Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona</a-Marquez is currently out injured(injury sustained during the Copa Del Rey) and he is expected to be out until after the clash with the US for World Cup Qualifying. Barcelona won 4-1 against Numancia in the return fixture of La Liga and continue to easily command first place.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)- Franco remained on the bench as he saw his team draw 1-1 against Osasuna.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)-Guardado is still out and he will miss the qualifier against the US.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)- Bravo has failed to make much of a big impression on the Galician side and once again had no activity in the game against Real Madrid in where Deportivo lost 0-1.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico)- Aguirre’s Atletico drew 1-1 against Malaga.

Hugo Sanchez(Almeria)- Sanchez has continued his run in La Liga as a coach and this weekend he saw his team pull out a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Carlos did not play in the 0-0 draw in the FA Cup against Cardiff.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Gio has finally made the news for playing football. This weekend he played 45 mins against Manchester United in the FA Cup having one very good chance during his time on the pitch. Spurs lost and they are no longer in the FA Cup.

Germany

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-The Bundesliga is still in winter break.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Carlos Salcido was accused of using the media to get a transfer and this week he silenced his coach’s rants about him with a goal. PSV’s game ended in a 2-2 draw against NAC Breda.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-Maza did not participate in the 2-2 draw against NAC Breda.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)- Moreno is still recuperrating from his injury.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Ankaraspor)- The player did not play in his team’s 3-0 win and he has strongly indicated that he would like to move away.

Ukraine

Nery Castillo(Shaktar)- The Ukraine league is still on break but Nery played 56 mins in a friendly.

Greece

Jaime Duran(Xanthi)- Duran has no activity in his team’s 1-1 draw.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)- Marquez was an unused substitute in Barca’s 5-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-Franco played 25 mins in the yellow sub’s 2-0 win over Mallorca.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)-Guardado played 28 mins before Messi ruptured his knee ligament. He will be out for about a month in a half.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)- Bravo did not play in Depor’s 5-0 loss to Barcelona.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico de Madrid)-Aguirre was part of history as he led his side to a draw against Almeria against fellow Mexican coach Hugo Sanchez.

Hugo Sanchez(Almeria)-Hugo was the second half of history as the duo became the first pair of Mexicans to face each other off the bench. Hugol’s team drew 1-1 against Atletico.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)- Vela stayed all 90 mins on the bench as Arsenal defeated Hull City 3-1.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Gio had no activity in the Spur’s draw against Portsmouth(1-1)

Germany

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-Is still having a nice winter break until the Bundesliga resumes at the end of January.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Carlos Salcido had no action on the pitch as his team drew 1-1 against Roda JC Kerkrade.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)- Maza did not play in PSV’s draw against Roda JC Kerkrade.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)-Moreno is still out injured from a foot injury in December.

Ukraine

Nery Castillo(Shaktar)-It’s rumoured that Castillo played a friendly game for his new team. He played 67 mins and scored 1 goal.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Ankaraspor)-The Turkish league has not yet resumed. De Nigris did however try to get a loan to Cruz Azul, but failed to do so because of the Gentlemen’s Agreement that exists between his old club Monterrey and the rest of the Mexican clubs.

Greece

Jaime Rodan(Skoda Xanthi FC)- Duran did not participate with his new club as they drew 1-1 against Larissa.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)-For the clash against Osasuna Marquez was left out because of suspension. Barca won the clash 3-2.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-Franco did not feature in Villarreal’s 3-3 against Valencia.

AndresGuardado(Deportivo La Coruna)-Guardado played 75 mins before being replaced. Deportivo lost the game but Guardado provided the assist in their 1-3 loss.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)-Bravo has been getting more time and in the 1-3 loss against Sevilla he played 25 mins.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico De Madrid)- Atletico fell this week to Athletic Bilbao 2-3. The team currently resides in 5th place.

Hugo Sanchez(Almeria) - It’s crazy to think, but Hugo Sanchez went back to Spain…as a coach. His squad drew this week against Espanyol and sit in 15th place.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Little Carlos seems to have a strong impact whenever he comes on by breathing a new life into the team and this weekend was no different. He played 26 mins and had a great shot on goal as the Gunners won 1-0 against Bolton.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Spurs continues to tank and along with them Gio goes. They lost this weekend to Wigan and now sit in the 18th spot. A move for Gio looms on the horizon.

