Bienvenidos a la Fiesta Blanca !!!!

 Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho have finally aligned with plans and plots of World Supremacy in mind. The style of staunch tactical perfectionist like Mourinho's has long been overdue. The sour taste of not lifting big cups has made the merengue faithful impatient and the flashes of the Redondo's and Zidane's have since faded into a decades old memory. The new era of Madrid began early this summer when the "The Special One," shouted from Milan to Madrid that he was unhappy and not in love with calcio italiano. Even the chance to defend his Italian treble couldn't impede this dream marriage, I have the feeling that this was in works late in the Serie A season. Before Mourinho even signed the contract papers he had a list of demands and players in mind or else he wouldn't have come and as soon as President Perez got word, Canales and Di Maria were picked up and and some more shopping has since continued with Pedro Leon and Sam Khedira being the latest. Madrid have never really been known as having an amazingly tight defence,for the more than a decade Real's best defender has been Spain's captain and most probable Madrid new captain, Iker Casillas. Look for Mourinho to sign another central defender that will be much needed deep into cup competitions. The most exciting possibility is how Jose is capable of extracting greatness out of average players not to mention those world class players like Higuain, Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. If there are still any doubters of La Liga not being the best league in the world  then this season alone is reason enough to prove you wrong. More than a few members of any national team represented in this years edition of The World Cup, who made it to the quarter finals is playing in La Liga, with the exception to some European countries. When the hundreds of millions watch this years Super Clasico's it will be anticipated as a Matrix style shoot out. And if the images of shoots on gol moving like SKUD missiles and blowing out the back of the net like canons then the drama between Madrid and Barsa will fuel your fire, Mourinho, who knows the Barcelona system and philosophy intimately will use this knowledge to make the cule's crumble. Real Mourinho or Mourinho Madrid has marked the second occasion that a Portuguese national has defected from Barsa, Luis Figo was deemed Judas for his move and when Mourinho joined, and the Barsa directors were not hesitant and bid him well by publicly saying that they hope Mourinho steers them to Second Division Futbol. La Liga is full of talent in the fields and in the coaching boxes, every point will be hard earned this season, there aren't many minnow teams in Spain and even if one might look small on paper, national pride will motivate them just enough.

Do I have any predictions for this season? No, I don't have any to confess of but, I think the make-up of Mourinho will make the big names of individual talent attack and defend in white tidal waves all over the field. Mourinho is the best coach since Del Bosque to lead the campaign and his work rate will be on display a season long, be weary Barsa the Blancos are back.

chau angeles del madrid

Real's first born and black sheep say goodbye this week, Jose Maria Gutierrez Hernandez, simply known as "Guti," and the Real's golden child Raul Gonzalez Blanco are leaving the true giant of Europe, Real Madrid. Both have a combined fifty years of duty wearing the famous white kit, winning everything that was placed in front of them, La Liga tittles, Spanish Super Cups, Intercontinental Cups and of course the prestigious Champions League Cup.

Guti; what can you say about the brash number "14" that had so many highs and lows during his tenure with the merengues? being apart of the youth development program as a youngster he fought his way to the first team showing elegqnce qnd pure genius as a creative midfielder. As a socio of Madrid I always found myself in the midst of a lo e - hate relationship with him, always knowing that he had the class and technique to become a true legend, he was many times shadowed by the likes of the Luis Fifo's and Zidane' of the footbalp world and really only came to shine late in his career as an all white but, like all fine wines, his aging process released the aromas and complexities of his genius. That magic left foot gave us some of the best footballing memories. Guti will be sorely
missed. To sum up a career that started at the age of 15 is hard to do, so many flashes of the streaking blonde mad
man has forever been eched in my mind and heart. ¡Mucha Suerte! Estas con nosotros hasta siempre...

What a cup we are witnessing, the sketchy J'abulani has never looked so good in these new-classic matches that Uruguay, Holland, Spain and Germany have provided. Being a fan of futbol first makes these matches very enjoyable to watch. Uruguay's raw talents and fortune got them to the semi's in heroic fashion but, this should come to no surprise to us. Yes, they were the last to qualify from conmebol and had to have a playoff with Cost Rica to qualify for the copa but, this is what gave them the team confidence and the "high pressure" match experience that is needed for this intense global prize. They would never back down and always stuck around, showing their identity throughout the entire match, and when you thought they had no more, they scored knowng that if time really existed they would have put another one in to kill off the game in extra time, and they probably would have to. The last place team in South America is know considered to be top four in the WORLD, wow.. vaya. 

