Fútbol Profesional Colombiano » Casual posts http://colombia.theoffside.com News from the Colombian Profesional League Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:01:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 How’s your spanish? Bueno? Then come join me in my new project http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/hows-your-spanish-join-me-in-my-new-project.html http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/hows-your-spanish-join-me-in-my-new-project.html#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:04:52 +0000 Lugo http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/hows-your-spanish-join-me-in-my-new-project.html If you want to have a spanish blog in addition to your Offside english blog like i’m doing, I’m starting a new project which may be of interest to you. E-mail me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll give you all the details.

]]> http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/hows-your-spanish-join-me-in-my-new-project.html/feed 3 South American Euros http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/south-american-euros.html http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/south-american-euros.html#comments Sun, 25 May 2008 04:09:19 +0000 Lugo http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/south-american-euros.html Unasur FlagIn this day of the official birth of the south american union I’ll take the occasion to make the list of (confirmed or potential) representatives of this continent at the Euros, the flaghip tournament of the bloc that the UNASUR wants to model itself after. So far we have…

Croatia: (Mention of Honor) Eduardo “Dudu” Da Silva-BRA. No doubt he would have been on the list for the tournament if it wasn’t for that BUTCHER named Martin Taylor who should be banned from anything resembling a soccer field for the rest of his miserable existance.

France:

Florent Malouda- French Guiana. The Chelsea winger will probably start for les bleus. No matter that the french got a little corner of our continent for themselves, the boy is still a born and maybe raised South American.

Not making it in the squad is Argentinian-born David Trezeguet from Juventus.

Germany

Kevin Kuranyi- BRA and some others: The quick Shalke forward is, according to wiki, born to a German-Hungarian father and a Panamanian mother, but born in the home of the Carnival, Rio de Janeiro.

Italy

Mauro German Camoranesi- ARG. The Argentine is a well-known name for the Azzurri. Already a world cup champion and a lock at serie A outfit Juventus.

Amazingly, this time we’re skipping the Netherlands as no player born in Suriname is into the squad this time (After Seedorf decided to quit) Altough Ryan Babel has Surinamese ancestry.

Poland

Roger Guerreiro- BRA. The newest naturalized player and the source of much controversy. After a few years at Legia Warsaw, he’ll be providing some good support in the midfield.

Portugal

While Anderson de Souza “Deco” is the highest-profile Brazilian player not to play for Brazil, Kleper Ferreira “Pepe” was pretty much out of the radar for the verdeamarelha.

Spain

Marcos Senna- BRA. Is an established midfielder at Villarreal and also traveled to the last world cup with La Roja. Missing from the squad is Argentinian winger Mariano Pernía.

Switzerland

Johan Vonlanthen- COL. So HE IS the reason why this post is in this blog. you got it. Vonlanthen would be a regular with the swiss squad if he was not so injury-prone.

Turkey

Marco Aurélio Brito dos Prazeres “Mehmet Aurelio“- BRA. He had to adopt a turkish name to be able to get citizenship. Now, that’s a stretch…

So next time you’re thinking about saying “The Euro is like a World Cup without Argentina and Brazil”, think again…

]]> http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/south-american-euros.html/feed 4 10 Guys YOU could end up cheering for http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/10-guys-you-could-end-up-cheering-for.html http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/10-guys-you-could-end-up-cheering-for.html#comments Sat, 10 May 2008 01:07:55 +0000 Lugo http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/10-guys-you-could-end-up-cheering-for.html 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.

]]> http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/10-guys-you-could-end-up-cheering-for.html/feed 1 Picture of the Day: The yellow-haired guardian http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/picture-of-the-day-the-yellow-haired-guardian.html http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/picture-of-the-day-the-yellow-haired-guardian.html#comments Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:27:48 +0000 Lugo http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/picture-of-the-day-the-yellow-haired-guardian.html

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 that picture, but I saw it in the news)

]]> http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/picture-of-the-day-the-yellow-haired-guardian.html/feed 1 Colombian Guide to Nicknames (III) http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/colombian-guide-to-nicknames-iii.html http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/colombian-guide-to-nicknames-iii.html#comments Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:46:48 +0000 Lugo http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/colombian-guide-to-nicknames-iii.html Did you think I forgot about this? No way. It’s just that I finally have some time to complete it. So here’s what you’ve been waiting for.

Envigado F.C.

Known as “Los Naranjas” they were the first team ever to be promoted from the second division. Orange is the color of their kits but I have the feeling that “The Oranges” just won’t work. So I went with “The Acids”. Waddaya thing?

Seguros La Equidad:

I’ve been using “Insurance Sellers” because I got positive feedback on it. But I suggested “The Peacemakers”. I cannot explain the relation but it just sounded Ok on me. But I think i’m getting used to this Insurance business…

Independiente Medellin:

“El poderoso de la montaña” has been the traditional nickname for this team,which in English translates “The powerful one from the mountain”. Does that make any sense? Not to me, since “la montaña” is a reference to Medellin, which isn’t the highest placed major city in the country, that being Bogotá. So I came up with “The Highlanders” which sounds way better than “The Powerful Ones”.

