Same result, different destination. Today, as announced this week, Ariel Ortega was introduced to his new club, only it wasn’t in the Middle East.

Instead, in a surprise move, Ortega inked a deal with B Nacional side Independiente Rivadavia, after his initial transfer to Al Ain was cut short when the player’s wife did not want to move to the Middle East, and Ortega would not move without her. Enter then Independiente, a club located in the Mendoza Province and currently in the second division of Argentine football, who struck a 10-month loan deal with River for $500,000.

River originally did not want to send the disgruntled player to another club in Argentina, but it was deemed that a move to Independiente would be the best option, and at the behest of both clubs, a clause was written into the deal stipulating that Ortega must visit a rehab clinic in Chile at least twice a week. Not only will Independiene allow their new signing to miss practice mid-week while he undergoes treatment, but he will also be allowed a private jet to travel, and River will pay for specialists to monitor his progress while in rehab.

Today at a press conference in Mendoza, Ortega took swipes at Diego Simeone and the club, and suggesting that the only people who truly care for him are his family. He also said that River to him was the fans and the shirt, and nothing else, and he’s right. Ortega is our idol, but now he’s gone, and River moves on. Best of luck Burrito, but above even idols like you, in the end it’s about la camiseta.

Our friends over at the River Plate Israel Filial celebrated what may have been the group’s biggest moment yet in its brief history, when they welcomed none other than Daniel Passarella, River playing and coaching legend, to Tel Aviv last week.

With El Kaiser in town to accept the title of World Ambassador for Peace from the Peres Center for Peace, the first South American to receive such an honor, the filial took this once in a lifetime opportunity to welcome the former Argentina 1978 World Cup Captain, whose name is also part of the group’s official name, as a special guest. Hours prior to his arrival at Tel Aviv’s international airport, over 40 members had already gathered in anticipation of their hero wearing a variety of River kits from over the years, singing chants (“Ole, ole, ole, oleeeeeeeee, Danieeeeeeel, Danieeeeeeel!”), and jumping up and down as though they were back at the Monumental. When at last El Kaiser appeared, they unfurled the offical River Plate filial banner to greet him, and presented to him a flag of Israel the group had signed as a gift.

Later that evening, Passarella was the guest of honor at a group dinner, where a very gracious Daniel spent hours signing autographs, posing for pictures, and regailing the members with stories of the famous 1978 World Cup win, as well as his thoughts on the current state of River.

Aside from accepting his honorary title, Passarella also used the trip to announce his intention to run for club President in 2009, a position currently held by José Aguilar, and promising to prepare for the next election in the same way during his years as player and coach.

Congratulation to the Israel Filial, and many thanks to President Martin Jona for sending me pictures and video of the event.

While claiming to not be completely abandoning his unpopular and as yet unproven 3-3-3-1 formation, Diego Simeone will instead start a 4-2-3-1. Returning to the starting lineup will be Radamel Falcao, who came on on as sub last Saturday, and Paulo Ferrari, who didn’t play at all. You can catch the match live on Fox Sports Español at 7pm ET. Should River win tonight they will “clinch” their second Torneo “title” in a row.

River Lineup:
Carrizo
Ferrari, Cabral, Nasuti, Villagra;
Ahumada, Abelairas
Rosales, Falcao, Ortega
Abreu

In other news, Marcelo Gallardo officially joined D.C. United today as a designated player. For you D.C. fans, remember it’s Ga-shar-do if you want to get the proper castellano pronunciation. … Finally, a recent study from the University Clinic of Munich Grosshadern claims to have found a link between heart problems and football. During the 2006 World Cup, researchers noticed a rise in heart related problems, including irregular heart beats and even heart attacks, amongst fans due to the emotional stress suffered at games. For those of you in California, maybe this can help calm you down. It might just save your life.

All in all, this is a strong squad, and is a testament to the quality and depth of Argentine football. Should be a great match.

Full 18 Man Roster:

Goal Keepers: Oscar Ustari (Getafe, Spain), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar, Holland).

Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol), Ezequiel Garay (Racing de Santander), Federico Fazio (Sevilla, Spain), Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Cristian Ansaldi (Rubin Kasan).

Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Ever Banega (Valencia), José Sosa (Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Damián Escudero (Vélez Sársfield), Juan Román Riquelme (Boca Juniors)

Forwards: Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), Sergio Agüero (Atlético de Madrid), Angel Di María (Benfica), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Nápoli,), Marco Ruben (River Plate).

Reports from Argentina and Goal.com are claiming that Marcelo Gallardo, former River captain and Argentine international, could be on his way to MLS.

