10 Guys YOU could end up cheering for

May 9th, 2008 | By: Lugo | 1 Comment

Regardless of how slow or fast this process is, Colombia has become an exporting market in the world of football so here is a list of Colombian players whom after what they have showed this season, might as well end up at a stadium near you. Some of these videos are not too specific about these guys so you pretty much have to figure out who they are. Feel free to ask.

10. Giovanni MORENO

Young creative midfielder whom at his 1′90 mts of height (sorry, Americans) it’s not your typical south American short-sized fantasista. Already dubbed “the white Freddy Rincón” for his stamina and strenght, Moreno can also play as a supporting striker and has the goals to prove it. Also, he plays for a team that’s dedicated more to sell players than anything else. I’m sure Giovanni has places to go even if they are still inside Colombia. He’s been on trial on some European teams, but is seems hes not quite ready for that yet.

9. Pablo ARMERO

It’s not easy to find left wingers in Colombia at all. However, Armero has the makings of a good one. Deadly on the offense and with limitations on defense. He has at least 5 years of dominating the left wing at godspeed. After that, it will be interesting to see how his game evolves. It would be better if he ends up in Brazil.

8. Freddy Heyncker MONTERO

A pure, classic striker whom hasn’t had the best of season but every time he can, he just scores wonderful goals. Perhaps Deportivo Cali will let go of other strikers who already had abroad experience like Milton Rodrigoez or Sergio Herrera, but certainly Montero seems more attractive than Both of them.

7. Paulo Cesar ARANGO

Another product of America’s youth system, Arango is one of those all-terrain polyfunctional midfielders who seems to have 3 lungs. Vital in contention and profuctive offensively, Arango seems suited for the Argentinian game, but i don’t think he can suck anywhere. He scores the third goal on this one:

6. Juan Camilo ZUÑIGA
See: Armero, but in an improved, right-wing version. He’s the only remarkable player on this season’s Nacional and he’s almost a lock in the NT. He’ definitely ready for Europe.

5. Jaime CASTRILLON

Almost get’s sent to Arsenal de Sarandi in Argentina but he left once he realized he was on trial. On the video, the honor goal he scored for the NT at Copa America. He seems to be fading this season, but if he can get back to what we see in this video, he’ll jump ship for real this time.

4. Edison TOLOZA

A great supporting striker with demon speed. Altough he started as a lock alongside Preciado at Santa Fe, he got benched as of lately. Hopefully he gets back to ruling in the playoffs, but i’m sure he’ll leave sooner or later.

3. Stalin MOTTA

Short-sized but lethal, Stalin Motta is the creative force that has made La Equidad the dominant team it is today. And they’ll certainly won’t let him go on the cheap.

2. Roberto POLO

Here’s scoring Colombia’s second goal against Venezuela in the 5-2 victory. It shows how, just like Motta, Polo is the Striking force for La Equidad. He’s the only one of this list whom already tasted abroad football, but it was a short stint at an obscure Ecuadoran team. Now it should be big time. I picture him in Mexico.

1. Luis Fernando MOSQUERA

The best player of this season, mosquera is just marvelous with the ball in his feet, creating spaces and delivering astounding passes. But I better let you see for yourselves. I hope this video comes out, because this or other videos may not come out and i´m so not reposting them. Trying to enbed videos on Firefox is a pain in the neck so if you don’t see somebody’s video, just look for him on youtube.

May 5th, 2008

FPC Roundup: Ditto.

By: Lugo | Comments 1 Comment

Remember last week’s post? Well, the traffic jam’s still on. It just has different names, and a team like the two-time defending champion, Atletico Nacional, that is remarkably higher on the standing that two matches ago. The greens, because of what they were showing on the field, were candidates for certain elimination, but now, thanks [...]


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April 29th, 2008

FPC Roundup: Traffic jam at 8th and 9th

By: Lugo | Comments Add Comments

Ambassadors aside, this was another great matchday for Bogotá as the Insurance Sellers of La Equidad got a home win against Bucaramanga which allowed them so secure their place alongside Santa Fe in the final 8 of the Colombian League. The Cardinals themselves also had the joy of pretty much crushing the hopes and dreams [...]


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April 25th, 2008

Pinto slams gays in football

By: Lugo | Comments 2 Comments

According to this article, the Colombian NT coach has echoed recent statements by Juventus former sporting director Lucciano Moggi in saying that “In football, there is no space for gays”. In Pinto’s words (which i’m translating) he sayed that “They just don’t fit in. For attidude, behavior, demands and respect, they don’t. I think that [...]


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April 21st, 2008

FPC Roundup: Cardinals regain command

By: Lugo | Comments Add Comments

The continuous tête-a-tête in which Independiente Santa Fe, D.I. Medellin and Seguros La Equidad have entangled themselves for the top spot continued last weekend leaving the Cardinals in first place after their confortable 2-0 win against Tolima while the highlanders lost at home against the giant-killer Envigado 0-1. Meanwhile, The Insurance sellers got a 1-1 [...]


