Thursday, January 30, 2014

Copa Libertadores Qualifying: Universidad de Chile, Lanus Take Series Openers

The opening week of Copa Libertadores group-stage qualifying concluded with two games played on Thursday.

At Santiago, Chile:

Rodrigo Mora scored the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute as Universidad de Chile took the opening game of their series with Club Guarani with a 1-0 home win over the Paraguayan club. The winner of this series will be joined in Group Five by Cruzeiro of Brazil, Defensor Sporting of Uruguay, and Real Garcilaso of Peru.

At Caracas, Venezuela:

Paolo Goltz scored both goals (18', PK-86') as Lanus of Argentina took control of their two-game series with Caracas FC with a 2-0 series-opening road win in the Venezuelan capital.  Cerro Porteno of Paraguay, O'Higgins FC of Argentina, and Colombia's Deportivo Cali, all set for Group Three, await the winner of this series.

Two of the eight groups already have their allotment of four clubs each:

Group Seven:

Club Bolivar (Bolivia)

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Brazil)

Club Sport Emelec (Ecuador)

Club Leon (Mexico)



Group Eight:

Penarol (Uruguay)

Arsenal de Sarandi (Argentina)

Deportivo Anzoategui (Venezuela)

Santos Laguna (Mexico)  


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Copa Libertadores Qualifying: Sporting Cristal, Deportivo Quito Grab Series-Opening Wins

Two more games were played on Wednesday as Copa Libertadores group-stage qualifying continued.

At Lima, Peru:

Irven Avila (29') and Carlos Lobaton (PK-61') each delivered a goal as Sporting Cristal took the opening game of their two-match series with Atletico Paranaense 2-1.  Enderson Alves Ribeiro Silva's penalty kick in the 54th minute kept the visiting  Brazilian club alive in the series.  The series winner will play in Group One alongside Argentina's Velez Sarsfield, Bolivia's The Strongest, and Club Universitario de Deportes from Peru.

At Quito, Ecuador:

Victor Estupinan scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute as Deportivo Quito blanked visiting Botafogo (Brazil) 1-0 in match one of their two-game series.  Union Espanola from Chile, San Lorenzo from Argentina, and Ecuador's Independiente del Valle, all set for Group Two, await the winner of this series.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Copa Libertadores: Morelia, Oriente Petrolero Grab Series Openers In Bids To Reach Group Stage

The qualifying round for group-stage berths in the Copa Libertadores got under way on Tuesday with two games.

At Morelia, Mexico:

Hector Mancilla (26') and Armando Zamorano (65') each scored a goal as Morelia held off visiting Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia) 2-1 in the opening game of a two-game home-and-away series.  The winner of this series would advance to the group stage and join defending continental champions Atletico Mineiro (Brazil), Paraguay's Club Nacional, and Zamora FC of Venezuela in Group Four.

At Santa Cruz, Bolivia:

Gualberto Mojica scored the only goal of the match in the 32nd minute as Oriente Petrolero blanked visiting Club Nacional of Uruguay 1-0 in the opening match of their two-game series.  The winner of this series will join Newell's Old Boys (Argentina), Gremio (Brazil), and Atletico Nacional (Colombia) in Group Six.

Thursday, January 09, 2014

Michael Bradley Toronto Bound

In a press release from Thursday, AS Roma sold the contract of Michael Bradley to Major League Soccer for $10,000,000, making this the highest transfer fee paid to MLS for a player. This will pave the way for the son of the former US Men's National Team coach to sign with Toronto FC, who are the only club to have never qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Sunday, January 05, 2014

Eusebio , Iconic Legend of Portuguese Soccer, R.I.P.

Eusebio, the Mozambican-born striker to carried SL Befica to the European Cup title in 1962, who would be named European Footballer of the Year in 1965, and starred for Portugal in the 1966 World Cup, passed away on Sunday from cardiac arrest at the age of 71.

One of the world's most fearsome attacking talents, with his searing pace and his mazy dribbling proving the scourge of some of the game's best defenders, Eusebio scored 733 goals in 745 professional contests.

At the twilight of his career, Eusebio helped lead Toronto Metros-Croatia to the North American Soccer League title in 1976.

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year from all of us at Ye Soccer Post!