Tiros Libres: Off And Running

By: Christian | February 12th, 2010

I have just returned from Puerto Rico where I was honored to participate in the 48th Annual San Blas Half Marathon. The event took place in the town of Coamo, near the southern edge of the island, and featured runners from across the world. Despite being a fairly experienced runner, this was by far the most difficult race I’ve ever completed, with multiple winding hills and a heat index that reached 90 degrees; under those conditions, I was glad I finished vertically. But it was well worth it to run in the hometown of my late grandfather, and in front of my family who still live there.

What does any of this have to do with River Plate? Coamo is only a few minutes from the town of Ponce, home to Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico. The club was founded in 2007 with the help of the Argentine River, which had been seeking to create a “franchise” club on the island. Like its older brother, the Puerto Rican club has already proven a success.

During its inaugural season the club participated in the Liga Premier de Futbol and finished champions. The following season it joined the Puerto Rico Soccer League and finished runner-up, and in 2009 were winners of the regular season (similar to the Supporters Shield in MLS) after finishing at the top of the 9-team table. The team also has one international title, the 2009 Copa Monte Plata, a tournament held in the Dominican Republic. The club will begin its next season soon this year, and will eye a spot in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League.

I had hoped to visit the team in Ponce, but unfortunately could not make it. I hope to have a report on the club in the near future.

But back to River Plate now, where there’s business to get down to. Here’s what happened last week:

River Plate nearly let one get away following a 3-2 win over Chacarita Juniors last Thursday. Despite leading twice in the game at 2-0 and 3-1, the club was lucky not to finish with a draw or worse. At the very end Chacarita appeared to have tied the game, but thankfully the goal was called back after the referee called an offensive foul. The goals were courtesy of Paolo Ferrari, who scored the first two, and Gustavo Bou, who scored the game winner. You can watch the highlights below.

Now I was able to watch the Thursday game but completely missed this past Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Rosario Central, but by all accounts I missed nothing. River failed to score even once against a team that had already conceded 4 goals this season. Sorry, I didn’t feel think anyone would want to see highlights of that.

Finally, the biggest news to come out of River over the weekend was yet another relapse from Ariel Ortega. El Burrito failed to appear for a training session last Friday, and instead showed up late the next morning in an inebriated state. Leo Astrada made the decision to leave the play-maker out of the squad against Central, a move which did not sit well with Ortega. Since then, Astrada and President Daniel Passarella have tried to deal with the situation, while Ortega, while pledging his love for the club, has suggested that if River don’t want him, he will play his football elsewhere.

I’ve written about the Ortega drama many times on this blog in the past, so rather than rehash what I’ve said before, let me just come out and say it: Burrito, it is time for you to retire. You’ve given your life to this club and you are loved dearly for it. But you have a disease that needs to be treated, for the sake of yourself, your family, and for your children, all of which are more important than football. And if I may be even more blunt, these constant dramas, seemingly every season, are a distraction to the club you love, and are certainly not helping matters on the pitch. So please Ariel, for yourself and for River, get the help that you need. Now.

This Sunday, River will travel to Santa Fe to meet Colón.