I said after the Argentina match that Germany never saw a lethal team on their best day, and its true, I also new that they had peaked as well, I think the same thing about Holland too. Tactically no one is superior than Spain, Del Bosque the mustache that boasts two Champions League titles with Real Madrid and knows each and everyone of is players inside out. Masia, is the youth academy of F.C. Barcelona, and the reason why the Spanish are playing this immaculate futbol. The majestic elfs Xavi and Iniesta are testament to how much the Spanish fubol has evolved, once considered a national disgrace La Furia Roja is set a blaze with this generation of footballers and I firmly believe that they will dismantle the Dutch. Ajax v. Masia and Iker Casillas, Sunday will become one of those classic matches, two great nations never to win the copa, Spain is in the final for the first time, and the Dutch are the best team never to touch glory, everything is set up to be a fairytale ending, vamos Espana...

the anti-futbol

"But referee,Sir, if the entire ball goes over the line, it's a gol. Isn't it? Phantom gols, fouls and offsides have been the hot topic of debate as of late and all of their consequences fatal. The FIFA head Sepp Blatter, should have put more thought to into this leading up to the tournament, does TiTi's gol not scream for attention. In the Europa League, there are a fifth and sixth assistant behind the gol line aiding the flagsmen, this would have been an ideal solution to the problem. It would have not stalled the match, each would have radio's for rapid communication. I'm not found at all of video technology, for me it slows the game down, and would distract in a high intensity game like a copa match. As for this guys to my left, I think there should be fines, and suspensions from the international scene. It's only fair that such criminal acts should be justified.

seeing old foes and making new enemies

Other than the recent fade of complaining about the new advanced technology of the J'abulani and the criminal element of the refereeing, this edition of the 2010 version has bore four delectable games for the futbol mad palette.

Uruguay v. Ghana; Both Uruguay and Ghana have played well to find their way to the last eight, Uruguay's journey started off well (enough) with a scoreless draw with a minnow of a team in France. Eternal problems caused for the French to play lat and Uruguay politely took a point home. A 3-0 stroll through hosts, S. Africa gave them them the momentum to beat Mexico by a single gol to put them through the first knock out round. Relying on the legs and mental toughness of forward Diego Forlan, and a stingy midfield the "Celeste," continued their form by beating a very worthy opponent in S. Korea. For me this will always be a classic match because of the contrast of footballing philosophies. Speed versus "gambeta." Ghana will show them some of the same, and being the last African Nation in the tournament, I'm sure they will put up a fight rather than fizzle out. Surprised that Ghana is here? Especially without Michael Essien, the hard as a rock Chelsea man who also delivers gols. Maybe we should be surprised, or maybe their group was  bit easier, Serbia played well beating Germany to bounce back from the Ghanaian defeat. In 2006 edition they where Serbia & Montenegro and in '98 they were Yugoslavia, so they played well considering their chances weren't all in their favor. And Germany, well let's face it, they're as fortunate as Ghana to be in the quarter-finals. The game against the U.S. was their stiffest competition, and they went through on two lapses by the U.S. defence. They yet to face a traditional powerhouse on a good day. I expect this match to be wide open play near the first half hour.

Brasil v. Holland; This is going to be a spectacular match for the neutral, one would hope to see a lot of trickery on and off the ball, with loads of pace being set for ninety minutes plus. Both Brasil and Holland have mirrored each other in this tournament, being apart of two decent groups neither of them have really exploded on the scene as we all would have expected to seen from them. Their last matches between Slovakia and Chile respectively were nothing short of warm up tests for the two mundial veterans. Chile lost their way and Slovakia never found it, well until it was too late. This will be the first time either of the two (Brasil or Holland), will have any competition in this tournament. Some counties like Portugal and Cote d'ivoire, never really showed up for the grand ball, playing flat and stagnate and never catching up to the speed of the tournament.

Paraguy v. Espana; Well Spain is another example for a "sleeping giant," they were on the other end of the win coumn in their opening match with Switzerland.  But,bounced back to take away full points from Honduras and Chile to secure the group.  Portugal seemed as if their strategy never saw the day of light and just rolled over.  One thing that really upset me about Portugal was the lack of intesity and team morale.  Captan Cristiano scowled at teamates if mistakes were made and Pepe never seemed to be too bothere by dropping out of the biggest tournament in the world, smiling and laughing as he hugged his Real mates goodbye.  Paraguay, in contrast have had a fairytale tourney, with only five points to win their group, it was more than enough to convince them that the impossible was within reach.  To draw against the holders was essential to the belief of reaching the knockout rounds, and then they got there, they never withered and patientl playe out Japan and scored a perfect five out of five penalties to advance against Spain.

