“In the long history of mankind (and also of the animal species) those who learned to collaborate and improvise more effectively have prevailed”.
- Charles Darwin
“Those who do not move, do not notice their chains”.
- Rosa Luxemburg
Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who proposed the theory of biological evolution by natural selection. Darwin defined evolution as "descent with modification," the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species and share a common ancestor. Darwin applied this idea to nature: creatures multiply and, in a competition for survival and reproduction, those who best adapt, those who are born with some advantage, come out ahead. They evolve. Naturally.
People set objectives in order to find growth and evolution. Athletes are constantly setting goals and objectives for the short, medium and long term. However, we are not always able to maintain the motivation to complete them as they are unrealistic or poorly formulated. In this sense, the issue goes beyond setting a goal, since the athlete and his technical staff must be able to identify the most appropriate goal.
In this sense we have been witness to change and evolution in our beloved Rebaño. The lightning like spread of a devastating, invasive virus and the changes this New Reality has brought about to our life style, have forced the boys in Red and White to undergo changes no one previously thought possible. The mores and norms have changed. The rules of the game are new.
Darwinesque. A modern day Prometheus, Victor Manuel Vucetich and Company have brought a new order to the team. New direction. A new hope. The New Fire. Not everyone will emerge changed/evolved from this historic moment. Only those equipped and ready for change. Those able to see the cards for what they are worth and double down on self-analysis. The change starts from within and those that can transform and evolve will remain.
This weekend we were witness to an evolutionary stage in Club Guadalajara’s development. And it was good. Saturday night Chivas visited Ciudad Universitaria with 8 changes in their lineup. Down 8 men due to illness, including Vucetich and 2 members of his Coaching staff. If you were fortunate enough to watch the game, you wouldn’t have been able to tell that the teams internal stress gauges were close to red. If you were able to watch the game you were fortunate enough to be witness to the sublime.
The starting 11 had one objective in mind, to seize their own destiny and pave their own road. They were close, very close to achieving their objective. Mostly because they believed they could. Those 11 are on the path to evolution.
In the 3 days since the game I have been able to catch up on the post-game commentary and found that unfortunately few observers have been able to look past the result, which obviously left the Red and White at a disadvantage for post season play, and pay witness to the magnificent change in Vuce’s Crew. Saturday’s starting 11 was close perfection.
Statistically, Pumas and Chivas were close to even. The major difference being the number of shots on target, UNAM had 6 to Guadalajara’s 3. Both teams were able to finish their attack runs, Pumas 19 times and Chivas 12, with 22 ending up as corner kicks, 11 apiece. If we read between the lines, the game was a hard fought back and forth by both teams on the pitch. Passing accuracy was an even 80% for both teams. Defensively, both teams showed solid footing, a bit too ‘solid’ at times, the Ref intervened 22 times, produced 4 yellow cards (3 for UNAM) and a Red card for Alan Mozo for a double yellow. Ultimately the scour ended up deuces for both teams, not much in the way of helping both teams find a better playoff position, but definitely one which confirms the Red and White’s steady improvement.
Guadalajara will not qualify in the top 4. Lost is the opportunity to host the single game matches which will define who advances and ultimately breaks through to the final two. Lost as well, a week long buffer to redefine and polish up those details which still need improvement. What is not lost is the opportunity to advance and ultimately lift the cup. Como dijo el Arriero “No hay que llegar primer, pero hay que saber llegar”. Prometheus brought the fire. It’s up to the boys in Red and White to show the world they know what to do with it.
