Good morning all. It’s the day after a truly crazy Wednesday of soccer news. Starting with Jozy Altidore’s transfer to Villarreal and ending with a flooded MLS match and Argentina’s thrashing of Mexico, yesterday had it all.
Today should be just a bit calmer. You have tonight’s MLS match between the Red Bulls and Chivas USA, which could be Altidore’s home farewell as a Red Bulls player, but other than that things should be pretty slow.
Yesterday’s madness kept me from posting my Euro 2008 Group C preview but I should have that up some time today, with Group D coming tonight and my tournament predictions on Friday.
For now, here is some news to get your day started:
Fluminense reaches Copa Libertadores final
Brazilian club Fluminense knocked off defending champions Boca Juniors in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night. After the teams tied, 2-2, in the first leg, Fluminense capitalized on a pair of ugly Boca mistakes to earn a place in the final against Liga de Quito. The final is set for June 25 and July 2.
Argentina thrashes Mexico
Lionel Messi scored a goal and helped set up two more as Argentina put a 4-1 whooping on Mexico in a friendly in San Diego.
Newly-appointed Mexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson watched from the stands as ‘El Tri’ were ripped to shreds by a dynamic Argentine attack led by the dynamic duo of Messi and Sergio Aguero.
To be fair to Mexico, several key players did not play (Rafael Marquez, Pavel Pardo, Giovani Dos Santos and Guillermo Ochoa) but that still didn’t accound for how easily Argentina shredded a Mexico defense that did still feature regulars Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio and Johnny Magallon.
American fan can take heart in knowing that the U.S. team looked better against Spain than Mexico did against Argentina, but that will only last a short while with Argentina on its way to face the Americans at Giants Stadium on Sunday.
Honduras pummels Puerto Rico
The European-based trio of David Suazo, Julio Leon and Wilson Palacios combined for all four goals as Honduras downed Puerto Rico, 4-0 in World Cup qualifying action in Honduras. While this result isn’t exactly surprising, Mexican fans might want to get a little worried to see Honduras’ top players doing so well ahead of the second-round of World Cup qualifying, which will likely feature Mexico, Honduras and Canada figthting for two spots in the CONCACAF Hexagonal.
Eto’o apologizes for attack
From the "What was he thinking?" department comes word that (for now) Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o apologized for his assault on a Cameroonian journalist. Apparently Eto’o headbutted the journalist after being called illiterate in a clash between players and journalists. I don’t mind saying that if a player tries to headbutt me I’m shooting a double-leg and going to some ground-and-pound.
What do you think of these stories? Share your thoughts below.