Bits of Tid, July 2008

By: Scott | July 13th, 2008

LAST MATCH

Ah, the sweet beginnings of winter have finally passed and the last match is nothing but a memory…and a very happy one at that. The scrappy bunch came back from a one goal deficit by virtue of two goals from now-hero Alejandro Delorte to vanquish Rosario Central 2-1, thereby guaranteeing entry in this year’s version of Copa Sudamericana. Let me take this space to officially offer some form of apology to Sr. Delorte for my harsh words. After the team had given up an early goal and needed two goals to make that step forward by qualifying for the international tournament, Big Al did what was necessary to guarantee victory. Congrats, big man…and thanks for the moment. Though some could argue that if he had performed at a higher level throughout the campaign, those heroics wouldn’t have been necessary…

DEPARTURES

On the subject of the monstrosity of mediocrity, he will not make any further appearances for the club (unless they sign him back in the future…oh God, did I just jinx that?) as he and Roberto Battión will be suiting up for Aris Salonika in Greece. Yep, one team signed those two mediocre players…methinks that the agents put the highlights from the Boca match on loop and convinced them that these two are mad crazy goal scorers.

Oh yeah, Nicolas Gianni and his beautiful soccer hair that topped the head of a guy who is just too slow now is on loan at the Universidad de Chile. No one else of importance has left. That is a good thing.

Alvaro Pereira’s departure to CFR Cluj in Romania is the biggest news. He is one of the players who has busted his ass to get better over the past year and who has a pretty high ceiling in his development. Cluj won the Romanian title and thus qualified for the Champion’s League, so our export will jump straight into the fire. One important note is that they have decided to play him as a defender instead of his customary left midfield position. I will do my part in periodically updating his progress.

RETURNS (NO REFUND)

Franco Niell and Matías Córdoba have been returned to sender earlier than planned by the clubs, DC United and Real Salt Lake, respectively, who had taken them on loan in the MLS. Neither one had a real place on the team before, aside from “rarely used substitute” or “guy who really pushes the first team hard”, so it’s no real disappointment that they are back. They still don’t have a place, however. I suppose Córdoba can spell one of the guys in the middle should the need arise.

NEWCOMERS

Rodrigo “Rengo” Díaz, Juan Fernández (midfielders), Mariano Martínez, Nicolas Pavlovich (strikers), and Pablo Hernández (defender) are the newest members of the club. I don’t know much about them other than what I read, which includes the fact that Diaz and Pavlovich will most likely be slotted into starting positions as soon as the season opens. I will surely be in here with opinions when there are actually matches to be played. The offseason is such a pain to survive.

Speaking of which, August 6 will see the boys return to the field in the first round of the Sudamericana at home against San Lorenzo.