Estudiantes

As football fans, we can often be turned off by the amount of money and greed in the sport, especially with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, amongst others, crying their way to more money. The game has become almost as much about agents and investment groups as players and coaches.

However, there is a place about a 45-minute drive from Buenos Aires called La Plata, where there is a player who genuinely plays for the love of the team he supported as a boy. Once considered the best midfielder in the world, Juan Sebastián Veron is perhaps best known for his less-than stellar-spell at Manchester United. To many mainstream fans, La Brujita, or the little witch, has fallen off the map since he departed England.

After a brief time at Chelsea, Veron moved on loan to Inter Milan, with whom he won two Coppa Italias and a Serie A title in two seasons at the San Siro. It was after being overlooked for the 2006 World Cup in Germany that Veron began to engineer a move back home, with Estudiantes as his main target.

During his time in Europe, Veron had paid to help build the club new training facilities with the intention of returning one day, but it was very surprising that he came when he did.

At 31, Veron was still very much a key player for Inter Milan, but chose to return to his first club and the club his father played for in the 1960s and 1970s for less money and a chance at glory.

Estudiantes was a relatively strong side before Veron arrived, having reached the quarterfinals of the 2006 Copa Libertadores, but it was with Veron and his former national team Diego Simeone as coach that pushed the club over the top.

With youngsters such as Pablo Piatti, Marcos Angeleri, Mariano Pavone and Jose Sosa brought through from the club's youth ranks to link up with more experienced players like Veron and Rodrigo Braña, Simeone guided Estudiantes to the 2006 Apertura championship that included a 7-0 victory over archrival Gimnasia and a dramatic 2-1 win over Boca Juniors in a playoff after the two teams ended the season level on points. (Argentina does not use goal difference as a tiebreaker, but rather a final in event of teams finishing level on points.)

For many, winning one championship would have been enough. He had given Estudiantes fans their first title in over 20 years. He returned to the Argentina squad and started five of the six games at the 2007 Copa America and offers came in for the ex-Lazio man. The most enticing arrived from DC United, who were set to give him millions to help build MLS, but Veron decided he was at Estudiantes for life and wanted to build something special.

Although Estudiantes continued to fight at the top of the table, domestic success eluded the team, including losing the 2008 Copa Sudamericana Final. However, in 2009, when Veron finally won the title he so craved—The Copa Libertadores, South American’s version of the Champions League.

His father had won the trophy three times in a row in the late 1960s, and following his father’s footsteps was a dream come true for Veron.

Unfortunately, Estudiantes could not top Barcelona for the 2009 Club World Cup, falling just a minute short of lifting the Cup.

With the feeling of disappointment still with them, Veron and Estudiantes went back to work, only to suffer more heartbreak. Torn between domestic and international competitions, Estudiantes’ squad was stretched too thin, and the club lost both the Copa Libertadores and Clausura 2010 despite being the best team in both tournaments.

More pain followed for Veron, who went to South Africa as an unquestioned starter in Diego Maradona’s squad but was bizarrely left out of the quarterfinal loss to Germany, with rumors that La Brujita had fallen out with his ex-teammate over tactics.

Upon his return to the World Cup, Veron kept silent over what happened in South Africa and went to work, helping his team lift the Apertura 2010 title. Even though Veron was not as key a figure as he had been in the Libertadores or 2006 Apertura triumphs, his leadership on and off the field made Veron indespensible to the club, the players and most importantly, the fans.

In an era when money dominates the game, Veron came back to Estudiantes when Inter would have been logical. He then could have gone to the semi-retirment home of DC United to make even more, but Veron stayed at home and has now delivered three trophies, but most importantly, joy to the people of La Plata.

In one of the most hotly contested derbies, or "clasicos" as they are known in Argentina, Estudiantes overcame crosstown nemesis Gimnasia, 2-0 to avenge last season's 3-1 defeat at the hands of El Lobo, a loss that cost Estudiantes the title, in the Clascio Platense, or La Plata Derby. 

La Plata is the capital of the Buenos Aires province and is home to around 700,000 people, most of whom support either Gimnasio, the team of the working class, or Estudiantes, the side of the wealthier middle and upper classes. 

After last season's heartbreak, Estudiantes made no mistakes by putting Gimnasia to the sword and finishing the game by halftime. 

Early on, the game was all Estudiantes, but Gimnasia captain and goalkeeper Gaston Sessa kept his team in the match with two saves in one-on-one situations against Leandro Gonzalez. 

It was only a matter of time before the home side went ahead, and eight minutes before halftime when Rodrigo Braña slithered free of a defender and put an inch-perfect cross on the head of Federico Fernandez, who nodded past Sessa, sending the crowd into a state of jubilation. 

