It's not so much an issue of the role models as it is a clear and consistent thread to rules, procedures, and norms. What is evident is that the FEF and many clubs lack clearly communicated and published conditions to participate and certainly lack the oversight that acts as a system of checks and balances...whoever at the FEF decided that free time = unsupervised time is an absolute lunatic. If bad performance can get you benched or waived off the roster, why is something like that not etched in stone for behavior and conduct at the FEF. Theoretically, it's easier because none of the players are on contract. It's a time-bound privilege that can last 1-2 weeks on FIFA days and up to 6 weeks for longer tournaments. I somewhat agree, but I will add anecdotal evidence that contradicts. Last year, we had countless examples of players using their phones and publishing stories about what was happening in the concentraciones. Much of it was on their leisure time and when they were doing bbqs and whatnot, but why do we need to see it? Let them have their team building time and keep it closed doors...the fact that it goes public means their head is focused on showing off rather than on the team building activity or the concentracion as a whole. The optics were always weird when we'd go into a game 1-2 days later and lose. Seemed like the guys were just living "the life" instead of focusing on performance. There is such a thing as too much transparency and the NT should not be treated like a live-streamed reality show. Alfaro never got his head around this. Though I will concede that he was pretty stern. Plata's indisciplina goes back all the way to those days...especially the drunk driving incident in Spain. Sometimes, I wish these guys would actually get the legit penalty they are due based on the transgression because sometimes that's what it takes to actually change- even if it means probation or jail time of a few years that prevents them from playing. They will be better for it if they rehabilitate mind and soul. They'll be accountable- a kid like that puts food on the table for a family of 10 or more. If he messes up that badly, everyone suffers. There can be no bigger lesson of personal responsibility than that.
This, you won the discussion. It should be posted on every door they walk through from age 12. That's such a nice color. Love catching these alternate colors. I have the Liga teal and orange kit (think NFL dolphins) from years ago and I always have fun rocking it. I will forever do my ebay check to see if I can find the LDU gold and black kit from the year after they won the libertadores. I was too young to purchase it with my own money back then, ugh
I agree they focused too much on posting on social media than training but at least it wasn't a crazy activity. I just feel now they feel they can get away with anything because the coach doesn't hold them accountable. Plata's undisciplined behavior goes hand in hand with his growth. The kid feels he's too good to train and has been left behind by the new wingers coming up who are hungrier for success. That's a nice shirt To this day I've been looking for that bright orange away kit from 2016 and no luck
[AHORA] SporTV de Brasil informa que la directiva de Sao Paulo está al tanto del escándalo que protagonizó Robert Arboleda en Nueva York y que analizarán si hubo posibles violaciones a su código de comportamiento y convivencia. No descartan multas o sanciones. pic.twitter.com/hd2YssdWFk— MrOFF (@MrOFFSIDER) March 26, 2024
I wonder what he's gonna say if they dock his pay or bench him...he was defiant in the face of our scrutiny- now they'll hit him where it hurts: his wallet. Let's see if he's posting ironic comments or laughing at the outrage. I seriously hope all these dudes get stiffed by their clubs and face FEF sanctions, too. These trips are also important for the clubs who even post on their own media feeds about their "seleccionados" on the squad. Arboleda goes out there and commits the huevada- Sao Paulo gets humiliated, too. This also stemming from the fact that he's known to go to the favelas and party...even during covid lockdowns. He has no limits and clearly lacks professional and personal judgement. IMO, Kendry needs to really feel the heat. We have a lot riding on this kid. IDV's whole business model is built around youth development. This is a major slap in the face to their club/the Dellers, and I wouldn't doubt if scouts think twice about watching these kids. Plata - drunk driving + strip club + questionable club/transfer choice Kendry - underage strip club attendance + beers in hand after winning the campeonato Moises - TAO parties downtown (though not as bad b/c it didn't seem as scandalous) Hincape - unsung other attendee of the strip club (for sure he was there) = all IDV alumni
I’ve had no luck on eBay for bsc stuff but there’s a US website that sells replicas of their old stuff which is cool. Perhaps there’s a Liga site too? I like their alternas jerseys more than first team jersey tbh. Was thinking of getting the salmon BSC shirt from last year.
