The dismantling of the Copa Libertadores champion begins

Monday, 07 July 08, 05:56 PM · Comments(2)

After taking one of the most exciting Copa Libertadores finals in recent memory, Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito has started selling off valuable pieces of the team.

Let's begin with Joffre Guerrón. It was already known that he had several suitors lining up for his services. The 23-year-old right midfielder is with the "Albos" no longer, now part of the Getafe side in La Liga.

Another member of the squad that could be departing is the manager Edgardo Bauza. Because Liga won its first Libertadores title in team history while becoming the first in Ecuador to do so, "Bigfoot" might be headed back to a team that he used to manage, Rosario Central. The "Canallas", who happen to play in his native homeland, made it as far as the semifinals of the Libertadores in 2001. That was one of their better runs in the last several years.

But wait, there's more! There's also speculation that the Argentineans Norberto Araujo, Damián Manso, the Ecuadorians Patricio Urrutia and Luis Bolaños as well as the Paraguayan international Enrique Vera could be playing elsewhere.

Araujo and Manso (under contract until the end of the year) could make triumphant returns to their native Argentina. It's rumored that Araujo has sparked the interest of Lanús. Bolaños could also be playing in Argentina, but with San Lorenzo, which will now be led by former Boca boss Miguel Angel Russo. Vera could be heading to either Mexico or Argentina.

Striker Claudio Bieler could be staying put since his contract doesn't run out until the end of this year's second half season in Ecuador.

Finally, José Francisco Cevallos' career could be coming to end once the second half season concludes. It's hard to believe that he's close to 40 years of age and made some spectacular stops during the penalty kick shootout in the final against Fluminense last week.

Congratulations, Liga!

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