News briefs: Soccer

* Mexico’s under-23 team will not make it to the Olympics this summer after shockingly being eliminated in the group stage of the qualifying tournament held in the U.S. The loss has lead to increased calls for coach Hugo Sanchez to be fired.

* Meanwhile, Cuba lost their final two group qualifying matches and were our of contention after seven of their players defected last week.

* “FIFA are messing with the passion of the people,” declared Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona in response to the proposed ban in playing games at high altitudes.

* Argentine police are offering “a sizable reward” for information relating to the death of a fan before Saturday’s Velez Sarsfield-San Lorenzo match.

* After this weekend’s slate of matches in South America, there are surprise leaders in several countries: La Equidad (along with Santa Fe) in Colombia, River Plate in Uruguay, and Guaratingueta in Brazil’s Paulista state championship.

* Lastly, footage of the U.S. “streaker” during this weekend’s U.S.-Honduras U-23 game. (Link not safe for work!)

Sources- AFP, Reuters UK, The Latin Americanist, Los Angeles Times, International Herald Tribune, ESPN Soccernet, The Offside

Image- FC Dallas (“Members of the Mexico Olympic Qualifying team react to falling short of the next round on goal differential. (AP)”)