Pumas Mexicans need only apply?
By: Albert |
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It is said to be a medium to long range goal to have Pumas be a Mexican only team, just like Chivas. Pumas currently have only 3 foreigners and 2 nationalized players, so it may not be too hard to do. Their goal is to bring back the essence of the University and use youth players brought up from their lower division teams. Bringing up the youth players would eventually take the place of current foreigners as their contracts end.
Also is mentioned the proposal of lowering the regulation on foreigners to 3 on the field per team at a time instead of 5. This sounds like a good idea, but we have to admit that foreigners do play a big role in Futbol Mexicano. Take Cabañas for instance and his impact with America.
Category: Pumas Team News
Ferretti talks about not helping out Club America
By: Albert | Add Comments
It is known by now that Club America is taking no player from the League as help for the Libertadores. Ferretti talks about how maybe teams didn’t want to loan a player because of rivalry issues but also because of the fact that many are still in the middle of fighting for entrance into the Liguilla.
I doubt all the teams are like Jorge Vergara and want America to do horribly in Copa Libertadores.
As far as Pumas is concerned, it was rumored that Veron would be a possible candidate to go help the Aguilas in the Libertadores, but that would leave an essential defensive option out for the game vs. Pachuca.
Sorry America, your on your own, but no one wishes you failure. Well, no one except Jorge Vergara.
Category: Pumas Team NewsPumas to the Liguilla tournament?
By: Albert | 1 Comment
I guess I spoke to soon. In a previous post I mentioned that Pumas’ hopes to make Liguilla were gone. They still have a chance if they win this weekend vs Pachuca and Atlas or Puebla lose.
Atlas plays Cruz Azul and Puebla plays Atlante. I see more possibilities of Cruz Azul taking out Atlas. Cruz Azul has been solid as of late, but Puebla was pretty shaky in their last game, losing 4-0 to Chivas.
It all depends on Pumas though, they must beat Pachuca. A team who is involved in a duel with Saprissa in the CONCACAF cup.
This is the way the standings currently look:
GROUP 1
Toluca: 7-6-3 (22/17, +5) 27
Jaguares: 7-4-5 (21/17, +4) 25
Pachuca: 6-3-7 (27/25, +2) 21
Puebla: 5-5-6 (26/23, +3) 20
Pumas: 5-4-7 (21/26, -5) 19
Tecos: 4-4-8 (17/29, -12) 16
GROUP 2
Santos: 7-7-2 (32/18, +14) 28
Monterrey: 6-6-4 (27/21, +6) 24
Atlas: 5-5-6 (19/24, -5) 20
Atlante: 3-7-6 (22/28, -6) 16
Veracruz: 4-4-8 (22/29, -7) 16
América: 2-2-12 (11/27, -16) 8
GROUP 3
Chivas: 9-5-2 (30/12, +18) 32
Cruz Azul: 9-4-3 (27/15, +12) 31
San Luis: 8-6-2 (24/19, +5) 30
Necaxa: 5-9-2 (18/11, +7) 24
Tigres: 4-4-8 (18/28, -10) 16
Monarcas: 4-3-9 (9/24, -15) 15
Category: Pumas Team NewsPumas sends Veracruz to Primera A
By: Albert | Add Comments
I guess this is a small accomplishment. Finally a win for Pumas. After not qualifying for the Liguilla last week, atleast the Pumas from UNAM sent the Tiburones Rojos from Veracruz to the 2nd division of the Mexican League. During the 2-4 win in the Pirata Fuentes stadium in Veracruz, the red sharks were fighting for their existence in the first division of the Mexican League. Pumas ruined those dreams for the players and for the fans. I felt sad as some of the fans, holding back tears, still cheered for their team after the loss. Also, one of the defensive players was crying during an interview after the game as well.
Miguel Herrera, coach for Veracruz, said that this is not the team that he thought it was. Although he didn’t blame the players directly, when he was asked, his words did indicate that some players didn’t give their all. They didn’t defend their house with their life. He also stated that he is not sure if he will coach the team in Primera A, as discussions with the upper office will have to take place before that decision is made. I really think he will bail. We will probably see him as an assistant for Lavolpe, serving him Gatorade and buying him cigarettes.
Well, I have talked more Veracruz than Pumas in this post, but this is where the interesting facts are found. Pumas now needs to relook their system and fix it for next season. They really need to put some money on a crucial game changing player. Get rid of the old and start some new players.
Category: Pumas Team NewsOne Step outside of the Tournament.
By: Albert | Add Comments
So Pumas is almost done. The 1-2 loss against Cruz Azul has really hurt their chances to make it to the Liguilla tournament and fight at a chance to win it. Ferretti and company still have a positive attitude and insist on going all out in the remaining games. Ferretti also says that it has been a little bit of bad luck. In the Cruz Azul game, they had a terrible first half, but turned it completely around in the second and had real good chances to tie the game back up. They have hit posts many of times, etc, blah blah.
