TAKE A LOOK AT THE US OPEN 2011
The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
LETS LOOK AT THEM OFF AND ON PAPER. HERE THEY ARE …
AUDI
MARC GANZI – Red headed and it is him … fiery and very hungry to win.
NICO PIERES – The baby on the team, but he has the name and the skills. He will be better.
GONZALO PIERES JR (GP2) – Not much to say, but there maybe 1 person better at this time.
RICARDO ANDRADE – He has it all and he is from Brazil where they know sports.
This team will be unbelievable or not. It will not be 50 – 50 with GP2 at the wheel they could be the best, but he has a very big job to keep it rolling and it looks like his Brazilian could be the edge if they have the horses tomorrow … then we will get a very good idea.
BENDABOUT/COKE
GILLIAN JOHNSTON – Better than any 1 goal player in this polo and mounted to be that way.
MAGO LAPRIDA – Talent beyond his mind, but not ready to be second man yet.
SUGAR ERSKINE – Will always be there and will never slow down in this lifetime.
JULIO ARELLANO – Can he lead this team. He will have to be a master to get it done.
This team is just not as good as it looks on paper. They need more horses big time. They are disciplined to reach it’s peak.
CRAB ORCHARD
IGNATIUS du PLESSIS – A young gun for sure who may have to work more for big sticks and use less stick.
HILARIO ULLOA – Fastest man around who is very good at speed and accurate as well.
ADOLFO CAMBAIASO (AC) – He has been the best for a while.
GEORGE RAWLINGS – So strong and he will take a tank out, nobody picks like GR.
I am not sure why, but they are either waiting for the Open or there is too many sticks on this team. But it all could be part of a plan by AC. We will know as soon as Sunday.
FARAWAY
HUTTON GOODMAN –Ready and willing. Can he get their this fast? It is a big question.
MIKE AZZARO – He was one of the best and is still on fire, but can he be #2 on the team again?
NICK ROLDAN – He has the stick and he will be close, but not sure they are ready for this year.
LUCAS MONTEVERDE – He has been there and done it before, but this team not a good fit in my opinion.
I like the idea that Hutton is moving up and has been successful with these players, but themix is not right as I see it. I may be wrong and it will not be first time.
THE HAWKS
JULIAN MANNIX – Speed and desire … he just needs to relax breathe deep and shoot.
FRED MANNIX – Explosive and very fast. He could be best 3rd man in tournament and he will have to work.
MARIANO AGUERRE – He has been there and done it before. He just needs to be close and he can win.
MARIANO GONZALEZ – Solid as a rock, but one M has to be back and hit it.
This Team has two from the far North and two from the far South and when they meet in the middle it does not work. They need 3 in front and with their speed some space in between and look out.
LOS MONJITAS
CAMILIO BAUTISTA – Always there and he never misses much. He is steady and ahead.
AGUSTIN MERLOS – Was 10 and very close again. He is fast and tricky … just needs less drama.
EDUARDO ASTRADA – 10 and so tough. He might be best # 2 in polo.
SANTIAGO TOCCALINO – He is playing very solid and has no problem with 7 goals.
I’ve seen this team play twice and they are very strong for 5 chukkars. They just seem to lose it in the last chukker.
If they find the 6th look out for the Flamingos.
LECHUZA
VICTOR VARGAS – Its all about speed. He loves it and if he gets the ball he will run so fast.
SAPO CASET – Is playing very good and is as good as any of the 9’s both games I saw.
JUAN MARTIN NERO – As tough as Eduardo and very strong at all times.
MARTIN ESPAIN – Seldom makes a mistake and is always there.
This team can beat anyone on any given day. What they lack is seasoning and it is coming fast. Will it be in a week … that’s the question?
ORCHARD HILL
HECTOR GALINDO – Still running I am sure. I did not see this team play.
LUCAS CRIADO – Played good in SB for AC , but not sure who is leading team as they all run.
PABLO MACDONOUGH- 10 and very fast, but not sure who is back?? They all fly.
STEVE VAN ANDEL – He has the horses, so I am sure he flies too.
This team makes a lot of finals. I just think they need to trade a back from Piaget for speed.
PIAGET
MELISSA GANZI – She will be at # 1 and she will be running that is for sure.
NACHI HEGUY –Seems to be a day to day desire if wants to rock he will and if not then not.
LOLO CASTAGNOLA – Not 40 goal in Palermo, but adjusting slowly. He will be better.
JUAN BOLLINI – Playing very solid. There are just too many backs on this team
They need 1 back and they have 2, sometimes 3. MG is not that strong to be at 1 and 2.
