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What' s that I hear in the distance? Chanting? Fireworks? Homophobic epithets? Ah, yes. Soccer season is again upon us. To get you back into the swing of things after last season's championship, our R&D (Research and Drinking) department hit the games and the bottle to get you ready for this year's pursuit of la quinta luna.
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AUGUST 2008 |
Xelaju M.C, our
beloved, beleaguered football club enters the apertura round
of the 2008-2009 season after a less-than-notable showing in
the clausura last year. We’ve got rid of a lot of the
dead weight and brought in some heavy hitters - from Head Coach
Gabriel “Chato” Castillo to some ring-in contracted
players that are making the faithful believe again. Below you’ll find the Superchivo match
calendar for August: |
JUNE 2008 |
| Fittingly, the 'chivos finished the
regular season how they started it - with a pair of ties: a 2-2
affair in Zacapa and a disappointing 0-0 showing at home against
Marquense. With an unimposing final record of 5 wins, 3 losses
and 10 ties - 3 more than any other team - Xela finished the season
in fourth place, behind perennial powerhouses Municipal and Comunicaciones
and this year's surprise, Petapa. In the first round of the playoffs,
Xela drew #5 seed Suchitepequez, the team that eliminated them
from the playoffs in the fall. Sadly, it was more of the same
this year, as Xela lost the ida 2-0 in Mazatenango and narrowly
defeated them at home 1-0.
Meanwhile, the rich keep getting richer, as defender Jhonny Giron will leave the team to join Municipal and midfielder Mario Pinyero and coach Carlos Jurado depart for Petapa. This marks the second year in a row that Xela will lose its
top defender. Keeping in mind that the best defense is a good
offense, the front office is targeting forwards Ricardo "Guti"
Gutierrez (Marquense) and Mynor Morales (Petapa), who combined
for 5 goals last season. It's not much, but our offense will
take anything it can get. But that's what you get with the 'chivos. They aren't the biggest. They aren't the most talented. Not one of their players is on the national team. But they're scrappy. They give it all they have. They may not have a league leader in goals, but Julio Estacuy led the league in cards (9 yellow, 1 red). So fare well 'chivos. As the cheer goes: Volveremos, volveremos |
MAY 2008 |
Wrap-Up What a rollercoaster month for our supergoats! They began the month with a couple of big 1-0 victories, vaulting them up the standings from seventh to fourth place. Their win against Petapa was their first over a top three team, while their victory in Malacatan against the lowly toros marked their first win all year away from the thin air of Quetzaltenango. Unfortunately, their momentum was halted completely in Guatemala City when the 'chivos ran into the red hot Rojos and the white hot Cremas, and were dominated 2-0 and 3-0, respectively. It's hard to blame them; the talent disparity is go great between Xela and the Guatemala City teams that Israel Silva, Xela's best player from last year, doesn't even start for Municipal. That said, it doesn't help that our kick-and-chase offensive strategy isn't well suited for our personnel. Just how many balls can we win in the air when our forwards are three to four inches shorter than our opponents? Chew on that, Coach Jurado. Oh well. Fifth place heading into the postseason isn't ideal, but at least we'll make the playoffs. And in the playoffs, anything can happen. Player Feature Nachos Con Pollo? No, porristas aren't especially hungry; they're cheering for fan favorite Minor Ignacio "Nacho" Campollo, backup forward and midfielder. At 21, Nacho is Xela' s youngest player and by far its tallest. Used much like England' s Peter Crouch, Nacho generally comes in late in games to provide an instant advantage in set pieces. With our lack of offensive success, the 'chivos might just need him. May Games Home against Marquense on Sunday, May 4 at 11am |
APRIL 2008 |
Wrap-Up March in 'chivocountry was more of the same for our boys in red: lots of ties and few goals. The team opened the month with ties at Marquense (1-1) and Heredia (0-0) and finished strong at home over defending champions Jalapa, who have struggled of late. With a strong March, midfielder Julio Estacuy now leads the team in assists, while Jhony Girón has anchored the league' s top defense, which has only allowed 8 goals in 11 games. April offers a big chance for the 'chivos to move up the ladder, with games against #1 Petapa, #2 Cremas and #3 Rojos. Starting Lineup Marvin Barrios (Keeper) April Games Home against Petapa on Saturday, April 5 at 8pm |
MARCH 2008 |
Wrap-Up Xela blew a big chance to take over sole possession of first place when Jhonny Cubero botched a penalty and the rest of the anemic offense could only muster enough effort for a 0-0 tie against bitter rival Municipal in late January. The 'chivos rounded out the month with a 1-1 tie at Suchi, a bitter 4-3 defeat (after being up 2-0 in the first half) at Petapa, a strong 2-0 showing at Mario Camposeco against Malacateco, a 1-1 tie in Guate against Comunicaciones and a 0-0 tie at home against third place Zacapa. Offensive midfielder Mario Piñyero has come on strong of late, scoring 3 of Xela' s 8 goals on the season and contributing 3 assists. Goalkeeper Marvin Barrios has also shone with 5 shutouts in 8 games, tops in the league. While Xela has sustained only one loss on the season (against first place Petapa), they remain in fourth place due to their inability to put teams away. Sadly, the only category in which Xela leads the league is games tied. The Scoop Ghanan offensive midfielder James Owusu has impressed thus far with his quickness, vision and aerial prowess. Unfortunately, with the recent play of Mario Piñyero, coach Carlos Jurado hasn' t found enough space and playing time for both of his talented offensive midfielders. If Xela hopes to reach the playoffs, he had better find the time for them soon. Promising midfielder Carlos Quiñónez was injured in a car accident in late January. His dislocated hip will keep him out for the season. March Games At Marquense on Saturday, February 1 at 4pm |
FEBRUARY 2008 |
Wrap-Up Xela started off the season strong by defeating Heredia 1-0 at home and followed up with a 0-0 tie in Jalapa, a solid outcome considering our abysmal record away from the friendly confines of Mario Camposeco stadium over the past few seasons. The tie was a pyrrhic victory; however, as midfielders Carlos Quiñónez and Walter Alegría and fullback Édgar Herrera were all injured in the game. What' s New? Ghanan James Owussu has been signed to a one year deal to team up with Costa Rican Jhonny Cubero at forward after the defection of Brazilian fan favorite Israel Silva to Municipal. Log onto www.mixelajumc.com to listen to Mi Xelaju MC Radio Monday through Friday from 12-1pm. For more information about game times and locations, check out www.guatefutbol.com. February Games At Suchitepequez on Saturday, February 2 at 8pm |
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