San Lorenzo was known to be in the running for the midfielder, currently languishing at PSG, a move which would have been a major coup for former River coach Ramón Díaz. However, according to Gallardo’s agent Juan Berros, San Lorenzo’s offer was not as lucrative as MLS’, and a deal could be announced by week’s end.

So where could El Muñeco wind up playing? I don’t know, but whatever side gets him will become my new B team. Gallardo is one of my all-time favorite River players, and the opportunity to see him play again would be unbelievable. He was always regarded by me as a consummate professional and a born leader on the pitch, and River hasn’t really been able to fill the void left after his move to Europe. D.C. United have to be considered front-runners, given the fact that they lost out on Juan Sebastián Verón and with their history of scouting players from South America, but don’t count out the New York Red Bulls, whose new coach Juan Carlos Osorio is said to be scouting in Colombia and Argentina.

Here’s a video I took two years ago at the Monumental, when River defeated Rosario Central 2-0, thanks in part to this penalty, converted by Gallardo.

The man they call “God” in Argentina seems to have a problem with Uncle Sam, as he and fellow talk show host Hugo Chávez laughed it up over the weekend, waxing poetically about their mutual hatred for the old Stars and Stripes. His exact quote? “I hate it with all my strength.” I suppose it must take a lot of strength to summon up all that hate Diego, since the team you so vehemently support just happens to wear a kit produced by Nike, and sponsored by Goodyear. Oh, and in the past, Pepsi. Yup, all products born in the U.S. of A. Oh, and that same club wants to start an MLS franchise in the U.S., with the help of your buddy, legendary Boca flopper and current Columbus Crew-er, Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Yes, it must be hard for “El Diez” these days, with his heart going in opposite directions; at least someone knows my pain.

But let’s hope that Diego sends his good friend Jenna Bush an autographed Nike kit for her upcoming wedding. Turns out Bush 3 and 4 are massive, MASSIVE, Boca fans, who attended a match in the old chocolate box as “guests of honor” last year, and even sporting those very same Nike kits (which are made in the US, by the way). Diego, if you’re reading this, the address to send the wedding gift is 1600 Pennsylvania.

Finally, you may have heard about a certain 5-4 game this weekend between the New York Red Bulls and the L.A. Galaxy. All kidding aside, this was THE best game that I can think of ever in MLS history. Beckham, Juan Pablo Angel, Jozy Altidore, 66 thousand plus going nuts – all in all it was a great night for football in the ol’ US. If you can, check the highlights online, but by all means look to watch it in it’s entirety. It’s really that good.

It’s been a slow week news wise, with River training in Korea ahead of their Peace Cup debut tomorrow against Reading FC. If you happen to be in Argentina, you’ll be able to catch it on Fox Sports Español, if not, you could always hold out for the “free version,” later, though of course I would never condone that kind of thing. The lineup according to the official site is Ojeda; Ferrari, Tuzzio, Gerlo, Villagra Belluschi, Ponzio, Fernández, Abelairas, Rosales and Ruben. The dailes in Buenos Aires so far don’t seem impressed with what they see as more of the same from coach Daniel Passarella.

In other related news, Javier Saviola completed his move to Real Madrid, finally ending his up and down career at Barcelona.

Official Peace Cup site
Preview

* Javier Mascherano scored the lone goal as Argentina defeated Paraguay in Copa America last night. Masche, the former River standout now with Liverpool, netted Argentina’s 9th goal in the group stage, giving el albiceleste 9 points in three games, and topping Group C. They will face Peru next in the quarterfinals.

* Former striker Juan Pablo Angel leads voting for the upcoming MLS All Star game against Celtic FC, set for July 19th. Angel has 9 goals in 9 games for the New York club, and as been named MLS Player of the Month for both May and June.

Things are still up in the air regarding transfers, so check back soon as deadlines are approaching.

Nestor Rossi, considered to be one of the top 5 millonarios of all time, passed away Tuesday. He was 82 years old.

“Pipo” Rossi was a part of the legendary River squad La Maquina which dominated football in Argentina during the 1940’s and 50’s. He played 156 games in all for la banda roja, and was also a member of the men’s national team. As coach with River, it was he who played a young Daniel Alberto Passarella for the first time during a Torneo de Verano.

Angel Labruna: We all played at the highest level, but the one who managed the rhythm and steadied the midfield was Rossi.

From club’s official statement: His footballing ability, his matchless leadership, and his heart in fighting for the ball made him a true symbol of River and a model midfielder of the 40’s and 50’s.