PONY EXPRESS
BOB DANIELS – Not sure, but think he is out with injury
AGUSTIN GARCIA GROSSI – Did not see him play, but I’m told he is very quick and smart.
SANTIAGO CHAVANNE – Need for speed … he has it ! I’m not sure of the rest of the team.
BAUTISTA HEGUY – As good as he wants to be, will he lead this team?
Not sure who is playing and I’m not sure who will lead this team. It could be a tricky situation. I did not see them in a tough game and I have no idea who is replacing BD as there is lots of talk. I do not know who is taking that spot.
VALIENTE
BOB JORNAYVAZ – He is new to this level, but in his second year he is right there on top.
POLITO PIERES – With that name what do you expect? Yes he is very good.
MIGUEL ASTRADA – Been on top and has not gone far. He could get there again real quick.
NACHO ASTRADA – He will score 6 or 8 and rarely gives up that many. He is mucho suarte.
Balanced, experienced and they know the game. This team has the youth in front and a very determined Patron.
MA brings leadership. NM stops the attack with clever discipline.
ZACARA
LYNDON LEA – May take over for GR as the best Patron very soon. He likes to rock and roll.
SEBASTIN MERLOS – A man among boys. He is so damn tough and he will play team polo.
FACUNDO PIERES – He has it all …can he win it all? We will know this answer soon!
MARIANO URANGA – Playing 2 goals better than I thought he would. He is very solid and quick.
They have it all, but it has to come together quick and maybe it will. It is simple Man then Ball and … they will not be behind the wall.
ABOUT THE U.S. OPEN IT HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURNAMENT IN THE USA FOR 107 YEARS HOWEVER IT WAS NOT PLAYED FOR 4 YEARS 1942 THRU 45 BUT IT IS STILL HERE AND NUMBER UNO ON MOST WANTED TO WIN LIST.
The US Open has been played in many places and seasons depending on a lot of things weather, teams, politics and the economy I would guess has also been an important dial to where as well as Fields but this will be the 16th year in South Florida and it was also about the time US Players began to shrink in numbers all this seems to be just part of the game England was the same for many years and they worked to change it and did for a good part of the last couple of decades with rules . Here in the US it was never really considered until it was to late back in the 80’s Jack Oxley tried to make it happen, was stopped with the committee and here is where it began. At that time there were a lot of World Class players in the US but they were getting some new ones but nobody figured the numbers you had the Barrys , Smith, Evans, Wayman , Schere, Atckinson, Armour, Linfoots and Beveridge and no problem they said but the new ones were few as Azzaro,Rinehart, Galindo, Sieber ,Connat,Waltons and Baker were all that was left Sieber left Polo and it dwindled more when Waltons left due to injuries then Biddle and Offen and Kneece a bit later but it was getting less and less it was not today’s Patrons problem but it all got even more slimmer when the US Open was moved to Florida as now there was less high goal anywhere else and only one season of top polo to play and Peter Brant tried to get a super summer going but could not make it work so summer Polo became 20 goal and many Patrons grew old and retired to home polo or none at all and the chances for young players to come up became very difficult as the US became the place to make money if you could not hook up in the UK or Spain and players brought family and it was a good deal for them and the Patrons and the American pros really disappeared. A few have made it through Arellano, Blake, Escobar, Hall, Roldan but the number is around 8 of 3200 more or less look at the percentages and look at the rosters 4 Americans other than Patrons and Foreign players with US Passports out of 36 players not counting Patrons playing I do not think this is very good for US POLO and I know they say it is our problem and our players are not good but it is the same as Football or Soccer as we know it none of these countries would allow more than 25 % of the players to be foreigners in their big leagues it makes sense how do you get better if you can not learn and get to play or afford to go to Argentina and play for a couple of years to get the experience ? This is why I agree with the idea to become more stringent on building US POLO as well as the idea of the USPA helping build a base for new Patrons to become part of the game with schools and clinics which in this area they are not doing nearly enough. Why do you think Argentina, France ,Greece and Spain have become bigger in Basketball to the point they are, they support their young and it is paying off. Polo is not tennis or Golf it is a team sport and a very expensive sport in most places. I know we will lose some Patrons but maybe we will build some new ones and I am doubtful that many will leave the sport because of rules as they may say we do not need the crowds or the fanfare but I disagree if they say Sunday 3 p.m at Palm Beach,Santa Barbara,Bridgehampton,Greenwich does not make it thrilling just look me in the eye and say it again. If that is true why? Do you want to play high goal Polo?
Just my opinion and it really does not matter but it will be a very thrilling OPEN I do believe.
see ya