Hoops Home and Abroad: Ramiro Funes Mori stirs up some controversy

Welcome to another week of Big D Soccer’s coverage of your favorite players with ties to FC Dallas, the FCD Academy, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Ramiro stirred up some real national controversy this week, really opening up some old national wounds, and that’s pretty much the bulk of this week’s coverage.

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Europe

Weston McKennie (AP - Schalke 04/Bundesliga): Weston did not feature for Schalke 04 this week.

Next Match: Hamburger SV vs. Schalke 04, Saturday, April 7, 11:30am

Keaton Parks (DFW - Benfica/Primeira Liga): Keaton started for Benfica II, Saturday at Santa Clara. Keaton played the full 90, and Benfica II lost 3-2. Benfica II allowed the winning goal four minutes into added time, and have now lost three of their last four matches.

The loss sees Benfica II drop to 11th place in the Segunda Liga Table.

Next Match: Penafiel vs. Benfica II, Saturday, April 7, 10:00am

Ramiro Funes Mori (DFW - Everton/Premier League): Ramiro suited up, but did not play in the 3-1 loss against visiting Manchester City.

While Ramiro didn’t make any news on the field, he made plenty of news off the field:

Ramiro posted the following comments “The Falklands are Argentina’s.” and “April 2. The real heroes will not be forgotten.”

April 2nd in Argentina, is Day of the Veterans and the fallen in the Falklands War. A war that was fought between England and Argentina, back in 1982.

Needless to say, the British fans wasted little time in voicing their displeasure:

Many tweets were not fit for publishing, and the backlash was such, that Ramiro was forced to delete his post. While British fans were busy posting their anger at Ramiro’s comments, Argentinian fans were busy praising Ramiro’s bravery:

There are many posts from Argentinians, in support of Ramiro. Ramiro has very recently hinted that he wanted to return home, and it could very well be that his recent comments, may lead to just that.

Next Match: Everton FC vs. Liverpool, Saturday, April 7, 6:30 am

Mexico - Clausura Torneo

Alejandro Zendejas (FCD/AP - Atletico Zacatepec/Ascenso MX): Alex started Saturday at Juarez, and played the full match in a 1-0 victory. This was the final match of the Clausura season.

The victory sees Atletico Zacatepec vault to 4th place in the Ascenso MX Clausura Table. As a result, Zacatepec will be the 4th seed in the Clausura Playoffs.

Alex, and former FCD player Ezequiel Cirigliano, both started against visiting Toluca in the Copa MX Semifinals. Both players would play the full 120 minutes in a 1-1 draw that went to PKs. Zendejas missed his PK, and Atletico Zacatepec was eliminated from Copa MX 4-3 on PKs.

Next Match: Leg 1, Atletico Zacatepec vs. Alebrijes De Oaxaca, Sunday, April 8, 6:00pm

Atiba Harris (FCD - Murcielagos FC/Ascenso MX): Atiba Harris did not feature for Murcielagos in their season ending 3-0 loss to Atlante

Next Match: Season has concluded. Finished 14th place on the Ascenso MX Clausura Table.

Central America & South America

Nicholas Hagen (AP - Municipal/Guatemala), Blas Perez (FCD - Municipal/Guatemala): Nick and Blas both started Wednesday night against visiting Xelajo. It was foul mired affair, that saw seven yellow cards, and two straight reds, which saw both teams finish with 10 men. With Los Rojos trailing 3-1, and time running out, Blas gave the team some hope:

Blas would tally his 9th goal of the Clausura season, but Los Rojos would fall short in a 3-2 loss.

The loss drops Municipal to 5th place in the Liga Nacional Clausura Table

Next Match: Guastatoya vs. Municipal, Sunday, April 8, 3:30pm

Moises Hernandez (FCD/AP - Comunicaciones/Guatemala): Moises did not feature in Wednesday nights 0-0 draw at 1st place Deportivo Sanarate.

The draw keeps Los Cremas 8th place in the Liga Nacional Clausura Table.

Next Match: Comunicaciones vs. Deportivo Petapa, Saturday, April 7, 6:00pm

Anibal Chala (FCD - LDU Quito, Loan/Ecuador): Anibal suited up Sunday, but did not play, in a 2-1 home victory against Independiente Del Valle.

The win sees LDU Quito jump to 2nd place in the Primera A table, just one point behind Barcelona.

Next Match: Copa Sudamericana, Leg 1, LDU Quito vs. CD Guabira (Bolivia), Tuesday, April 10, 5:15pm

Major League Soccer

Chris Seitz (FCD - Houston Dynamo): Chris started Saturday, against the visiting New England Revolution. It would be a rough day at the office for Chris and the Dynamo, as Houston would find themselves down to 10 men in the 37th minute, and would go on to lose 2-0. Chris finished with four saves on the day.

The loss drops Houston to 8th place in the Western Conference.

Next Match: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo, Saturday, April 14, 9:30pm

Lee Nguyen (DFW - New England): Did not play last week

Brek Shea (DFW - Vancouver Whitecaps): Brek started Saturday in the Forward position, at the Columbus Crew. With Vancouver starting the second half down 1-0, it would be Brek to the rescue:

Brek’s second goal of the season, would even things up, and Vancouver would go on to acquire a 2-1 victory.

The win sees Vancouver to 2nd place in the Western Conference, tied on points with 1st place Sporting Kansas City.

Next Match: Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, Saturday, April 7, 8:30pm

Richard Sanchez (AP/FCD - Chicago Fire): Richard started Saturday, against the visiting Portland Timbers. Richard had a tough outing, as he only had 1 save, and allowed 2 goals in a 2-2 draw.

The draw keeps Chicago 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

Next Match: Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew, Saturday, April 7, 7:30pm

USL

Conor Presley (DFW - San Antonio FC): Conor did not feature for San Antonio FC this week.

Walker Hume (FCD - Orange County SC): Walker got his second start in a row, Saturday against the visiting Tulsa Roughnecks. Walker would help OC secure their second consecutive clean sheet, in a 5-0 win.

Aaron Guillen (AP/FCD - North Carolina FC): Aaron got his first NCFC start Saturday, at the Richmond Kickers. Aaron played center back, and had a fine defensive game, despite his team losing 2-1.

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