on the catwalk
By: j |
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I’ve always found the standard get the players out to model the new kit somewhat funny. Advertising exec’s, sponsor’s and assorted hangers-on who just want to hang squeeze in a few opening lines to the players clamor for this type of thing and it always comes off looking a tad like a Monty Python skit of John Cleese and Michael Palin parading up and down the catwalk. From the athlete’s perspective it’s a curious sort of event that some handle with a smile but mostly you just put up with it and hope the whole squad is there so you can take turns making fun of each other.
That aside Monterrey unveiled it’s new kit for this season with a great home white and blue stripe shirt and a two-tone blue striped for away. I’ll think I stop with the description before this blog entry turns into a complete fashion update and instead simply say they look great and hopefully the squad will play great in them.
Category: Monterrey Team News
Walter Erviti to Club Atlético Banfield
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While there is only a very brief release, after six years of tremendously loyal service with the Rayados, comprised of 213 matches, Walter Erviti has transferred to Club Atlético Banfield which is located just outside of his hometown Buenos Aires. The superb Midfielder will be missed on the field for his ability and leadership.
I will follow-up with this once details are available but wanted all Rayados fans to be aware. Good luck Walter and thank you.
Category: Monterrey Team Newsacademy on the horizon
By: j | 1 Comment
Today Monterrey opened their new facility to a cheering crowd of fans with the added expectation of a broader academy system in the not-so distant future. The facility will equally be used by lower division squads but as noted by the coaching staff, it will help create “Rayados of the future”. On a broader perspective I’m hopeful that we’ll see facilities of this grade become more common within all of México in the ongoing effort to improve overall play and the hopes of El Tri.
Category: Monterrey Team NewsChupete returns!
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With the club noting over the weekend that talk of a possible Humberto Suazo transfer to Galatasaray situation as pure speculation and completely false, we all began to breath a sigh of relief. And while we weren’t completely at rest, all doubts were eased as he joined the club for his first workouts yesterday after spending an additional week with his family. We can all take a deep breath now and look forward to the prolific strike-force of Humberto and Jared Borgetti teamed-up for a full season.
Category: Monterrey Team NewsHumberto Suazo to Galatasaray?
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With the first pre-season match tomorrow against the newly promoted Indios of Ciudad Juárez, one of the most important aspects of play to watch will be the work of central defenders Diego Ordaz and new arrival José Basanta. Praise for José has been across the board highly favorable and he is working in well with his teammates.
However far overshadowing this pre-season match, is the horrible news that Galatasaray on the heels of bringing in Australian international Harry Kewell, have set their sites on our Humberto Suazo. Rumors are swirling that the deal is all but complete, with a €20 m fee and that Monterrey would possibly replace Chupete with Guillermo Franco who left Monterrey for Villarreal in 2006.
With Humberto yet to report to camp the situation was becoming tenuous and with no commentary on his obvious absence, eyebrows certainly have been raised. Speaking for the first time on the topic, Ricardo Lavolpe commented yesterday that while he recognizes each player needs time off for family obligations, there is no justifiable reason he has yet to report. It appears the only reason is the one we care not to think of.
I will report on this situation as information becomes available but hopefully we have not seen the last of Humberto in Monterrey.
Category: Monterrey Team Newsit’s getting serious now
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With Ricardo Lavolpe recovering quickly from throat surgery last week and able to begin speaking, the physical portion of training camp has concluded and the team is heading into a period of more tactical skill work on Thursday. Fitness and Conditioning Coach, Milton Graniolati, has been very pleased with the teams output, commitment and levels of general fitness. Most importantly he reiterated that the team is focused as a group and working well together, which bodes well for the season.
With friendlies scheduled against of the newly promoted Indios of Ciudad Juárez on the 6th and the Pumas on the 12th, we will get our first looks at how José Basanta fits into the defensive scheme as well as how the squad, now more familiar with each other under Mr. Lavolpe’s leadership, works together.
For fans within the United States, you have two incredible opportunities to see the Rayados this month in small venues. Sponsored by Tecate, the Rayados are playing Morelia July 16th in Fresno at Chukchansi Park and the Carolina Rail Hawks at WakeMed Park in Cary, North Carolina on July 20th. If you are anywhere near these venues, please get out and support our team!
Category: Monterrey Team Newshe’s back; Jared Borgetti arrives in camp
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After arriving late yesterday afternoon, Jared Borgetti joined the squad’s training session and is ready for a full season with the Rayados. Joining Monterry mid last season, Jared continued with his trademark goal-scoring flair with eight strikes in only sixteen matches. Always a professional, Jared, thanked the teams management for giving him this opportunity, particularly acknowledging Richardo Lavolpe’s tactical guile. It will be quite exciting to see him and Chupete play together for a full campaign and if all accounts are correct, he appears fit, anxious and ready to go.
btw, am I the only one wondering how bad this golf course will look after camp. Somehow I just don’t think “replacing your divots” is part of camp.
Category: Monterrey Team Newsit’s a team
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If you’re staying abreast with training camp posts it is becoming very evident that in his second year on the job, Ricardo Lavolpe has instructed his charges to emphasize team development and improving overall communication of the players. This is a critical component for the team as it tries to make a run at the championship and the addition of José Basanta in the backline will go along way towards a stronger defense. The overall work rate in camp has been tremendous with three grueling practices per day led by Milton Graniolati and Flavio Davino, however each practice has included a “fun” team-building game such as an impromptu bocce-type game with coconuts or one of my favorites, Brazilian volleyball. While it is obviously premature to declare the approach a success, it is a brilliant tactical coaching move that will likely prove to be quite worthwhile throughout the campaign.
Category: Monterrey Team Newsbocce!
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In a time where it seems where all we hear of is transfer prices the size of some nations Gross Domestic Product, the idea of professional athletes having fun at practice takes us back to our youth and why this sport is such an integral part of our lives. With training camp open for only a few days, the players have not only shown a welcoming side to visiting fans, an openness to the community but within a fun team environment. As a professional who has spent three decades in this sport I’m hopeful every youth coach and parent takes a good look at the approach the squad is taking during camp as these are tremendous lessons.
After a tough day of training today, a little surprise was waiting for the players. Arranging the squad in three groups of fun competition of what is best described as “bocce” with coconuts from nearby trees. The players were to throw coconuts into rings that were set up in a sand trap on the golf course they were training, with various points awarded for which ring they landed in. Not only was this a fun team-building experiment but also a great example of the true nature of the fun side of sport that everyone can learn from.
Category: Monterrey Team Newsrise and shine, it’s time to hit the beach!
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It was another solid day of training camp for the Rayados, lead by conditioning Coach Milton Graniolati with work focusing upon raising fitness levels and agility training. As the team adjusts to the training series they are making use of sand training on the beach as well as additional sprint work on a local golf course. This is a great start to the campaign and one that could pay rich dividends. Tomorrows training has three different training sessions; 7:00 a.m. Gym & Beach, 12:30 p.m. Gym and 6:30 p.m. Golf course.
The photo is a great image from the team web-site from the morning training session with a group of fans who were watching. It’s a wonderful statement about the players and team and something to be proud-of and the young fans in particular will never forget.
Category: Monterrey Team News
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