Millonarios:

This was the best team in the world (i’m being serious) in the 50’s when it featured such glories as Madrid idol Alfredo Di Stefano and Adolfo Pedernera. And since it traveled worldwide playing friendlies and competitions, it came to be known as The Ambassadors. It’s other nickname, also because of that era, is “El Ballet Azul”, but in order to avoid mental images of footballers wearing tu-tus, i’m sticking with Ambassadors.

Once Caldas:

Playing in an All-white uniform, in spanish they are known as “El Blanco Blanco” wich has a nice ring to it. But in English plain repetition doesn’t make much sense. So i’m borrowing New Zealand’s NT Nickname. I hope the kiwis don’t get mad.

Independiente Santa Fe

The first team to be crowned champions in Colombian football, has always been known as The Cardinals. And they have the red color to prove it. That red kit, nevertheless, was inspired in none other than Arsenal, a.k.s. The Gunners.

]]> http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/colombian-guide-to-nicknames-iii.html/feed 1 In Colombia, Cup upsets are no big deal http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/in-colombia-cup-upsets-are-no-big-deal.html http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/in-colombia-cup-upsets-are-no-big-deal.html#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:12:11 +0000 Lugo http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/in-colombia-cup-upsets-are-no-big-deal.html The novelty of this season is the Copa Colombia: our very own, tropically-mixed version of the Euro cup competitions such as the Copa del Rey or the FA Cup thus featuring teams of the two professional divisions of the Colombian game. And alike its european counterparts, on the first round of the Copa Colombia the first division teams are playing with their 2nd or 3rd string sides. And guess what, some of them are losing to second division teams. Millonarios got stopped in its tracks by a much healthy Academia on the first matchday, Deportes Tolima was embarrased by the surprising Girardot F.C. also in the opening game and  in the second matchday, Rionegro shocked its bigger cousin Medellin while heroic Girardot upsed Huila this time and America was ridiculed by Cortulua, a former 1st division side.

But after all these upsets we have seen no alarming press headlines, no sacked coaches and nothing else more than two or three moans here and there by disappointing fans.

This is in parte because no one has been eliminated yet. Unlike the Euro cup competitions, we won’t have direct elimination until the second round, after we finish a group stage of 6 groups of 6, distributed along regional criteria. Also, keep in mind that this is a new competition so quite frankly, no one gives a toss about it yet. Emphasis on “yet” since it will be on it’s final stages probably including teams that have been eliminated from the FPC final stage and awards a spot to the Sudamericana spot. So I expect the Copa Colombia to have a lot more relevancy trough the seasons, after many have tested the shame defeat, and some have tested the delight of glory.

]]> http://colombia.theoffside.com/casual-posts/in-colombia-cup-upsets-are-no-big-deal.html/feed 2 Rest of the World, meet the U-20 rule. http://colombia.theoffside.com/team-news/rest-of-the-world-meet-the-u-20-rule.html http://colombia.theoffside.com/team-news/rest-of-the-world-meet-the-u-20-rule.html#comments Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:53:49 +0000 Lugo http://colombia.theoffside.com/team-news/rest-of-the-world-meet-the-u-20-rule.html Colombia has an almost unique rule (”almost”, because the Mexicans have already copied it) for it’s league which mandates that every team has to start with a national player born after 1988 and that another one has to be on the bench to increase the number of substitutes to 5. To some this may sound like an imposition on coaches but this rule has had tremendous impact on the Colombian youth NT’s allowing us to qualify to the last youth world cup in Canada and to win the South American Youth Championships three years ago when we hosted it. Thanks to the U-20 rule, we have benefited with the talents of:

  • Hugo Rodallega (Necaxa- MEX)
  • Freddy Guarin (St. Etienne- FRA)
  • Wason Renteria (Strasbourg- FRA)
  • Juan Carlos Toja (FC Dallas- USA)
  • Edwin Valencia (Paranaense- BRA)
  • Cristian Zapata (Udinese- ITA)
  • Juan Pablo Pino (Charleroi- BEL)
  • Carlos Daniel Hidalgo (Sporting Gijon- ESP)
  • Dayro Moreno (Dinamo Bucarest- ROM)

And many others in the FPC. There is also an U-17 rule for the 2nd division. Perhaps if you have such strong youth systems as Argentina, Brazil or the Netherlands, a rule such as this one is unnecessary as youths spring right on to the top flight because of the high export rate and the great amounts of raw talent. But in many other countries, like it was in Colombia before this tule, the leagues are overrrun by veterans and you see that the players from the youth NTs are not necessarily coming from professional teams. So, what do you think about this? Would you like your league to adopt this rule?

In a future entry, I will elaborate about the talents that this rule is producing today in Colombia because one of this days, one of them might end at a stadium near you.

Today’s Games.

League leaders La Equidad could not get anything out of their visit to Atletico Huila. The Ricemen won 1-0 in a bad afternoon for Equidad’s stellar forwards. And at the time i’m posting this, Santa Fe is breezing trough Cali thanks to goals from Venezuelan starlet Luis Manuel Seijas and Luis Fernando Mosquera, a product of the U-20 rule.

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