Estudiantes continued to press, and found the second just before halftime when captain Juan Sebastian Veron charged into the penalty area and was hauled down by Fabian Rinaudo, leaving referee Nestor Pitana no choice but to point to the spot. 

Veron stepped up to take the penalty himself, and although Sessa guessed the right way, he could not keep out La Brujita's effort, sending Estudiantes into halftime in control of the encounter. 

The second half featured more of the same, and although Estudiantes could not add to their tally, the game finished with the home side as conclusive winners. 

Now, Estudiantes can look forward to bigger things, as they have taken the lead of the Apertura through eight rounds, two points ahead of Velez Sarsfield. 

Unfortunately for La Pincha, their captain and idol, Veron, limped off midway through the second half and is in doubt for a massive showdown against San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires on Sunday. 

At 35 years old, Veron still posses immaculate vision and passing ability, but his legs are clearly giving out, and given the amount of football he has played over the past two years, from the Copa Libertadores and local league to the World Cup qualifiers and World Cup with his country, one must wonder how much longer La Brujita can continue. 

"We are going forward slowly, but we will reach the final," Veron said after the match, "Here we play with sentiment. We always adapt to the changes that we suffer throughout a match." 

For Gimnasia, the defeat leaves them tied for last in the table with relegation looming, and coach Diego Cocca was fired shortly following the match. 

Such is life in the Argentina First Division. Win one match, and all is right in the world; lose one, especially to your hated rivals, and you could lose your job. 

No doubt there will be more thrilling derbies across the country in the coming weeks, and of course, more managers to be fired. 

The first round of matches in Argentina is fully underway, and one of the tournament's favorites, Estudiantes de La Plata, have gotten off to a winning start thanks to a senseless handball from Newell's Old Boy's defender Gabriel Cichero.

In a game void of imagination and fluidity and filled with niggling fouls, it was fitting the match was decided by a lapse in judgment rather than a piece of brilliance. 

Twenty minutes from time, the 26-year-old Venezuelan Cichero lost his field presence and handled a long ball over the top intended for Leandro Gonzalez, giving referee Nestor Pittana no choice but to point to the penalty spot. 

There was never any doubt that Veron would take the responsibility, and the club legend did not disappoint, fiercely blasting his spot kick into the roof of the net. 

Veron, who was controversially left out of the line-up when Argentina were thrashed 4-0 by Germany in the World Cup Quarterfinals last month, had decided to not discuss what happened at the World Cup and instead focus on club football, and tonight he let his play do the talking. 

The 35-year-old playmaker was one of the few bright spots of the match, showing flashes of individual skill while linking up with Gata Fernandez and Leandro Benitez, who wowed the away supporters with a few slick touches and backheels. 

Although Estudiantes saw the majority of the ball and Veron managed the game in his typical fashion, Newell's will feel hard done as Sebastian Taborda saw his goal disallowed when captain Rolando Schiavi was adjudged to have interfered with play from an off-side position. 

In the second half, just minutes after Estudiantes had taken the lead, Newell's looked to have won a penalty of their own when Estudiantes goalkeeper Agustin Orion fouled Borgello in the area and Pittana pointed to the spot.

However, the assistants flag had been raised for an apparent off sides against Leandro Velazquez, although replays showed the call to be incorrect. 

With three lucky points in the bag, Estudiantes will feel relieved, but also wary of what is to come. 

Winger Jose Sosa has returned to Bayern Munich after a sensational loan spell in La Plata last season, while striker Mauro Boselli has moved on to English football with Wigan. 

The absence of those two stars caused Estudiantes to lack the needed punch in the final third of the field, an area where they dominated in recent tournaments, especially the 2009 Copa Libertadores when they became champions. 

After Newell's get over the anger at the referee and his assistant, they will also feel that the team does not have the quality to challenge for titles at the moment. 

Creativity was only generated from playmaker Mauricio Formica, who cannot be expected to shoulder the load all season long. 

Both team entered the night with feelings that they could protagonists in the Apertura, but after they will certainly feel less confident. 

With the pain of New Jersey-born Giussepe Rossi's decision to play for Italy, and subsequently score two goals against the United States in last summer's Confederations Cup, still stinging, the fans of the United States Men's National Team could feel a sense of Deja Vu as another top prospect born in the United States seems to be leaning away from ever representing the USA. 

Born and raised in California, Michael Hoyos attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School before moving with his mother and younger brother, Kevin, to Argentina when he was 15. 

