Does Anybody Want To Coach Argentina?

For a country that boasts the world's best player (Lionel Messi) and another one of the best goal-scorers on Earth (Carlos Tevez), Argentina sure knows how to burn through its national team coaches in record time.

By virtue of winning one game in the 2011 Copa America tournament (eventually won by Uruguay 3-0 over Paraguay yesterday), Sergio Batista was shown the door after only one year on the job.

Moving on from the bat shit crazy Diego Maradona was a logical decision but replacing him with basically a low-rent version did not work out at all.

Batista, who took over a year ago, was Argentina's fourth coach in five years and had the same problem as his predecessor Diego Maradona: little tactical experience and an inability to get superstars to play as a team rather than as individuals.

Alejandro Sabella, former coach of Argentine club Estudiantes, and Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino -- an Argentine -- are seen as the favorites to replace him. Also being mentioned as a successor is former Boca Juniors and Atletico de Madrid coach Carlos Bianchi.

Maybe it will take an outsider to help Argentina morph from a group of stars into a star-powered team. There's no reason why they can't be one of the top squads in every competition they play in. They have way too much talent to be this inconsistent. This non-stop coaching carousel probably isn't helping their chemistry either so we won't hold our breath that it will be any different with the next skipper.

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Tevez is not leaving Man. City, at least not right away

Nothing like a public spat with your team played out in the British tabloids. I've found that always solves my problems.

Carlos Tevez must agree as his latest drama has involved his should I stay or should I go deal with Manchester City. The newest chapter is that he withdrew his transfer request, he must be in the holiday spirit.

City announced that Tevez's contract, which has 3 1/2 years to run, remains unchanged and that the Argentina international has "expressed his absolute commitment to the club.''

Tevez retained the captaincy for Monday's game against Everton and received a warm reception from the home fans, but could not prevent his side slipping to a 2-1 loss that leaves City third, two points behind leader Manchester United.

The defeat soured the mood at Eastlands following the earlier news that Tevez, the club's top scorer and highest paid player, had had a dramatic change of heart.

In a total PR damage control move, Manchester City tried to sweep all of this under the rug. Nothing to see here folks.

"Manchester City can confirm to its fans that 'clear the air' talks have been held with Carlos Tevez,'' the club said in a statement. "During the meeting Carlos expressed his absolute commitment to the club and formally withdrew his transfer request. Carlos' contract remains unchanged and both Carlos and the football club are keen to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead.''

Tevez is seen as pivotal to City's hopes of winning the top flight title for the first time since 1968. His 10 league goals have put City on course for a top four finish and qualification for the Champions League.

"Carlos is a world class player whose contribution since he joined the club has been invaluable,'' City manager Roberto Mancini said. "I am pleased that we are now able to focus on pure football matters and to be able to look forward to Carlos continuing to play a significant role in the club's progress.''

The statement contained no direct comment from the 26-year-old Tevez, and Mancini did not reveal what had prompted Tevez to change his mind.

"I think that it's not important,'' Mancini said "It's important that the situation was clear in this moment and everything went in a good way, that's important.''

This will be something to pay attention to as the EPL season goes by and depending on how Manchester City ends up. For Tevez and the team, it has to be Champions League (top 4) or bust.

Messi, Tevez, Higuain and Co. coming to America (sort of)

It is fitting that a day after Messi scored two brilliant goals for Barcelona in a Champions League win, comes the news that his national team (Argentina) could be playing a pair of exhibition games in the U.S. in March.

Henry Cardenas, whose Cardenas Marketing Network announced a partnership in February with the Argentine Football Association, will meet next week with officials of the U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation. He hopes to arrange games for March 24 and March 28, which is during a FIFA fixture window.

"Nothing has been finalized," Cardenas said Wednesday. "We would love to play the United States and Mexico. If not, it could be Canada."

With Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Mascherano, the Albiceleste are among international soccer's top attractions.

Cardenas said several sites for the games were under consideration, but the East Coast was less likely because of cool March weather.

Argentina last played against the U.S. in an exhibition at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., drawing 78,682 for a 0-0 tie on June 8, 2008.

Argentina will be preparing to host the Copa America, South America's championship, from July 3-24.

Clearly given the timing, don't expect Argentina to come to Gillette. If they do show up in the States, you can bank on the fact that it will most likely be in California, Floria and or Texas. Those are my best guesses of places that could accomidate such a big event.

The second half has started but Tevez closed the book on this one

Well thanks for playing Mexico. Tevez just hit a missle from the half circle at the top of the box in the 52nd minute.

It was out of nowhere, he had tried to dribble through a couple Mexican defenders but they poked it away. He regathered and in a quick motion turned and blasted it. Surely one of the best goals of the 2010 World Cup.

Argentina is up 3-0 in the 60th minute.

For Mexico, Adolfo Bautista came off for Pablo Barrera. Summing up Mexico's day, Barrera had a shot from a tight angle and took it rather than pass to a bunch of teammates that made the run into the box.

Guillermo Franco is on for Mexico with Andres Guardado taking a seat.

Tevez scores even though he's offside

Oh brother, can we get instant replay going before tomorrow's matches?

Carlos Tevez just scored for Argentina in the 26th minute and he was offside by a couple feet. Messi fed him and after his first touch was saved by Perez, Messi fed him again and Tevez headed it in.

1-0 Argentina in the 29th minute. Mexico just picked up a frustration yellow card by Marquez, who had a rough tackle on his Barcelona teammate Messi.

Understandably after the goal, Mexico circled the refs and freaked out. What a mess.

Hammer don't hurt 'em!

Carlos Tevez and Argentina almost drew the curtains on Nigeria with a 4-on-2 break in the 66th minute.

He dropped it off to Messi (always a good choice, albeit a little late) and Messi hit it just wide with his favored left foot.

Nigeria had a counterattack but nothing came of it then Higuain forced a quality save by Enyeama.

End to end action, love it.

1-0 Argentina in the 68th minute.

Scoring a hat trick in 12 minutes? So easy even a Caveman can do it

I had DVR'd the Wigan-Manchester City game this afternoon but I turned it on in about the 68th minute and boy was I in for a treat.

Manchester City striker and one of our current favorite strikers in the world (see Carlos Tevez All-Stars) Carlos Tevez saved his team with three goals in 12 minutes as Man City turned a tight game (and must-win) into a laugher.

With the win, City vaulted over Liverpool into fifth place in the EPL. They're two points ahead of Liverpool and two points behind Tottenham (who's in fourth place).

Conversely, Wigan is just two spots ahead of relegation (16th place) and four points ahead of Hull City (18th place).

Wigan defender Gary Caldwell had received a red card in the 55th minute (for a rough challenge on Tevez) which left Wigan with 10 men for the rest of the match.

Tevez finally came through in the 72nd minute after Wigan striker Paul Scharner and goalie Vladimir Stojkovic ran into each other, allowing Emmanuel Adebayor to tap it forward and then Tevez put it in the vacant net.

Two minutes later, Tevez finished a Adam Johnson cross that was flicked on by Vincent Kompany. He proceeds to run to the end line and take off his shinpad which has his new baby's name on it. How cute.

In the 85th minute, when Tevez gained possession in the attacking third, you had to know that he was going for the hat trick (ie. he wasn't going to pass it). After faking out Scharner and Titus Bramble, Tevez put his shot far post for the hat trick.

That celebration was even more mint as he jumped over the advertisement boards and into the loving arms of City fans. And that's how you celebrate a hat trick.