Moving on, Leandro Augusto finally made his anticipated debut with the Mexican National team. Leaving all the controversy behind he had a relatively decent game. He will forever be remembered as the player who commited the foul that cost Mexico the Honduras goal by those many that are against having naturalized players in the national team, but the Puma’s icon mix of defensive and offensive creativity will surely improve in the Mexican National team with time.

Now for a preview of Sunday’s game in CU against Pachuca:
Pumas: After losing their undefeated against Monarcas Morelia, Pumas will like to return to their home with a win. Cacho will have mixed feelings facing his old teammates for the first time. Perfect time to score his first goal amongst the Pumas fans. Tuca Ferreti is back and only has to deal with one more injury which is that of Jehu Chiapas which is doubtful. There is nothing more or les expected from Pumas but a win.

Pachuca: Pachuca is yet to win a game this tournament. They have suffered from Bruno Marioni’s injury and lack of players up front with the various transfers of players coming out of Pachuca. One thing for sure is that history is on their side since Pumas hasn’t beat Pachuca in CU in 10 years.

One to watch: Víctor Mañón the 16 yr old is most likely to make another start for Pachuca. The youngster didn’t show much against America besides missing a clear opportunity that could have put them in front in the score. Nonetheless Enrique Meza must have a reason for putting the 16 yr old as a starter making him the one to watch in Sunday’s game.

It was a tight game with both teams being firm in the back. It would only take a touch of magic to brake the deadlock and that is exactly what happened. In injury time Landin, who had just come in as a sub, crossed the ball landing in the feet of Hernández who controled the ball in the box excelently putting the ball inside the net.

Cacho was eager to score his first goal as a Puma, only being denied by Muñoz and hitting the crossbar in the first half. Dante Lopez played a very physical game but the opportunities wouldnt open up. “Tuca” Ferreti saw on from the stadium as he was serving a one game ban from the last game.

The second half must have been the most boring in the whole tournament. Some dub Morelia as the most boring team in all of Mexico. Pumas kept playing the long ball and it looked like the draw was eminent. Luis Fernando Tena made the changes and that was the difference, but being a Pumas fan there were 3 things that bothered me after yesterdays loss.

1. If we would have won, we would have been first place in the famous group 2 with the likes of America, Chivas, and Cruz Azul

2. Morelia is in the same group as us and despite playing the most unattractive play in all of Mexico they have the same number of points as us now and with this win is now battling it out for the top places in the group

3. Tecos is leading the way in our group now…. enough said.

I dont know about you guys but after Sunday’s loss i am about to go see that amazing Leandro goal once again to cheer me up , which by the way i uploaded. Or Sven with a sombrero and a piñata, maybe that can put a smile in my face.

Marvel at the beauty.

Sure it was a penalty, but a win is a win.

The Panamenian, Baloy, committed the foul in the area. So Pumas with a positive result, giving some hope to the team. Now we just need to see some good performances from the new foreigners and from Cacho.

Since he was a free agent, Colon de Santa Fe doesnt get any money for his “transfer” to Pumas, which left the Argentines very upset. They are hoping that Bravo realizes his mistake and returns to the team. He is scheduled to arrive at Pumas today. Apparently this has also happened with other players, like Oscar Ahumada. It is messed up, but maybe the Argenitnes need to fix something.

In the eyes of FIFA it is a legal transaction by a non-contracted player.

Dante says he has spoken with Veron about Pumas and how it is a very good place to be and that Mexico is a nice place to live.

Dante is excited to live up to the level of play that the current Paraguayans are demonstrating, especially fellow forward Salvador Cabañas.

Dante is a player who is very mobile, likes to have the ball and run the wings. Hopefully he can add some spark to the team. For a minute there I thought it was going to look bad for Pumas this season. It still may but at least 1 more addition was made.

He will undergo Surgery on Saturday in the Hospital Metropolitano in the DF. This will require him to be out for 6 months.

Tuca was looking at possible help from the lower division Pumas teams, but said no one impressed. This coming from a team that wants to be “ALL Mexican”? Seams like you would need a better youth system to undertake that task.

So Tuca and company will search for a foreign player to help the team. Things are definitely not looking good for Pumas. Losing 2 good players in Scolari and Scocco, and only getting Cacho. Then losing Barrera. What next, fight for relegation?

Paco Palencia says that losing Scocco and Scolari was a loss, but with the arrival of Cacho and a very skilled ‘cantera’ he is confident they will put the organization in good light.

Here is a list of the players that made the trip to Cancun.

Jugadores: Sergio Bernal, Odín Patiño, Alejandro Palacios, Carlos Humberto González, Marco Antonio Palacios, Juan Carlos Cacho, Fernando Morales, Efraín Juárez, Jehu Chiapas, David Izazola, Eduardo Barrón, Israel Castro, Ismael Íñiguez, Pablo Barrera, Efraín Velarde, Leandro Augusto, Juan Francisco Palencia, Érick Vera, Eduardo Gámez, Leonardo García, Alejandro Larenas, Eduardo Herrera, Luis Rosas, Alfonso Luna, Óscar Rojas y Fernando Espinosa. Con posterioridad se incorporarán al grupo Darío Verón (seleccionado de Paraguay) y David Cabrera (seleccionado mexicano sub-20).

1st one relating to Pumas is Juan Carlos Cacho. A pretty good forward, with heading capabilities, some National Team qualities. He has been called various times to the Mexican National Team, and helped Pachuca to many titles. He is not the greatest talent in the world but should be a solid guy up front.

Tune into the draft for more transfers.

http://www.mediotiempo.com/draft/

First-Leg (26-28 August 2008)
Harbour View (Jamaica) vs Pumas (México)

Second-Leg (2-4 September 2008)
Pumas (México) vs Harbour View (Jamaica)

A bunch of unknown teams, such as Joe Public FC, (what a name!) and Puerto Rico Islanders and Tauro (whats your sign?). This should be interesting. I saw an interview with Pumas goalkeeper Sergio Bernal and he said that Pumas will go all out as in every tournament. That Pumas is glad to be in any international tournament, because it is good for Mexican futbol and in their development. Sure, maybe for the youngsters, but why risk injury to key players against teams such as Joe Public FC? Are these really competitive teams? Or are we going to see blow outs like 8-0 or even double digits? If so, this tourney may turn out to be a joke.

Either way, Ill be watching.