Kidnap fear stalks Mexico as soccer coach snatched
Heavily armed kidnappers snatched the Argentine coach of one of Mexico’s biggest soccer teams in broad daylight, a brash crime that put fresh pressure on authorities to contain growing violent crime.
Police admitted on Wednesday they had few clues about who abducted Ruben Omar Romano, trainer of first division Cruz Azul, by blocking a road and grabbing him from his car Tuesday after a training session in the south of Mexico City.
“Whoever did this kidnapping is a perfectly well organized group that had enough vehicles and armed elements to carry out an exact and precise operation,” the capital’s police chief, Joel Ortega, told Mexican television.
He said no one had received a ransom demand for Romano, 47, who took Cruz Azul to the final stages of the league championships this year after several poor seasons.
More: alertnet.org
Soccer: Mexico denies Iran Universiade quarters berth
Mexico shattered Iran's hopes for advancement to the last eight of the football tournament of the 23rd Universiade in Izmir, Turkey on Sunday.
Iran, which was a draw away from quarterfinals, presented the place to Mexico as the South American side won the deciding match 3-1.
Both sides collected four points, but Mexico joined the already qualified Czech on goal difference.
Mexico netted twice before the interval and added another in the second half to beat the nine-man Iran.
The Iranian squad defeated England 2-1 in their opening match, but it was held by
Mexico Soccer Coach May Be Out
Ricardo Lavolpe is not likely to continue as Mexico coach when his contract expires after the World Cup.
Mexican club owners will meet soon to decide Lavolpes future, but the coach is expected to be shown the door, Mexican Football Federation president Alberto de la Torre said. He said the Mexican manager has offers from Argentine and European clubs.
I think he will not (continue), de la Torre told Mexican channel Televisa. He wants to coach in Europe. He was telling me he has an offer from Spain, and also has offers from Argentina, so hes
100% Soccer: U.S.-Mexico considered a classico -- at least by 1 country
ne of the knocks against MLS by soccer snobs is the lack of real rivalries -- derbies or classicos -- between teams.
It's a point with some validity.
Some point to Galaxy-San Jose Earthquakes contests as the best example of an MLS derby.
But I've always had a hard time working up a healthy hostility toward relatively anonymous San Jose.
San Jose is the Rodney Dangerfield of cities in comparison to neighboring San Francisco.
The Earthquakes, albeit inadvertently, indirectly gave us Landon Donovan.
And if Galaxy coach Steve Sampson doesn't start winning consistently
Police dumbfounded as serial killer stalks Mexico
This much they know: Someone has been murdering older women in Mexico City, strangling them in their homes, pocketing a keepsake and vanishing into the city's streets.
But investigators do not know whether the killer is a man or a woman, whether there is an accomplice or how the victims are chosen.
After two years and at least 24 unsolved murders, they have one fingerprint that matches partial prints from five other cases, a modus operandi and a police sketch of what appears to be a man made up as a woman.
Investigators pieced together much of
Mexico police score rare win in soccer coach rescue
Berated for endemic corruption and their failure to defeat drug cartels, Mexico's police basked in a rare victory against organized crime on Thursday after the bloodless rescue of a kidnapped soccer coach.
Federal agents sprung Ruben Omar Romano, the Argentine coach of leading team Cruz Azul, from captivity in a house in the crime-ridden neighborhood of Iztapalapa on Wednesday night, without a shot being fired. Seven people were arrested.
Romano, who was being held for a $5 million ransom that was never paid, spent two months blindfolded in the house after being seized
Mexico's La Volpe defends selection
Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe has defended his decision to include Argentine-born striker Guillermo Franco in the national squad for Saturday's World Cup qualifier at home to Guatemala.
"Most of the strikers who play in Mexico, I would say 80 percent, are foreigners and if one of them is a naturalized Mexican, I don't understand why I can't see what he can do," La Volpe told reporters on Tuesday.
"I've seen the others, now I want to see Guillermo," the former Argentina goalkeeper added. "It doesn't mean he's going to the World Cup."
With two qualifying matches remaining in
Argentine may change nationality, play for Mexico in soccer World Cup
Argentine soccer player Walter Gaitan told Mexican sports daily Record on Friday, that he is willing to change nationality and play for Mexico in the soccer World Cup, after an invite from Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe.
"I love Argentina, but I have been here more time now, and I really identify more with the people of Mexico. If I have a chance to represent them, I am going to give it my best shot," he said.
Gaitan could become the third nationalized player in Lavolpe's squad, alongside Argentina-born Guillermo Franco
Boca Juniors poach Lavolpe from Mexico national team
Argentine soccer club Boca Juniors on Tuesday introduced Mexico former national team manager Ricardo Lavolpe to the press as the clubs new manager.
The 54-year-old is replacing Alfio Basile, who will join Argentinas national team as manager on Sep. 15.
It is an honor for me to lead a team like Boca Juniors, which is big not just in Argentina but across the world, Lavolpe told reporters. His contract begins on Sep 15, and will run until June 30, 2007.
Lavolpe brings with him a team including coach and son-in-law Flavio Davino, former
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006 World
