BOGOTA.- Four months after the start of North America World Cupwhere Argentina will defend the scepter, Lionel Messi The campaign to repeat the crown of the MLSwhile River Plate hopes to get out of his troubles and Brasileirao will take a break.
Next, the prelude to this week of the four main soccer championships in America:
MLS: A new battle of 10
Two months after winning the first league of the Inter MiamiMessi will return to the charge in the North American championship in a year that looks very special.
Although he has not yet made his participation official in the World Cupfew doubt that the Argentine star will be absent from the Albiceleste campaign to try to achieve his fourth world star.
But first things first, and first things first, this week, is the debut of the reigning MLS champion at the home of Los Angeles FC from south korean Son Heung-Min at the start of the tournament, which will celebrate its first date between Saturday and Sunday.
Messi, 38, suffered a muscle injury during Inter’s recent South American tour, but is expected to accompany his friends Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez at the premiere of a competition that aspires to rub shoulders with the greats.
“We are going to go not only to try to retain the MLS title, but also for the competitions in which we are left there at the door,” said the coach of the pink club, Javier Mascherano.
Another star can make his presentation in the MLS, the Colombian James Rodriguezbrand new signing of Minnesota Unitedwhat a visit to Austin FC.
Argentina: River, for a little peace
After a promising start in the Argentine Apertura, River Plate is going through a complex moment, with three games in a row without winning, including the 4-1 defeat that gave them Tiger in the Monumental.
The numbers have not been with us for a long time. Marcelo Gallardothe most successful coach of the popular club with the crossed red band, with 14 titles. The “Muñeco” has not been able to fulfill his promise of good football either.
His last ten league games, including those from last year, show a performance well below expectations for a Millionaire who has honored his nickname and invested millions of dollars in reinforcements in recent months: six defeats, two draws and two wins.
“Marcelo always demands of us, he wants us to do what was making us strong in the first rounds. It is already the second day that we lose, in River this cannot happen,” said the captain, the Colombian Juanfer Quinterowho called on his teammates to improve their level.
With the water approaching Gallardo’s neck, River will visit the leader of Group A on Sunday, Velez Sarsfieldfor the sixth day of the Apertura, while its eternal rival, Boca Juniorsalso of irregular walking, will receive on Friday racing.
Mexico: Cruz Azul, executioner of Chivas de Milito?
Mexico The question is asked: who can defeat the Chivas del Guadalajarathe Clausura leader with a perfect pace with 18 points in six games?
In ecstasy after defeating 1-0 America On Saturday, in the Aztec football classic, the men of Gabriel Milito They intend to keep the accelerator full when they visit another Mexico City colossus on Saturday, Blue Crosshis first pursuer on the table.
“Now we must be very careful with excessive praise so that it does not confuse us and to maintain the hunger to continue growing,” said the Argentine coach after beating the Eagles.
Although not even winning would reach the first box, the “Machine” that the Argentine trains Nicolás Larcamón hopes to put an end to Chivas’ lightning start and consolidate itself in the Clausura playoff zone, whose seventh day will be played between Friday and Sunday.
Brasileirão: focus elsewhere
The most powerful league on the continent, led by Palmeiraswill resume work on February 25. This week their clubs will focus on the playoffs of the state tournaments and on international participation, such as the first leg of the South American Cup Winners’ Cup between Lanus and Flamengo.
