River Update

River lost on Sunday. And when I say they lost, I mean they lost in spectacularly abysmal fashion. Belgrano scored a valid and beautiful goal off a set piece only to have it called back, and River took a 1-0 lead into halftime. It appeared that the prayers of River's massive fan base could will the team to victory.

Due to the outcome of the first match, River needed to win by 2 goals to stay in Argentina's premier division. They came out flat in the second half. Belgrano scored on a counter and then their keeper stuffed a River penalty kick that was dubiously awarded. The game ended 1-1. River al decenso.

River's hooligans, known as barrabravas, didn't wait for the final whistle. Fires were started, objects thrown, and water cannons were sprayed onto fans trying to 'sack the castle' and jump down the ramparts in 39 degree weather not counting the wind chill within the vast Estadio Monumental. Tellingly, US friends who registered with the US Embassy in Buenos Aires received an email last week to stay clear of the stadium and surrounding area.

The most disappointing outcome of River's collapse is that for at least the next year, and maybe longer depending how long it takes them to climb out of la segunda, there will be no superclasico, the River/Boca match up that is among sport's most passionate rivalries.

And River's prospects for a speedy recovery don't look certain. Daniel Alberto Passarella, River's socio-elected president has said he won't resign even while the coach stepped down on Tuesday. And River will find it hard to raise money as ticket prices will have to lowered and television deals will be "reexamined."

Ultimately, River's decenso is bad for Argentinean soccer. Plenty of taxistas have told me that the level of play keeps falling as home grown stars are pocketed earlier in their careers by the likes of Inter, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City. They called this tournament the worst ever. No beauty, they complained. With River in la segunda, interest across the league will drop as fans stay away. To use a baseball analogy, the Yankees draw a much larger crowd on the road than say, the Kansas City Royals do.

In the meantime, Argentina can't turn away from daily reports on River's troubles. While Boca fans and others smile with self-satisfaction (like my host family's son), River fans are trying to put on a brave face on the cold streets bundled up in their red and white winter gear. But a quick River return would be best for the league and the nation's ego.

In the meantime, the Copa America starts on Friday and Argentina's hosting. The home team is among those favored to win. A footnote, the only call up to the national team to come from an Argentinean club is River's keeper, Juan Pablo Carrizo.