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April 19th, 2008

Ambassadors set to host Real Madrid

By: Lugo | Comments 1 Comment

Or at least those are the news that as published yesterday, altough today Marca cites this El Tiempo interview where Millonarios’ president Juan Carlos Lopez says it is “unlikely because of costs” but he says that the Madrid outfit has already scheduled the trip and if the game goes ahead, on august the 7h, the [...]


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April 16th, 2008

Everything about Vanemerack’s firing…

By: Lugo | Comments Add Comments

…Has already been said by Daryl here. If anything, I could just add that assistant Bonner Mosquera, whom was on the field as little as 2 years ago, is now the interim of a coach. Not that it wasn’t too hard to guess. My take? It had to be done. Vanemerack was an interesting motivator but [...]


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April 14th, 2008

FPC Roundup: Highlanders seize the day

By: Lugo | Comments 2 Comments

With a questionable (to say the least) 5-0 pounding on Bucaramanga, Independiente Medellin grabbed the #1 spot on the on the standings thanks to the stalemate that the Santa Fe vs. Equidad match turned out to be. So at this point you must be wondering about the “questionable” bit, huh? well, let me tell you: [...]


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April 12th, 2008

Picture of the Day: The yellow-haired guardian

By: Lugo | Comments 1 Comment

Outside of his native Santa Marta’s Eduardo Santos Stadium, the statue of former MLS and Colombian National Team Superstar Carlos Valderrama shines whith its bronze yellow hair. The picture is rather old as the statue was actually washed today, by none other than Valderrama himself on a fireman’s truck. (I wish I had [...]


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April 12th, 2008

Leaders battle Third Placed Team in Local Derby

By: Lugo | Comments 2 Comments

Today Santa Fe faces La Equidad in an emotions-packed duel where The Cardinals cannot afford to run out of steam against Last year’s rookies in the FPC. Alexis Garcia’s men come to this match after a downing defeat in Neiva. Meanwhile The Cardinals’ spirits are high after doing away with Cali in a relaxed fashion. [...]


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Team News

Junior de Barranquilla RSS

Blogger needed

As you may know, the colombian blog is up and running now and it will be fully integrated to the interface within days. I already moved my latest posts over there and Daryl has informed me that this blog will stay open should interest from  any Junior fan arise. So ...

Apr 06, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

A farewell... (Not really)

At the time i'm writing this, Junior is drawing 0-0 against Envigado. Hopefully the sharks can get a good result. In this case, trust me, this away draw would be a good result. But whatever this result is, i have to confess that I've had it with this team. Not ...

Mar 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

Sharks fail at Ambassadors visit

Going to Bogotá has never been an easy task for Junior and yesterday was no exception. Junior lost 3-1 to Millonarios in Bogotá and now this team is bottom last in the standings and a serious candidate for relegation. Hard to believe that a few months ago we were ...

Mar 18, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

The expected consequence...

With a ludicrous twist: The Front Office actually backed Escobar 24 hour before sacking him. I know this is a tropical country, but darn...
Atletico Junior back coach Escobar, then fire him

BOGOTA, March 11 (Reuters) - Atletico Junior, bottom of the Colombian championship, fired coach ...

Mar 12, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

Sorry... We're having technical difficulties. And so is this team.

And my comment got deleted... unbelievabable.

The point is that this blog was down due to problems with my internet conection. But as you can see, it is up and running again.

Feb 27, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

Sharks Start on the right foot (yeah... I know, but is a cool title)

Playing at the Jaime Morón stadium in Cartagena, because the Metropolitano is suspended and the city is in carnival frenzy, Junior had a good season start by getting a home victory against Once Caldas.

At the 23rd minute, right wing Hayder Palacio, who returned to the team after ...

Feb 04, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

An Introduction to Junior

It may seem a little late for this, after 6 posts into the blog but thanks to the feedback that I've been receiving and with the intention of keeping this blog junior-related (at least for now), it's necessary to deliver this background piece about all things Junior, with much ...

Feb 04, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla
Comments (424)
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Is this blog too local??

Due to the lack of comments and feedback I've been getting I am beginning to wonder if a blog on a specific Colombian team in English was indeed a good idea or if it would have been better to write about Colombian soccer in general which could be more appealing ...

Jan 27, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

"Feria del Sol" Wraps up. Spirits are high.

Despute losing 1-0 to Bucaramanga in the final game, The sharks prepare the return to Barranquilla (right in the middle of carnival, god help us...) to get ready for their first match agains Once Caldas in Cartagena. Why in Cartagena? Because the Metropolitano Stadium is suspended because last season some ...

Jan 25, 2008 | Read this article...
Junior de Barranquilla RSS

The Venezuelan Tour: One up, one down and no Gio.

After its inaugural 4-2 loss to Maracaibo and its yesterday 1-0 victory at Trujillanos, Junior continues it's Venezuelan tour heading now to Merida. Coach Sachi Escobar is still assembling the squad and while star signing Giovanni Hernandez has yet to feature even from the bench, Escobar has given the chance ...

Jan 18, 2008 | Read this article...

 

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