Nery Castillo (ManCity)-After completing the year long loan to Man City, Nery has returned to Shaktar who still holds his future in his hands.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)
-Pardo will no longer feature in this section as he has moved back to Mexico to play with team America. He had a good run in Germany, winning the Bundesliga in his first season(06-07) and playing in the Champions League(07-08).

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-The Bundesliga is currently on break.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-Like Pardo, Galindo decided to ply his trade somewhere else and returned to Mexico to join Chivas. Unlike Pardo, he did not win anything but he had started to secure a starting spot before making the move.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-The Eredivisie has not yet resumed but there are strong rumors surrounding Salcido and his desire to leave the team because of problems with the coaches.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-Like his compadre, Maza also has expressed his wish to move on because his lack of playing time has cost him a place on the national team.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)- The only one currently in the Netherlands who seems to be content where he is, Moreno is out for about 2 more months after suffering from an injury. AZ are currently on top of the table.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Ankarasapor)-Did not have any activity.

Greece

Jaime Durán(Skoda Xanthi)-Duran moved to Greece from Morelia and will be there for the next 6 months. Good Luck.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)- He was pegged to do more in El Classico but the Kaiser still had an awesome game without any trouble. Marquez featured in his 200th match for Barca, played all 90 mins, received a yellow in the 40′, and helped Barca to a 2-0 win over Real Madrid. They now sit as sole leaders on top of the La Liga Table.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)- Villarreal lost 0-1 to Sevilla this weekend while El Guille returned to the side to play 15 mins in the game. The Yellow Sub is now 4th in the standings.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo)- Guardado played all 90mins as Depor lost 3-0 to Vallalodid .

Omar Bravo(Deportivo)- Omar Bravo has been getyting more time in games and this time he was introduced 60 mins into the game. Depor sit in 7th place after the loss to Vallalodid.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico)-Atleti’s win this weekend against Betis showed that at the moment El Vasco’s team are the best in Madrid. They jumped over their rivals to sit in the 5th spot.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Vela did not feature in the game against Middlesborough in which the Gunners tied 1-1 but he did make the bench for the game.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)- Still recovering from his ankle injury but in the mean time he’s doing what every other recovering footballer does at the team Christmas party…getting crunk.

Nery Castillo(Man City)-Not getting crunk in public and waiting for the transfer window to open.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)-Pardo did not play this week against Bayern Munich as he has still not fully recovered from his muscular problems.

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-Osorio played all 90 mins as Stuttgart tied 2-2 against 2nd place Bayern Munich.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-Aaron Galindo returned back to the side after being punished for arriving back late from his tour in Mexico with El Tri. He played all 90 mins as Frankfurt lost to Hamburg.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Salcido played all 90 mins against Vitesse Arnhem as PSV continue to slide away.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)- Maza was an unused sub in the 1-1 draw against Vitesse.

Aaron Galindo(AZ Alkaamar)-Poor Aaron. He had a good run going as AZ Alkaamar currently sit as the sole leaders of the Eredivisie. He had cemented down a starting place in the first team and had put in some solid performances but this weekend he suffered a foot fracture that is set to have him out for 2 to 3 months. Moreno was injured in the 20th min in the game that saw Alkaamar win 1-0 over Feyenoord. Speedy Recovery!

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Anaranksapor)- De Nigris didn’t play as his team won 2-0 against Denizlispor.

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)-

Great game from the Kaiser, who controlled Villa very well.

That’s the very description at Barca’s offside page. Marquez played all 90 mins in the 4-0 win over Valencia. Next week, El Classico.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-El Guille did not see any action this week in The Yellow Sub’s 3-3 draw against Getafe.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)- Guardado played 59 mins before he was taken off during the 2-0 win over Malaga.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)-Bravo finally scored although it was via penalty. He converted from the spot during the 69th min. He played 45 mins.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico De Madrid)- Aguirre’s Atleti were called “Lethal” by El Mundo Deportivo and that’s just what they were as they put 5 past Gijon this weekend for a 5-2 win. They sit in 6th place tied with Deportivo.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)- Carlos Vela did not play in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wigan.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Is still getting better from his ankle injury.

Nery Castillo(Man City)-Should I even mention Nery Castillo anymore? Maybe it’s better to wait until we know where he is headed off to.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)- Pardo has been having some muscular problems. He is hoped to recover for the games against Bayern and Liege.

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)- Osorio played all 90 mins in the win over Energie Cottbus.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-After cementing a place in the first team squad, Galindo is now experiencing punishment because he reported back late after his participation with El Tri.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Salcido played 90 mins in the 4-0 win over Groningen.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-Maza was an unused sub.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkamaar)-Moreno played all 90 mins in the 2-0 win over Heracles that sees AZ take sole leadership of the Eredivisie table.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Anaranksapor)-Didn’t play in the 3-1 win over Besiktas.

