Even funnier than Ortega getting a “fresh start” in Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina.

You’ll have to forgive me. I come from a family of substance abuse workers, so I’m naturally a bit of a cynic when I think about “fresh starts” and alcoholics.

He’s playing in the 2nd Division by CHOICE. Many first division teams tried to get his services (including his former club Newell’s Old Boys). My best guess is he realizes that there are too many temptations for him in the larger cities of Argentina and it’s better to go to Mendoza, where it’s more tranquil, to get well.

El Burrito is as big of a star as they come in Argentina, and I’m sure he justs wants to get away from it all. Personally, with the new coach and his former teammate (Sala) at FCD, I was of the opinion that this was the fresh start that El Burrito needed. We could’ve gotten him cheap and it would be our greatest chance in a long time to win a cup. With Ortega servicing Cooper we’d be unstoppable.

Okay, just a comment about the headline photo & comment . . . it’s no secret that while I AM a diehard FCD fan (I was out yesterday, thanks to the luck of having the day off from work), that I was and still am a Juan Toja fan(atica). Call it a “girl thing” or whatever. But I was talking with another lifelong FCD fan yesterday at the game, about Toja . . . right or wrong from FCD’s perspective, I can totally understand why he wanted this move — and there may have been broken promises, etc. that made it hard for him to truly want to play here, but I think it boils down to his dream/aspiration to play in Europe. Unlike Kenny, Toja is NOT an American, so he wouldn’t have the same ties to MLS . . .

So while I hate it that he’s gone, I understand why. I even understand why, once he knew about the deal, that he might have been more than eager to make it happen. (SIGH) Oh, well . . .

P.S. And being the Toja fan(antica), I may just have to learn Romanian . . .

And obviously were all dying for the Instant Scouting Report on the Argies.

And just curious – why didn’t Ricardinho play in the reserve game? Not even a token appearance? If he is a going concern, he should be playing. If not, then why are we wasting his salary and international spot?