River Plate Relegated

[Remember The Alomar]

Don't know how many South American soccer fans there are here, but River Plate--the Yankees of Argentine soccer--were relegated today. The team has a massive amount of debt and been going down hill for the past few years so it's really not that much of a shock.

Here's a scene from the stadium after they drew (they needed to win by a two goal margin): http://www.clarin.com/deportes/INCID...506379373.html

Madness. The fans the other team, Belgrano, are still in the stadium due to safety concerns. Massive riots in Buenos Aires as we speak.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...plate-football

[atom_25]

Wow. No more Superclassico, which may be the fiercest rivalry in all of sports. I have not much of the Classura this season and had no idea they were in trouble.

[Remember The Alomar]

Wow. No more Superclassico, which may be the fiercest rivalry in all of sports. I have not much of the Classura this season and had no idea they were in trouble.

Argentina has a bizzare promotion/relegation system where they average the points per game for last three years and the 20th/19th teams are relegated. Top one and two teams from the second division are promoted. The 18th and 17th place teams from the top division then play the 3rd and 4th place teams in the second division in a play off format. River Plate has been really poor for the fast few years--it finally caught up to them. With the amount of debt they have, they may be down there for a while.

Funny thing is, Boca has been pretty poor the past few years as well. They may be down there soon. Sad to see.

[atom_25]

That is weird system. In general I enjoy watching the Argentine leagues- they play good footy for the most part and the fans are absolutely insane crazy, which makes for great atmosphere. There is also a midfielder playing for Estudiantes who is American, or eligible to play for the USMNT at least. He was good enough to make Argentina U-21's so he must be decent. Michel Hoyos

[Remember The Alomar]

That is weird system. In general I enjoy watching the Argentine leagues- they play good footy for the most part and the fans are absolutely insane crazy, which makes for great atmosphere. There is also a midfielder playing for Estudiantes who is American, or eligible to play for the USMNT at least. He was good enough to make Argentina U-21's so he must be decent. Michel Hoyos

Never heard of him. You have to think his chances to play for the USMNT are much, much higher than for Argentina's national team. No U-21 US caps is worrying though...