today 2015

Sunday, July 26, 2015

A Tainted and Marred Derby Filled with a Lot of Incompetence

The Cascadia Derbies are known for the spectacular passion and all around rivalry in the field as well in the stands, as both squads’ followers sing their hearts out in support of their squads as well both initial elevens in the field stage a one of a kid match!

These rivalries date from way back time as Cascadia is refereed to this mountainous chain in the Pacific Northwest all the way to Canada, where this rivalry name is based upon.

With Portland and Seattle staging the main rivalry many dubbed it as the I-5 one and Vancouver too, being an avid participant since the days of that glorious NASL when this face off became a heated one since then.

This past weekend the Portland Timbers were enjoying a winning run and becoming a force not to be reckoning with at Providence Park, with a match against their cross the border rivals and Cascadia foes in the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Fireworks as always were going to be seen in all of the ninety minutes of play between both of these squads looking to always to get the upper hand in one another as well take advantage of each other in these Cascadia Derbies.

Being in play the honor and the bragging rights for one another as well the advantage to see who will at the end of the campaign lifts up high the so called Cascadia Shield won continuously by the Canadian chap’s dominance and well always showing their overzealous ownership of this shield.

Still the only unfortunate side of this match was the incompetence shown by the official in turn as well allowing the visiting Caps to display a very physical and dirty game against the locals, and by giving all sorts of liberties to the visitors after being so strict to the locals.

Whatever the Timbers players did, there was a yellow card given to them as the ref gave them like he was giving charity, very well in one play the Timbers had to complaint for a rough play against one of their players is when the referee ah- he finally decided to give a yellow card to Caps defender Tim Parker.

After both sides with their Andean players squads scoring a goal apiece, the Timbers players being fouled pushed and tripped the indifference or one sided attitude from the referee that made this match from exciting into a deplorable one.

And indeed, this Derby was marred by the official’s incompetence that at the end frustrated many players from both sides and because of Juan Guzman referring with a total incompetence as well showing his ineptitude all along this match almost that ended in an all-around fistfight.

As well suspending several players among one of them the Timbers captain Will Johnson that couldn’t resist his frustration’s and voice them to this lack of skills official, I must say MLS- show off some seriousness with the people officiating your matches.

In every campaign the league shows a certain level of competitiveness as well elevating its game to the same as its European counterparts, here MLS has to evaluate what kind of people are officiating its matches and prevent a future melees in the field as well in the stands.

With officials like this, the level of game and all excitement is in danger of losing its charms with people and situations like this, isn’t a referee should always maintain a certain order and show a certain neutrality, isn’t that the truth!

Hopefully the league can make some moves to improve the quality of all its officials and generated a standard in the way these are to manage a match from its start to its ending, they are only humans but in the way that their officiating had to be a one sided affair.

Crest Credit and Property of Portland Timbers Football Club and Wikipedia 2015

Monday, July 20, 2015

Crusaders & Dundalk Keeping their Hopes Alive in Champions League

The second round in the elimination heats of the Champion’s League for both Irish clubs, seems like there’s no such thing as a walk in the park for both of its league’s representatives.

So far playing both of these squad’s in the second round, showing an all-around competiveness for both of these flamboyant champions representing the North Ireland Premier League of Ireland and the Airtricity League of the Republic of Ireland.

For both Crusaders FC Hachetmen and Dundalk Lilywhites Cumann Peile Dhún Dealgan, it doesn’t t look or come easy as they though, so far both squads looking their first compromises and with their back against the walls.

It’s a do or die situation in their next second leg matches if these two want to continue in their quest to play in this prestigious and one of a kind World class tournament as it’s known in the world.

With the Crusaders FC Crues playing against a determined Albanian side KF Skenderbeu Korce who didn’t wanted to allow any liberties to tis Irish guests and not disappoint their followers by trouncing the Hachetmen to a 4-1 final score.

This loss so far in this event gives the Crues a record of two draws and one loss in this competition and for their Manager Stephen Baxter is time to get back to the drawing board in order to pull a much needed miracle and avenge that horrible loss at Skenderbeu.

As their next match at Seaview in Belfast will determine the faith of the Hachetmen as their arsenal will have to explode in order to maintain tier hops alive if they want to move to the next rounds and to the coveted group stage.

The Dundalk Lilywhites and Manager Stephen Kenny after losing by one goal at Borisov Arena at Barisaw, Belarus- it’s ow or never to get his cartons even after tier only loss in this round can be evened with a win at home over Bate Borisov.

A one goal difference can make things a bit easy for Kenny and the Dundalk gang at Oriel park as their hopes and pinned to maintain a perfect record at home were these Chaps don’t run and show certain dominance over their rivals.

Those Lilywhites have a lot of possibilities of making a lot of noise in this rounds and even their cartoons for the best as well try hardly to make it to the Group stage and compete with the big guns of Europe as well write more glorious history this squad annals.

The ball is in the court of both these Irish squad’s, it’s a matter of taking advantage of the opportunity and the home field advantage to advance into the next stages and both represent proudly their league and nations alike.

Crest Credit and Property of Dundalk Lilywhites and Crusader’s FC Football Club’s and Wikipedia 2015