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)- Had a very solid performance as Barca beat Sevilla 3-0. He played all 90 mins and received a yellow in the 61st.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)- Did not play in the Yellow Sub’s 2-1 win over Recreativo.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna
)-Guardado played well this week against Almeria and provided 1 assist in the game.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)-Did not play this weekend.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Carlos Vela stayed on the bench this week during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Is still recovering from an ankle injury.

Nery Castillo(Man City)-Nery’s just lying low for a while until the January transfer window opens up where he will most likely end up somewhere in La Liga.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)-Pardo played all 90 mins in the 2-0 win over Schalke.

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-Osorio played all 90 mins in the weekend win over Schalke.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-Galindo was an unused substitute during the huge defeat by Werder Bremen. He missed out on a 5-0 game.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)--Salcido played all 90 mins in the 2-2 draw against Heerenveen.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-El Maza played 81 mins against Heerenveen.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)-Moreno played all 90 mins in the 2-0 win over Groningen. He also received a yellow card.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Anaranksapor)- This week De Nigris played for 20 mins as his team lost 1-0 against Ankaragucu.

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)-Did not play in Barca’s 1-1 draw against Getafe. Barca is still top of the league with 29 points and will play Sporting midweek in the Champions League.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-Franco played all 90 mins as the Yellow Submarine was sunk by 3 Vallalodid goals.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)-Guardado played all 90 mins and scored a goal in Deportivo’s 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)-Bravo did not play in Deportivo’s 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao. Depor now sit 7th in La Liga with 18 points and tied with Atletico Madrid.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico Madrid)-Atleti tied 1-1 this week against Numancia and are gearing to go for the midweek clash against PSV that will be played behind closed doors. Atleti are now 6th in La Liga.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Arsenal’s outside problems(Billy Gallas, I’m looking at you) continued on to the field as Arsenal lost 0-3 against Manchester City. Vela played 20 mins in the clash.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Gio was still out for the Spur’s 1-0 win against Blackburn.

Nery Castillo(Man City)-Trying to find Nery Castillo’s whereabouts is like finding Waldo…it’s almost impossible. He did not play for Manchester City this weekend as they beat Arsenal 3-1.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)- Pardo did not play this week because he was given a break after coming back to Germany after international duty.

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-After scoring a goal in Mexico’s loss against Honduras in WC qualifying, Osorio did not play in Stuttgart’s 1-4 loss against vfL Wolfsburg.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-Galindo did not feature in his team’s 4-0 win over Hannover.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Salcido played 67 mins in PSV’s 4-0 win over Heracles Almelo.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-Maza opened up his scoring account in the Netherlands with a shot outside the area that gave PSV a 1-0 lead. He scored in the 15th min in PSV’s 4-0 win.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)-Moreno played all 90 mins in his team’s 2-0 win over Ajax. AZ Alkaamar now sits on top of the table.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Anaranksapor)-De Nigris played in the goalless draw against Galatasaray. His team now sits 2nd in the Turkish league.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)-Marquez had a very good game. He showed up at the right time and is at a high level this season. Barcelona is looking like the best team in the world at the moment and Marquez is part of that solid defense. The game against Recreativo Huelva didn’t provide as many goals as previous games have accustomed us to expect but it was sold nonetheless. 2-0. Marquez played all 90 mins and Barcelona are now top of the table.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-El Guille Franco only played 14 mins in the game against Malaga in which the Yellow Submarine drew 2-2.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)- After last week’s impressive game, Depor went slightly down and lost 4-1 to Atletico. Guardado played all 90 mins.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)-Bravo only made the bench for the game. Midweek he scored his first goal for Deportivo.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico De Madrid)-Atleti won this week 4-1 against Deportivo. Great result for an Atleti that has been up and down.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Vela played 22 mins. He had a pretty good game. He had a superb moment of magic in which he chested down the ball for Adebayor. The ball didn’t seem to want to go into the back of the net and Arsenal lost 2-0 to Aston Villa. Right before the second goal Carlos was fouled at the edge of the area but the ref didn’t call it and that led to the goal for Aston Villa. Otherwise it was at a very dangerous position. Midweek he scored an incredible goal against Wigan.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)- Gio is currently out with a knee injury. Spurs lost 2-1 against Fulham.

