Slipping on the Schelottos*

By: Jeff | April 10th, 2007

(* Dang, that would sound way better if the guy’s name was “Scheletto” - it’d be kind of like the heels and speak of sleakness and high society.)

As is noted by “Kenny” in the comments to yesterday’s post (scooped by the commenters…dang…), MLS Underground posted something this morning suggesting the Crew is close (very close?) to signing a midfielder from Boca Juniors named Guillermo Barros Schelotto. And don’t that make you feel all grown-up? A Major League Soccer club signing a player from Boca Juniors? I thought only Europeans got a crack at that. Schelotto will apparently count as the Crew’s designated player, their very own David Beckham if you will (he’ll probably be better…tee hee hee).

The rumor/reality is intriguing enough all on its own, but it gets all the more sweet with a comment that appeared on my Week One Wrap post. This came from “juan” (who has a blogger ID, but no blog that I can readily find; but credit him for all that follows) who volunteered some well considered scouting of the Crew’s first coup since bringing Sigi Schmid on board:

“I’m a 23y.o. Boca Juniors hardcore fan, seasonal ticket holder since i was 6 and i can’t believe guillermo barros schelotto is gonna quit boca after 10 years for columbus.. he is the best player who ever wore boca’s shirt.. i honestly don’t know if the american fans will be able to stand his behaviour on the pitch… he talks a lot to the refs and opposite players, has an intense body language but he is never disrespectful.. He is the most educated player of South America. Having spent my holidays in DC, went to see DC United vs Olimpia.. i have no doubts Guillermo won’t have any trouble adjusting to the kind of football you guys play.. but the question is, will the fans be able to adjust to him? i don’t know.. i just hope he will stay in Boca.”

“All the best for Guillermo…All the best for Columbus Crew then.”

OK, I’d be remiss if I disregarded juan’s postscript; he’s certainly earned it for passing on inside dish (caps in the original):

“PS! OH, TRY TO WATCH THE SUPERCLASICO THIS SUNDAY.. BOCA-RIVER… PLACED NUMBER ONE SPORT EVENT A SPORTS HARDCORE FAN SHOULD ATTEND BEFORE PASSING AWAY ACCORDING TO THE GUARDIAN!”

Thanks again, Juan. I feel for you on this. OK, Columbus; here’s a look at (who looks a lot like ) your new man.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto

(And now it hits me. Holy crap! I’ve seen that dude play. If there’s one league I still enjoy catching at random internationally, it’s the Argentine league; I’ve seen this guy around and he did look a bit all right. Thanks again to both juan and Kenny; y’all made my work easy this morning. But I’ll be good and dig up more as I find it.)