Argentina v. Germany; The German squad found their way to the quarters through winning an easy goup, contained with minnow Australia, Serbia and second place Ghana.  Germany is also suffering from displaying lack luste futbol, England was the only exception but, to be fair, England never really planted their feet deep in the African soil.  Argentina will cause all sorts of problems for the German midfield and defense.  You can be sure that Maradona is hyping up the likes of "Pipa, and the Pulga," to exact revenge from Italia '90, where he feltthat the cup was robbed from him and the rest of the squad.  Argentina have been a terror, and have yet reached fifth gear.  The only thing lacking from Maradona's brilliant start is a gol from magnificently magical Messi.  Truly one of the few team to shine game in and game out.  This match up is a true classic and will be a feast for the eye.

"no importa k cancha juguemos,
a la Argentina la sigo donde va
vamos Argentina vamos a ganar
vamos Argentina cada ves te quiero mas."

in search of gold

Only sixteen teams left.. make that fifteen teams now, S. Korea's reign was washed away by a Suarez double. This is the business end of the tournament, which means, there are no more second chances or room for errors. And with the quality and deserved teams left in this next round, we as fans, fanatics and the down right obsessed, we are definitely in for a treat. It will, at times, feel like two street wise people playing speed chess in the park. I look forward to see the South Americans dance and caress the ball, while tying to deny European tactics. And to see the only African team fight tooth and nail to reach the next round, the U.S. still looks the part, and with a little faith and luck, anything is possible.

copa commentary 2010 (return flights home)

Group A finished and eliminated were hosts S. Africa and France. I feel that coach Alberto Parreira

prepared extremely well and was unfortunate to have missed out on gol differential. Although it seemed like anyone could have beaten France this year, S. Africa played surprisingly quality futbol, for what they lacked in individual technique, they certainly made up for it playing near perfect tactical futbol. It isn't always that we see in such an intense tournament that "world class," style of futbol that is truely beautiful to watch but, more times than not the Bafana Bafana looked the part.

«UNE STUPIDITÉ SANS NOM»   UN ONZE POUR LA RÉCONCILIATION   «Ridicules jusqu'au bout» .... the disgusting taste of the copa will turn rancid on the palette of all french fut followers fr the next four years. What do you say about a team, who on paper, would have Vegas placing them as odds on favorites to win the tournament, at the very least, advance out of the group phase.  A multi, multimillion dollar team with two world-class players for every position, the spectrum of quality ranging from the elegant warriors like Gourcuff who lead unsung Bordeaux deep into The Champions League to Ribery, the man every top club in the world wants on their team. Is this the only possible punishment for the crime of robbing Ireland it's qualification? Will karma get the best of them for years to come? Only time can unveil these questions, as will it unveil whether or not there was a traitor in their camp, or why Domenech wouldn't or couldn't reason with his players. Many thousands of opinions and rumors are an will circulate for years to come.  But, plain and simple France look impotent in all aspects and areas of the field.

au vieux monsieur TiTi... it's sad to see such a top class footballer and human being play his last game, (probably), in a world cup final. As a young twenty something he was introduced to the international scene as a true star, scoring important goals or creating plays on the way to winning the '98 Copa, it's too bad and a real shame that TiTi and France couldn't shed light on the shadow cast by Zizou's worst cabezazo ever.

One good thing I think will come from the good showing by S. Africa is that some noteworthy players made strong cases and added to their individual stock for big Europeans clubs to start bidding on them for the next season to come.

lil' fut academy

campeones! champions! ole.. ole... ole!!

This photo was taken in an orphanage that Sona and I frequent in Tijuana, Mexico. After a long day of helping around the cottage, it was time to play some futbol. Any chance that we get, we like to help out when needed. I always visit the children with gifts and free lessons in hopes that some of the children can go on to academies in their local towns and prove themselves or at the very least stay close to the game while earning wages once they leave.

lil' fut academy (have ball will travel... and teach)

How did I even see that?

If you have been playing futbol for as long as I have, it shouldn't come to any surprise that futbol found me. This picture was taken when me and my wife Sona ascended up Machu Pichu to Wanu Pichu in Peru, December 2008.

lil fut academy (el enano gigante!)

lil' giant: Lionel Messi

This photo was taken June 2009, I was fortunate enough to be invited on set as "Leo," was shooting a commercial for ESPN. Without hesitation as the director yells, "thats a wrap!," I sprung up out of a chair to introduce myself and to adorn the king with gifts of red wine and literature, not to mention, an invitation to my wedding.