Throwing a rod & Rafa’s back

The bus carrying the Mexican National team to their training camp in Acapulco broke down near the town of Chilpancingo, leaving the team stranded for a few hours outside the Guerreran capital. Of all things, an Estrella de Oro bus came to the rescue. A few thoughts: why on earth would the Femexfut decide to go on a bus trip on what is one of the busiest highways during one of the busiest times of the year instead of a plane? Have you been on that highway during Semana Santa? It is not fun.

Claudio Suarez, the player who was expected to arrive last, actually was the first to get to the team hotel. He was very accommodating to the legions of fans by posing for countless pictures and signing just as many autographs. The team finally arrived close to midnight. The unexpected delay bought them a one hour reprieve. They got going this morning at 8:30 instead of 7:30.

News from the injury front: Both Zinha and the Cabrito passed their physicals. Let’s see how they hold up to a week’s worth of three a days. But the best news of all, Rafael Marquez has been cleared to play was included on the 18 man Barcelona squad that will play Milan at the San Siro tomorrow. He may even start. This gives Rafa almost 2 months to get match fit before the Iran game, barring any bus mishaps.