Mazembe shocks the soccer world

Tout Puissant Mazembe, a soccer club from the African nation of DR Congo (yes, the former Zaire) has shocked planet football by defeating Brazil's powerhouse Sport Club Internacional of Porto Alegre, Brazil in the Club World Cup. Mazembe did this after first defeating Mexico's Pachuca, another storied side by the score of 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

Mazembe, formerly known as Englebert, is a Congolese football club based in Lubumbashi. It was established in 1939 by Benedictine monks but took its first name (Englebert) when the monks lost control of the club to foreign elements and club sponsorship. The club continued to exist after the independence of the Congo in 1960 and won the treble (national Championship, Katanga Cup and Congo Cup) in 1966. Adding to their silverware were wins in the African Cup of Champions in 1967 and 1968. Mazembe was also finalist four times in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 and was the first team to successfully defend the African Champions Cup. Mazembe again won the CAF Cup of Nations in 2009, thus qualifying for the Club World Cup. 2010. [credit Wikipedia]

The Club World Cup, an annual tournament sanctioned by FIFA is being played in Abu Dabi (United Arab Emirates), traditionally pairs a South American team versus the winner of the UEFA Champions League. Usually, this tournament is thought of as an afterthought by the top European squads and of lesser importance for the Conmebol (South America) teams. This isn't always the case, however. Teams like LDU Quito of Ecuador took the games very seriously after winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time. Barcelona also was keen on winning the title in 2009 to complete their world dominance.

So why should it be different for Mazembe? Perhaps Pachuca came deflated from their excruciating playoff game versus Monterrey a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it was the same case for Internacional. But this unprecedented event could pit the African continent's representative versus Inter Milan--assuming they proceed to the final.

Mazembe's incredible Cinderella journey is not over yet. They have a final to play (team to be decided tomorrow), and an even bigger upset would surely place them at the top of historical upsets in world soccer. This is perhaps a way to show the true globalization of the beautiful game. Anyone with a good team can win an international tournament regardless of history. Anyone with the right resources can host the World Cup regardless of history.

Pure fantasy. Enjoy the games. Watch the goals:

Jose Francisco Torres and the new American wave

Yes, that's right. Pachuca's Jose Francisco Torres has elected to play for the United States instead of Mexico and will (might) feature in the upcoming qualifying games at RFK and then Port of Spain. This occurs after being insistently courted by both the US and Mexico for some time now.
Some facts: Torres was born in Texas but has Mexican descent. He decided to skip high school when a good opportunity to train and possibly play for a major Mexican league team (Pachuca) appeared. The 20-year-old has played 20 games for Pachuca scoring once. He also scored during the now defunct Concacaf Champion's Cup against none other than DC United.
So why's this important? Well, it comes on the heels of American-born Giusseppe Rossi's choice to play for Italy instead of the US. That's right, the same Rossi that has been lighting it up with Jozy Altidore's Villarreal as well as the Italians at the Olympics. Another target the US is after and may lose to Germany is Yugoslav-born but somehow American, Neven Subotic. This kid currently features for none other than Borussia Dortmund of the German Bundesliga, having played 4 games and scored 3 goals. Let's keep in mind that he also played in the US U-17 and U-20 teams and the University of South Florida. He's eligible to play for Bosnia (birth), Serbia (ethnicity), Germany (residency) and the US (citizenship). What a mess, right? Point is he hasn't made up his mind yet. Maybe Torres' choice (or dissention if you're Mexican and angry about it) will have some impact in Subotic's decision. The US is riddeled with Americanized players: Preki, Dooley, Adu, David Regis, Tab Ramos, Feilhaber, to name a few historic or still playing. Let's keep in mind that some of the current players are not American in direct descent. These include Onyewu, Reyna, Altidore, Kljestan, Orozco, to name a few. But then again, why are they not fully American if they weren't born here. This whole thing can be a bit silly at times.
What do I think? Well, in an age of nationalized-to-be-with-a-national-team mentality, I think it's perfectly fine to snag up as many players for the national team pool as you can. In the end it's all about the money and, to a lesser extent, the prestige in the world scene. Very few countries remain purists these days, and that includes Spain (Marcos Senna), Portugal (Deco), Italy (Camoranessi), Mexico (Vuoso), France (Trezeguet), Germany (Klose). There's no salary caps with national teams so why not have an all-star side? Of the countries I just mentioned and except for Klose, all those players are ether Brazilian or Argentinian originally. When it comes to soccer, the world is mostly Argentinian and the rest is Brazilian... but that's another blog.

Commentary: Tuzos USA??

Since my buds over at MLSrumors are taking their time with this one, I thought I would break the news to the english-speaking world. The show Futbol de Primera on XM Satellite Radio's XM Deportivo had a report with an interview with Pachuca president Jesus Martinez in which he asserted that Pachuca is working closely with both MLS and USL with the possibility of bringing the franchise to the United States and putting a team in one of the above mentioned leagues. You can listen to it on the fdpradio.com website under "Jesus Ramirez y los proyectos de Pachuca" (in Spanish: Jesus Martinez and the Pachuca Projects). This is reminiscent of our report about CD America looking to do the same thing with MLS. I hope more information about Pachuca and MLS/USL will surface in the next few days. I thought that CD America coming to the MLS would be interesting, but with Pachuca I'm beginning to think we're pushing it a little. This is an American league, as some readers of this website have made clear in the past, one or even two teams loosely bound to teams abroad is one thing. We don't want to turn the MLS into another mexican league plus some original MLS teams. Personally, I'd like to see a Barca USA or Boca Jrs USA before another Club America or Tuzos USA. As far as them going to the USL , be my guest(they already have teams like Crystal Palace USA). That's something worth tapping into and can create a formative league for an ever expanding MLS, especially noting that the league is on the verge of adding two additional Canadian teams. But that's a story worth an entire blog entry.