I just watched Uruguay take down host Argentina on PK's. OH MY GOD, is Argentina going to be feeling the blues over this one. You get the feeling the Argentines are getting tired of hearing how great Lionel Messi is. Yes, he is a great player, without a doubt (and he had a beautiful assist in this game) but he needs to win something. I am not sure how much of this is his fault -- there were long stretches of the game where he never got a touch on the ball. He can't do much if his teammates can't find him. They need somebody like Juan Veron who, at his peak, was a leader, distributor, all-around tough guy and fireplug. Alas, his career is near its end and they don't have anyone to replace him. I thought Macherano might be that kind of player, but it hasn't happened.
In the meantime, Uruguay proves the Final Four appearance in last year's World Cup was no fluke. Las Charruas are for real! Diego Forlan has proven to be one of the greatest players of his generation. Frankly, he has taken his team farther than Messi has, and one would argue that a small country of 4 million population like Uruguay should not be turning out more talent than Argentina. Well OK, they aren't turning out that much talent, but their coach Oscar Tabarez has them all on the same sheet of music and playing some inspired soccer. This isn't your father's Uruguay which used to be one or two really wonderful players like Enzo Francescoli and Andoni Alzamendi playing with a bunch of thugs.
I hope Uruguay wins the whole thing. They play attractive soccer and really, nobody else is really doing anything. Brazil looks more like Switzerland. They probably should bring in Marta from their women's team. This ain't Rinaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldino. I wouldn't be shocked if someone like Chile managed to advance out of the Elite Eight. Its a strange tournament this time.
In the meantime, Uruguay proves the Final Four appearance in last year's World Cup was no fluke. Las Charruas are for real! Diego Forlan has proven to be one of the greatest players of his generation. Frankly, he has taken his team farther than Messi has, and one would argue that a small country of 4 million population like Uruguay should not be turning out more talent than Argentina. Well OK, they aren't turning out that much talent, but their coach Oscar Tabarez has them all on the same sheet of music and playing some inspired soccer. This isn't your father's Uruguay which used to be one or two really wonderful players like Enzo Francescoli and Andoni Alzamendi playing with a bunch of thugs.
I hope Uruguay wins the whole thing. They play attractive soccer and really, nobody else is really doing anything. Brazil looks more like Switzerland. They probably should bring in Marta from their women's team. This ain't Rinaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldino. I wouldn't be shocked if someone like Chile managed to advance out of the Elite Eight. Its a strange tournament this time.
