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Canales Daily: Either Way, Argentina Wins
What do Manchester United, Barcelona and the Columbus Crew have in common? Key Argentine players, for one thing.
May 27, 2009 4:57:30 AM
By Andrea Canales
The Columbus Crew's Guillermo Barros Schelotto holds a rare trifecta - he is a reigning title-holder of Major League Soccer's championship, as well as the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 season, and also the MVP of the championship final.
The skillful midfielder is putting together another excellent season, though his team is struggling to replicate the results of last year.
"I think this is his best year in the league," said an impressed Bruce Arena, who coaches the Los Angeles Galaxy. "He's been outstanding."
Despite his focus on improving with the Crew, like much of the world, Schelotto was interested in the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
He shared some thoughts on the match.
"The best teams have advanced, with the best players, both on Manchester United and Barcelona," said Schelotto. "I hope it'll be a great match and that the team which plays the best wins the match."
Schelotto did have a favorite in the match.
"Manchester, because of (Carlos) Tevez," Schelotto acknowledged.
Some might be surprised that Schelotto didn't go with the popular choice of Lionel Messi, Argentina's young superstar.
The Crew player explained.
"Sure, he's a great player, but I've played with Tevez in Boca as a teammate, and not Messi."
Boca Juniors inspires that sort of loyalty, even though Schelotto and Tevez left the Bombanera years ago,
It's not surprising, though, as many adept players leave Argentine clubs, hoping to overcome the odds and become successful elsewhere.
Given Argentina's diaspora of talented players, it's almost inevitable that they should, even on the biggest stage of world soccer, run into each other.
Tevez and Messi will do battle, striving to represent their clubs and to prove that their team is the best.
What's been proven above all, however, is that Argentina has produced some of the finest soccer talent ever to set foot on a field. The country is now in the enviable position of a win-win scenario - no matter the outcome of this latest Champions League final.
"They're both Argentine, of course," said Schelotto. "Whoever wins, it's good, because they've worked hard to get to this point and deserve it."
The same words could apply to Schelotto, though far fewer people watched his MLS Cup final last year. Still, the championship was a notable accomplishment - one to add to the long list the South American country has earned.
Another will be added today. No matter which team holds the trophy aloft after the Champions League final, Argentina wins.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America
For more on MLS visit Goal.com's MLS section!
The Columbus Crew's Guillermo Barros Schelotto holds a rare trifecta - he is a reigning title-holder of Major League Soccer's championship, as well as the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 season, and also the MVP of the championship final.
The skillful midfielder is putting together another excellent season, though his team is struggling to replicate the results of last year.
"I think this is his best year in the league," said an impressed Bruce Arena, who coaches the Los Angeles Galaxy. "He's been outstanding."
Despite his focus on improving with the Crew, like much of the world, Schelotto was interested in the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
He shared some thoughts on the match.
"The best teams have advanced, with the best players, both on Manchester United and Barcelona," said Schelotto. "I hope it'll be a great match and that the team which plays the best wins the match."
Schelotto did have a favorite in the match.
"Manchester, because of (Carlos) Tevez," Schelotto acknowledged.
Some might be surprised that Schelotto didn't go with the popular choice of Lionel Messi, Argentina's young superstar.
The Crew player explained.
"Sure, he's a great player, but I've played with Tevez in Boca as a teammate, and not Messi."
Boca Juniors inspires that sort of loyalty, even though Schelotto and Tevez left the Bombanera years ago,
It's not surprising, though, as many adept players leave Argentine clubs, hoping to overcome the odds and become successful elsewhere.
Given Argentina's diaspora of talented players, it's almost inevitable that they should, even on the biggest stage of world soccer, run into each other.
Tevez and Messi will do battle, striving to represent their clubs and to prove that their team is the best.
What's been proven above all, however, is that Argentina has produced some of the finest soccer talent ever to set foot on a field. The country is now in the enviable position of a win-win scenario - no matter the outcome of this latest Champions League final.
"They're both Argentine, of course," said Schelotto. "Whoever wins, it's good, because they've worked hard to get to this point and deserve it."
The same words could apply to Schelotto, though far fewer people watched his MLS Cup final last year. Still, the championship was a notable accomplishment - one to add to the long list the South American country has earned.
Another will be added today. No matter which team holds the trophy aloft after the Champions League final, Argentina wins.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America
For more on MLS visit Goal.com's MLS section!
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