Nery Castillo(Manchester City)- Nery is MIA for Man City and is currently with the Seleccion.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)- Pardo played all 90 mins in Stuttgart’s 0-0 tie against Arminia Belefield.

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-Played all 90 mins.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-Eintracht lost 4-0 against Borussia Dortmund and Galindo played all 90 mins.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Salcido played all 90 mins in the loss to rivals Ajax. The Dutch champs lost 4-1 to Ajax and it wasn’t the Mexican pair’s best day.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)- Maza played all 90 mins but was humiliated in the 4-1 loss to Ajax.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)-Moreno played all 90 mins in the game against Vitesse where the teams tied 0-0.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Anaranksapor)-Anaranksapor lost 2-0 against Fenerbahce.

Everyone gather around as I prepare to tell a story about my mom. My family is full of a bunch of soccer fanatics. This week La Seleccion came to play a friendly against Ecuador near my home. Sadly, this was at an unfortunate time. Any other time the family would have piled up into the car and headed towards the stadium. This time we had the trouble of choosing whether to watch the Chivas game or the Mexico game. This turned out to be a clear case of club vs country. The Club won out. Also, there was a phone call that we were dreading to receive. Unfortunately, my grandfather had been very sick and well we were expecting the dreaded phone call. So we kept away from the game just in case. The night passed and my grandfather did not make it(RIP). So early that morning my mom had to catch an early flight out to her family and at the same time she was at the airport ticketing and all that jazz the Seleccion turned up. She chatted with all of them(or so she tells me) and even made Ochoa blush. Turns out no one at the airport gave a hoot about who they were. A couple of fans did follow them there but they weren’t allowed very far past airport security.

So as they went in to catch their flight my mom took pictures with a few of them. Security asked what the big deal was with these guys and my mom explained who they were and what they had been there for. And she explained who the guy in front of her was(Memo Ochoa). We hate America but my mom obviously has a small crush on the goalkeeper and she said he was the best in Latin America, blah blah. She then translated what she’d said and she claims that he laughed and his face became flushed. She saw “the brow” as well but didn’t take any photos with him. My mother does not like Nery at all so she bypassed that opportunity. She also took a picture with a big group although she couldn’t tell exactly who they were. All she remembers is telling them as the players went by to come over and take a picture. I’m sure airport security thought she was crazy for grabbing them randomly and forcing everyone to stare into her cell phone forcing them to say “cheese”. So in a way my grandfather left her a small gift of his own, a brief moment of happiness.

She was with the players for a bit of time while they waited at the departing gate. Luckily, none of the “regulars” were there or I’m sure security would have been called(I’ve been traumatized of encounters with players with her there). If anyone knows how to upload photos from a Sprint cell that’s not hooked up to the internet and the pictures are not saved on a memory card, I’d be glad to share. And if you were wondering, no she did not leave on the same flight. Mexico flies on AeroMexico and she left on a different flight.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)-Had a good game in the thrashing of Valladolid. Marquez received a 9 from the Barca offside guys for his work. He played 68 mins and Barca currently sit on top of the table.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-Franco played 38 mins in the Yellow Submarine’s 2-1 win over Almeria.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)- Guardado made us proud this week. The Little Prince scored the only goal in Deportivo’s 1-0 win over Espanyol. It was a great goal too. He played all 90 mins.

Yes, the blurry object is him.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)-Was not called up to play.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico De Madrid)- Atleti drew nil-nil with Osasuna this weekend and they sit 7th in the league.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)- Vela saw action from the bench in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)- Gio is currently out with a knee injury and he did not play in Spurs’ 2-1 win over Man City. It is unsure of how long his injury will last but it will be reviewed by the FMF to determine his possible call-up to El Tri against Honduras.

Nery Castillo(Manchester City)- Nery was on the other side of the world with Las Chivas gearing up for the Mexico friendly against Ecuador on Wednesday in Phoenix so he did not participate in Man City’s 1-2 loss to Tottenham.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)- Pardo played all 90 mins in the game against Frankfurt this week which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-Played all 90 mins and received a yellow card.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-Galindo played all 90 mins in Frankfurt’s 2-2 draw against Stuttgart and received a yellow card.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Salcido played all 90 mins in the loss to NEC Nijmegen which was said to be the biggest dissapointment this season.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)- Was an unused substitute.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)-Moreno played all 90 mins in the game against Twente in which Alkaamar won 3-0.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Anaranksapor)-De Nigris is seeing his name come back to the team sheet as he participated in Anaranksapor’s 2-0.win overEskisehirspor.