Although he has admitted to being a fan of Buenos Aires Giants Boca Juniors, Hoyos joined Estudiantes de La Plata, the capital of the Buenos Aires province, after a trial. 

After coming through the Estudiantes system,  Hoyos announced his arrival to the Argentina Public in January 2010 at the Summer Tournament held in Mar del Plata, when he smashed a 30-yard strike past former Argentina National Team goalkeeper Roberto "El Pato" Abbondonzieri in Estudiantes' 4-1 demolition of his favorite team: Boca Juniors. 

Although regular playing time did not come for Hoyos during the 2010 Clausura, he did make five appearances as a substitute, getting a chance to play alongside the likes of Juan Sebastian Veron and Clemente Rodriguez, both members of Argentina's 2010 World Cup squad. 

After obtaining his Argentine passport, Hoyos caught the eye of Argentina's Under 20 manager and 1986 World Cup winner, Sergio Batista, and was called up to the side to play in a hexagonal tournament in Paraguay. 

In his first match in Argentine colors, Hoyos cut in from the right and blasted a shot from outside of the area into the top left corner to score his team's only goal just 15 minutes into a 1-0 victory over Uruguay. 

Despite being held scoreless by Mexico in the following match, Argentina was the far superior side with Hoyos instigating a number of impressive moves and forcing a few good saves from the Mexican keeper. 

Now, tonight in Asuncion, Hoyos and Argentina will take on Colombia in the Final of the tournament. 

Although many regulars in the Argentina Under 20 set up such as Rogelio Funes Mori and Roberto Pereyra were left out, the Californian has a very good chance of making into Argentina's team that will play for the South American Under 20 Championship in January. 

Also on the line in that tournament is qualification not only for the 2011 Under 20 World Cup (to be played in Colombia), but for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. 

These outcomes of the upcoming competitions will most likely decide Hoyos' final decision regarding who he will choose to represent at the full senior level. 

Michael has stated that he is leaning towards Argentina, and the fact that he has moved to La Plata full time and comes at the recommendation of Batista, the interim coach of Argentina's National Team, does not bode well for the US Men's National Team's chances of seeing Hoyos in the red, white, and blue. 

The current favorite to take over as Argentina's next manager is also Hoyos' current coach at Estudiantes, Alejandro Sabella, who could have the youngster in mind should he continue to make strides at both club and youth levels. 

During Estudiantes' upcoming Aperatura campaign, set to kick off August 7th in Rosario against Newell's Old Boys, Hoyos will feel more confident about getting a regular run out with the first team after Bayern Munich's Jose Sosa ended his loan spell in La Plata. 

Even though US fans should be proud of all Hoyos has accomplished at just 18, the question must be asked: How did a kid born and raised in the States until high school, slip through the cracks and end up at a club that has four times been crowned Champions of South America? 

Since his move, Hoyos has received an invitation to a training camps with the US youth side, but turned it down, choosing to concentrate on Estudiantes. 

Although no one can deny that Hoyos is extremely proud of his Argentine roots and was always likely to give his all to play for the South American country, there is certainly a feeling that the US did not do its best to lock him down as an American player. 

In most other countries (Argentina included), talented kids are spotted at a young age and immediately signed up by the top clubs to come through the youth ranks and later brought into the inferior ranks of the National Team long before they make their first debut at the club level. 

The way MLS is structured with a draft prevents clubs from signing players, causing one to ponder if players like Hoyos or Rossi would have left the United States had they been integrated into local club sides before reaching their teenage years?  

The US can only improve as a footballing nation by snapping up the children of immigrants rather than allowing them to go back to their fatherland in pursuit of achieving their dreams. 

It is not just the case of first or second-generation immigrants, but those born outside of the United States who come as children, only to leave rather than trying their luck with an MLS club. 

Rogelio Funes Mori and his twin brother Ramiro moved to Texas from Mendoza, Argentina at the age of nine, where they won the Sueno MLS competition and a chance with FC Dallas. 

Rather than sticking with the Texas side, the Mori twins went across the pond for a trial at Chelsea. 

After not being able to make into the Chelsea system, the Mori brothers returned to Argentina and began a career in the youth system at River Plate. 

Rogelio, now just 19, has already made big splashes with River, netting a hat trick against arch rival Racing Club last May, and should be one of the key figures at the South American Under 20 Championships in January. 

There is now a very strong likelyhood that three players with strong ties to the United States will all be representing Argentina this winter. 

Whether or not this was avoidable is up for debate, but US fans will surely be disappointed a better run was not made for such players. 

When Juan Sebastian Veron decided to take a pay cut in 2006 and return to his hometown club, Estudiantes de La Plata, it could have been interpreted as a chance to wind down his career peacefully.