Gotta love ecua futbol Ahora si toparon 🥊 no fue #AquilesAlvarez sino su hermano #AntonioAlvarez presi de #BSC🟡⚫️ y el hermano de #Guschmer[@idoloTV] pic.twitter.com/miLYsnIoV6— FUTER (@FUTERweb) March 27, 2024
Im gonna give my 2 cents,I agree that Plata and Arboleda should not be called up anymore ,the second group didn’t need to be in the news ,Tao is a bougy/somewhat douchy restaurant that turns into a club,it seems like they were recognized by the staff and patrons and was just vibing with the clientele,I’ve seen this type of celebrations all over Manhattan in lounges,restaurant with athletes that visit these establishments,heck I literally live 10 blocks away from Tao ,it’s across from Chelsea Market,the one time I don’t walk by and the squad is nearby,man I would have invited them to my crib.carry on.
100% the away kits are always much nicer. The only exception for me is the 2015 home kit with the black stripe and badge in the middle.
I saw Alan Minda being linked to Milan, Napoli, and Fiorentina. His best bet would be Fiorentina to get a feel for Serie A.
I'm surprised Mendez didn't go there. He would have done well. As for Minda it'll help him learn to get past players better since the league forces you to get better.
He joined a second division side in Spain during the winter transfer window. Has yet to make an appearance though.
This is his second time in Spain. First when he was 18 and went to a 3rd division team he played 6 minutes the whole season. He is 26 y/o right now right about the time Edison Mendez went into his prime. At this point it might be best for him to return to Ecuador to gain confidence consolidate himself on the NT then maybe go back aboard.
I was thinking the same. His loan with the Spanish team ends in June so we’ll see where he ends up. He has make a good decision though. BSC wouldn’t be a good fit because their midfield is crowded - Souza, Trindade, Gaibor, Arroyo. I don’t think Emelec can afford him. Liga may be a good option given what’s happening with Zambrano.
Interesting insight. I'm assuming he won't be a free agent anytime soon, so Sao Paulo will ultimately be the one to decide his fate. Hopefully he can get back to Ecuador and just get minutes. Being abroad and not playing is of no help to him or the NT.
I don't give these lists much importance because if really gets biased due to overvalued players that clubs buy por pendejos, but Ecuador is ranked 25th and I thought that was interesting and wanted to share it. England twice as valuable as Germany - the top 20 most valuable national teams in the world https://www.transfermarkt.com/vereins-statistik/wertvollstenationalmannschaften/marktwertetop
Thanks for sharing! It is interesting nonetheless. Among the most valuable 10 teams, 7/10 are world cup winners, and 1/10 are runners-up (3x - Netherlands). Something which is validating from seeing that roster is how we are placing players internationally in greater numbers and many of them are getting minutes. The team just needs to perform better and be more consistent. Regrettably (though also admirably) we are buoyed significantly by Moises Caicedo who offsets what would otherwise be a tanked list that shoots us down to 39th (tied with South Korea), and if we matched that to the FIFA ranking (presently 31st) and past performance (across 2023-2024 friendlies and WCQs: 7 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses), it would likely be our true value/position. Moises' perceived value is 33% of the team's collective value. Something else that is interesting on that list is how the defensive unit in the starting XI is the most valuable line (collectively) on the entire team valued at 106M Euros if we run a line of Pervis - Torres - Pacho - Hincapie. I'm hopeful we improve defensively if Pervis can get back into good form and stay healthy.
100% spot on. But keep in mind that every team there - EVERY single one has at least one player that has unreasonably inflated the NT's value. Portugal 3rd??? I wonder why??
Arboleda shouldn’t be called up to the NT ever again. Plata, Paez, and Hincapie (if in fact he was also at the strip club) shouldn’t be called up to the Copa America at minimum. Paez needs a good ass whooping. If his behavior goes unchecked he’s going to become the next Ivan Kaviedes. Honestly I already think that’s the path he’s going down. Arboleda is not irreplaceable. Ordóñez and Porozo can take his spot. Plata is talented he too is replaceable - Yeboah and John Mercado come to mind.