Next step for Pumas is Toluca in Ciudad Universitaria. Toluca, leader of group 1, Pumas in the Cellar of group 1. Toluca recently tied with Chiapas and beat Puebla. Toluca is always a good team and should be a tough match up.
9 possible points is what Pumas have to fight for. Goal Scorer, Esteban Solari says that not qualifying for the Liguilla wouldn’t be a failure. I have heard this year Pumas has played better than last, but last year they made it to the Liguilla final match.
I feel this weekend is a decisive one.
Category: Pumas Team NewsCruz Azul vs Pumas - Preview
By: Albert | Add Comments
This Saturday Pumas will visit Estadio Azul to face Cruz Azul. Pumas have not won in 4 games and are close to not qualifying for the liguilla. They basically have to win the remaining games to be able to assure a spot in the Liguilla tournament.
Ignacio Scocco will probably not start again as he has not been playing well as of late, and Francisco Palencia will again take the starting spot.
Cruz Azul have won their last 2 games, the most recent against Chiapas Jaguares who is in the 2nd spot of group 1 with Toluca in 1st place. Pumas are currently in 4th with 15 points.
Other notable games this weekend is Pachuca vs Monterrey, Veracruz vs Puebla (in the battle for relegation), and the classic between Chivas and America.
Category: Pumas Team NewsA look at Pumas Fans!
By: Albert | 1 Comment
For those of you new to Mexican Futbol and the UNAM Pumas, this post is to give a history and information on the Pumas fanbase. The group of fans that unite in song and chants during each home game in University Stadium are called “La Rebel”.
The famous chant (that is sung at the beginning and end of this clip) is the Goya! The history can be found in the wiki, which is actually accurate.
Also at the beginning of each Pumas match the UNAM Hymn is sung which is located below:
The fanbase is very strong and La Rebel is one of the strongest group of Aficionados in Mexico. They are very faithful to their team. If you remember back when UNAM won their 2 League championships back to back they had the help of Francisco “kikin” Fonseca. Later he left to Cruz Azul for more money and now he is at Tigres. After the move to Cruz Azul, La Rebel chanted directly at Kikin in a very insulting way, here and here. Translated, they are basically insulting his mother and his sexuality.
Category: Pumas Team NewsBattle of Universities: Pumas vs Tigres
By: Albert | Add Comments
WOW, Pumas went down against a semi struggling Tigres, who have a semi new coach, Manuel Lapuente. Pumas lost 2-0 to what Tuca Ferretti says were defensive errors, especially the goal by Panamenean, Blas Perez. Paco Palencia started, which I was wanting as expressed in a previous post, but Pumas just couldn’t put one in as it was a very tight match.
Here are the highlights:
Category: Pumas Team NewsWeek 11: Pumas vs Santos Laguna
By: Albert | Add Comments
Not a result a Puma fan would want. Pikolin, comes in with the goal and some good opportunities for goal were had, but Santos comes back with a goal of their own and the game ends up 1-1.
On the positive side, we are up 2 spots on the table with Puebla’s terrible loss and Pachuca losing to Chivas. Toluca played America, so we knew they were going to win. Chiapas is playing very well of late, with ex-chivas player Bofo Bautista.
Two of the U-23 players saw action in the game, Efrain Velarde and Pablo Barrera and on the Santos side, Edgar Castillo.
Francisco Palencia came in on minute 72.
This makes 14 games that Santos doesn’t pull out a win in Ciudad Universitaria Stadium.
Current standings
GROUP 1
Chiapas: 5-3-3 (15/12, +3) 18
Toluca: 5-3-3 (15/14, +1) 18
Pumas: 4-3-4 (14/17, -3) 15
Puebla: 3-5-3 (18/13, +5) 14
Pachuca: 4-2-5 (19/17, +2) 14
Tecos: 3-3-5 (14/18, -4) 12
Category: Pumas Team NewsPut Palencia in!
By: Albert | 1 Comment
During this Clausura season I have heard complaints of the Pumas attacking force. I remember watching a game a few weeks ago where Francisco Palencia came into the game, took some defenders on the right side, to the end line and sent a pass to Solari for the goal. That was an immediate impact! Then more recently he comes in to score vs Morelia for the game winner.
Palencia was out for 2 months because of an injury but has proved his worth as of late. I think minute 68 is a bit late to put in a player who is making a positive contribution to the offense.
Paco told the press that he likes to talk by his play on the field and what he does. He will leave the deciding to Ricardo Ferretti, whether he starts or not.
Category: Pumas Team News
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