Many South American stars return from long careers in Europe with little left in the tank, and although they can supply moments of brilliance, long term success is usually not in the cards, which is what makes Veron’s rebirth so incredible.

Although many felt that “La Brujita” was finished after a less than satisfying spell in England with Manchester United and Chelsea, Veron actually played very well upon returning to Italy for Inter.

Roberto Mancini, Inter’s manager at the time, seemed ready to resign the former Parma, Lazio, and Sampdoria star, but Veron went home to continue the love affair that his family has had with the modest club that resides in La Plata, about an hour south of Buenos Aires by car.

Veron’s father, Juan Ramon, won three Copa Libertadores between 1968 and 1970 and won the Intercontinental Cup against Manchester United in 1968. The younger Veron made his debut for the club in 1993 helping them gain promotion to the Argentine First Division before leaving for Boca Juniors, where he played with current National Team coach Diego Maradona.

While in Europe, "La Brujita" helped the club financially with the millions he earned in Italy and England, but upon returning, his position amongst the pantheon of club idols was anything but assured.

Then came the 2006 Aperatura, when Veron inspired the unfancied Estudiantes to the title, beating Boca Juniors 2-1 in a dramatic one game playoff after the sides finished level on points during the tournament.

His success with Estudiantes brought about a shock recall to the National Team under Alfio Basile for the 2007 Copa America after three years in the International Wilderness.

Veron helped Argentina reach the Final, but the best of his return to top form was yet to come.

After falling in the 2008 Copa Sudamericana Final in 2008, Veron pushed his team forward to win the 2009 Copa Libertadores while winning the South American Player of the Year Award for two years running.

In December, Veron picked up the Silver Ball in the Club World Cup, as Estudiantes came within minutes of knocking out Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.

Veron has also pushed himself into a key role for Maradona’s Argentina, acting as the midfield organizer, using his patience to wear down defenses and hold up the ball before springing the likes of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, or Angel Di Maria.

During the current season, Veron, now 35, and Estudiantes are attempting to achieve an improbable feat: fighting for the title on both fronts, both domestically and in the Copa Libertadores.

While this is common practice in Europe, South American teams are faced with longer distances to travel, more hostile environments, and perhaps the most difficult of all: altitude.

After suffering a shock defeat to Alianza Lima in Peru, Estudiantes persevered, clinching first place in the group and passage to the knock stages after a hard fought 1-0 victory in Quilmes (the adopted home of Estudiantes while their new stadium is being constructed) last night.

Veron was again the figure of “El Leon,” as it broke down the resilient Peruvian defense. Seba ’s free kick led to a moment of madness from an Alianza defender, who handled the ball inexplicably in the penalty area.

There was never any doubt that the captain would take the resulting spot kick, and although George Forsyth stopped Veron’s initial effort, the greatest idol in the history of Estudiantes thumped home the rebound sparking a raucous celebration.

After the match, Veron was emphatic that he intended to play Saturday against River Plate in the fight to clinch the Argentine Clausura, but now the question must be asked: with all the games he has played, and those still to play, what will Veron have left in the tank for the World Cup in South Africa?

After the travesty that was Argentina’s 2002 World Cup group stage exit, many pundits and fans blamed Veron, the fulcrum of Marcelo Bielsa’s side, for the heartbreak. Eight years later, Veron knows that although he has become beloved by many, there are still those who hold a grudge.

At 35, Veron has already shown of tiring this season, and was forced to be subbed out during Estudiantes’ 2-1 victory of Tigre during the weekend. At the highest level, it has been even more evident.

During Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Germany in Munich in March, Veron played a brilliant match, but was ineffective for large parts of the second half when Maradona inexplicably left his former Boca teammate on the pitch until the dying seconds.

After all the games over the past two years: league matches, Copa matches, Club World Cup games, and of course World Cup Qualifies, it seems unlikely that the aging maestro will be able to put in the seven games in a month span required to lift the trophy.

Making matters worse, is that Maradona appears to have no “plan b” to Veron.

Pablo Aimar has played just once under El Pibe de Oro, and Maradona’s falling out with Juan Roman Riquelme is well documented. That leaves the brilliant, but very green Javier Pastore as the only player in Maradona’s plans capable of supplying the creative spark from center midfield.

Can Pastore, a player who has yet to play for Argentina in a full international game, come in during a World Cup quarterfinal against the likes of Germany or England to provide the magic needed should Argentina be trailing?

With each game that Veron plays in the more of a headache it will become for Maradona come June. Or perhaps worse, he may not think about Veron's fatigue at all leaving Argentina void of options off the bench.