Mexico Legend Sanchez Takes Swipes at Lavolpe
Legendary Mexican forward Hugo Sanchez, never one to shy away from offering an opinion, recently had promised to keep quiet about national team Coach Ricardo Lavolpe and the direction of the team.
Sanchez, who also has made it no secret that he hopes to become Mexico’s coach one day, apparently couldn’t keep from holding back any longer.
“I hear talk about how it’s a process, a process,” Sanchez, who coaches Pumas in the Mexican league, told reporters this week. “But the reality is that I compare this process to a marriage, and I’m convinced that this process, like a bad marriage, will end in divorce.”
Since Lavolpe, of Argentina, took over last October, Mexico is 2-2-4.
On Sunday, before Mexico scored its goal in a 1-0 victory over Brazil in a CONCACAF Gold Cup game at Mexico City, fans at Azteca Stadium were heard chanting, “Hugo, Hugo,” in an attempt to send soccer federation officials a message.
Meanwhile, with Mexico set to play Honduras in a Group A Gold Cup game tonight at Mexico City, players came to Lavolpe’s defense.
“It’s sad to hear him make these statements and I suggest he put aside his differences with Lavolpe and support the Mexican team,” midfielder Pavel Pardo said of Sanchez.
Mexico defender Rafael Marquez said Sanchez should “think before he speaks, because it’s just not right” what he said.
Mexico needs only a draw tonight to finish as the top team in its group.
*
U.S. Is No. 1
FIFA’s first world rankings for women were released Wednesday and the United States, not surprisingly, was listed No. 1.
The U.S., winner of the World Cup in 1991 and 1999 and Olympic gold medalist in 1996, will be one of the top four seeds when the draw for this fall’s Women’s World Cup is held today at the Home Depot Center.
After the U.S., the next three teams are Norway, Germany and China, meaning none of those countries would play each other until at least the quarterfinals.
Rounding out the top 10 are: Sweden, Brazil, North Korea, Denmark, France and Italy. Denmark and Italy did not qualify for the World Cup.
Canada is ranked 12th and the lowest-ranked team in the field is Ghana at No. 53.
*
Gold Cup
Walter Centeno scored late in the first half and Costa Rica got goals in the 72nd and 76th minutes to put away Cuba, 3-0, in a Group D CONCACAF Gold Cup game at Foxboro, Mass.
Cuba still advances to the quarterfinals and will play the United States on Saturday at Foxboro.
Costa Rica, the group winner, will play El Salvador in the second Foxboro quarterfinal Saturday. El Salvador finished second in Group C after a 1-0 victory over Martinique at Foxboro on Wednesday.
*
Chelsea Strikes Again
Persistent English club Chelsea finally reached agreement with Blackburn on a transfer fee for Ireland winger Damien Duff.
Blackburn had rejected three bids for Duff in previous weeks, reportedly between $21.1 million and $24.4 million.
Duff has a clause in his contract that allows him to speak to clubs that bid $27.3 million or more.
Chelsea said on its Web site that it needs only to work out contract terms with Duff.
*
Ronaldinho Waits
Barcelona apparently has pulled out of what is fast becoming a bidding war for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ronaldinho, leaving Manchester United as the front-runner for the Brazilian playmaker.
Ronaldinho has said he prefers Manchester United and the English champion seems to share a similar sentiment for him after reportedly increasing its offer for the 23-year-old to $33.5 million.
“This is getting to be an auction and we will not get involved in that,” Barcelona President Joan Laporta said. “We will only reopen the case if Ronaldinho really wants to come to Barcelona.”
*
Aguinaga to Cruz Azul
Ecuadorean midfielder Alex Aguinaga, who spent the last 14 years with Necaxa of the Mexican league, has agreed to a six-month contract with rival Cruz Azul.
“In December, Cruz Azul will analyze whether we continue the relationship for longer,” said Aguinaga, 34.
Necaxa, incidentally, on Tuesday moved its operation base northwest from Mexico City to Aguascalientes in an effort to attract more fans.
*
Quick Passes
Dutch international striker Patrick Kluivert has decided to stay at FC Barcelona after he agreed not to exercise a buyout clause and instead signed a two-year contract, the Spanish club’s Web site said.... Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira hasn’t signed a new deal, but Coach Arsene Wenger said the player would be staying with the club. “Our players are definitely not for sale,” Wenger said. “The situation at the moment is that Patrick has not signed, but I am confident that he will.” ... Brazilian midfielder Kleberson will sign with Manchester United after a $15-million transfer fee, a spokesman for his Brazilian club, Atletico Paranaense, said.
