Free Kicks with Joe

U.S. Soccer Player Makes History...

United States soccer player Clint Dempsey made a little bit of history earlier today when he became the first American to score a hat trick in the English PremierLeague.  Dempsey who plays for Fulham scored the three gols against Newcastle United, the final score was 5-2.

Dempsey has 15 gols for Fulham this season.  Clint Dempsey is from Nacogdoches, Texas and also plays on the U.S. National Team.

Messi World's Best For Third Time In A Row...

FIFA announced today that Argentine striker Lionel Messi was selected as the winner of the 2011 Golden Ball Award.  This award represents that Messi is the best soccer player on the planet.  Messi beat out Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for the award.

Messi has won this award for the third time in a row.  The only player to do so in the history of the award.  Messi is only 24 years old.

Mexican Soccer Clausura 2012 Kicks Off Today...

The 2012 Clausura soccer season for Mexico's premiere soccer division will begin tonight when Tijuana goes to the state of Michoacan to face Morelia.  Here is a list of the games that will take place on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday:  Cruz Azul vs. Tigres, Monterrey vs. Jaguares, Queretaro vs. America, Santos vs. Pachuca, Chivas vs.  Atlante, San Luis vs. Pumas

Sunday:  Toluca vs. Estudiantes, Puebla vs Atlas

The most attractive games for this first week are Cruz Azul vs. Tigres, Queretaro vs. America, and Santos vs. Pachuca.

While Tigres seeks to defend its title with very few acquisitions over the month and a half long offseason, Cruz Azul, Santos, and Pachuca made big name acquisitions to solidify their chances to be contenders in this upcoming season.

Cruz Azul landed Mexican forward Omar Bravo after coming off of a fantastic season with the MLS (Sporting KC).  Santos acquired American forward Herculez Gomez to put the final touch on an already offensively minded Santos team.  Pachuca acquired Gullermo Franco from Argentina.

Queretaro will try and prove that last year's playoff run was no fluke despite still being involved in relegation problems.

And of course there is Club America.  Under the new direction of seasoned head coach Miguel Herrera, the complete makeover for the team from Coapa is what is on everyone's minds to see if all these changes pay dividends at the end of the year.

No One Speaks For CF Indios...

As of noon today no officials from CF Indios have addressed the media regarding the teams exit from the Mexican Soccer Federation.  At the very least an official statement is expected addressing the extinction of this professional soccer franchise.

Across Facebook and Twitter Indios fans everywhere are asking for answers, even settling for excuses as to why things for the team from the Borderland came to this.  If anything to get a sense of closure with this beloved team.  Yet the Indios front office has not offered anything up.

I don't expect team president, Hector Espino, to say anything or addressed the media.  I do however expect an official statement on the team's behalf, or at least I'm hoping this front office has the professionalism to issue one.

Judgement Day For CF Indios...

Today at 8:00 am local time the front office for CF Indios will have its meeting with officials from the Mexican Soccer Federation to determine the future or extinction of the franchise.

Last night, director of media relations, Adir Bueno sent out a media release that the team would practice at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium this morning at 10:00am.   This would be the second practice that the team had in as many days.

Possibly by the time the practice is over the fate of the team may be decided as the meeting with the federation will most likely be over.

As for who will represent the Indios in Mexico City in the meeting with the Mexican Soccer Federation is unknown. 

Team president, Hector Espino, in his inept manner has not been in contact with the media so it is unknown what the plan will be if any.

Check back later today for the latest. 

CF Indios Discussion...

Tune in today at 5:30 pm to ESPN 600AM El Paso, I will be on Sportstalk with Steve Kaplowitz to talk about the latest on the demise of CF Indios.

 

-Joe

CF Indios: The Lastest On The Pending Extinction...

This is the latest on the debacle that is CF Indios.  This afternoon in Mexico City, Enrique Bonillia, who is in charge of the second division of Mexican soccer held a press conference to give an official announcement regarding the CF Indios.  He said the following:

“The motive behind this conference is inform you that the CF Indios has not complied with its economic obligations with the Mexican Soccer Federation, because of the this the process will begin and an investigation will take place as to what is going on with and to determine what will the future will hold for for this club.”

“In the event that they do not meet the economic obligations by a set deadline, their affiliation with the Mexican Federation will be terminated.”

Bonilla reported that the Indios front office will meet with the Mexican Soccer Federation at 9:00 am on December 28^th. 

This will basically be the final opportunity for the Indios to meet with the Mexican Soccer Federation and discuss or come up with some miraculous arrangement to save the team.

According to Bonilla, technically the team has until the beginning of the 2012 Clausura season to get its economic situation in order.  The season will begin on January 6^th.

What all of this amounts to is the official beginning of the end for the Indios. 

This team has not had any formal preseason workouts, or made any trades to acquire new players.  These two factors alone have would not allow the Tribe to be competitive team for the 2012 Clausura season.

I will not be surprised if the front office for the Indios does not even show up for December 28th meeting.  Team president, Hector Espino, didn't even have the backbone to address the local media yesterday after he met with the players.

Stay tuned for more information as it develops.

CF Indios Is No More...

Club de Futbol Indios is no more, the professional soccer team from the Borderland that was the one shining and positive element to Ciudad Juarez over the last half decade folded up operations yesterday evening.  Even though the announcement has not been made official by the Mexican Soccer Federation, multiple players for the team started tweeting as early as 5:00 pm that they were being notified that team operations were coming  to an end.

Players met with team president, Hector Espino, last night in the restaurant of a local mall to notify them of the news.  After the meeting players met with members of the local media that were waiting outside.

Espino, in a cowardly fashion, opted not to address the media but rather exit through the back door of the establishment, literally.

More to come on this developing story as the news is made official by the Mexican Soccer Federation.

Players For CF Indios To Return This Week...

Players for CF Indios are scheduled to return to the Borderland sometime this week to prepare for the upcoming 2012 Clausura season.  This is after team head coach, Sergio Orduna gave the players approximately one week off after they tied up loose ends at the end of the dismal 2011 Apertura season.

The team will continue business as usual despite not knowing exactly what the future of the franchise will be.  So far there is only 3 possibilities. 

One, is that there will be a continuation of the present ownership group, and most likely continue to drive it into the ground. Two, the team will cease to exist.  Three, Jorge Vergara (owner of Chivas de Guadalajara) will buy the franchise.

More to come as it develops.

 

CF Indios End Worst Season In History With A Loss...

It is over, at least for the time being.  CF Indios lost its final regular season game by a score of 4-2 to Estudiantes Altamira last night.  This defeat ended the worst season in the history of CF Indios.  They accumulated at total of 14 poinsts as a result of 4 victories, 2 ties, and 9 defeats in the 2011 Apertura season.

As for what is next for the team from the Borderland, pure uncertainty.  With a front office at the helm that has brought this franchise to pure mediocrity, only time will tell if this team continues to exist.

The new ownership group still owes former owner Francisco Ibarra and undisclosed amount of money.  Then there is the Jorge Vergara factor.  The owner of Chivas de Guadalajara, Mr. Vergara, is said to be interested in buying the franchise.

Will the current ownership group continue??? Will Vergara step in with his limitless bankroll??? Or will the team become extinct???

Stay tuned as this soap opera that is CF Inidios is going to get good over the holiday season.