Muchachos: New England's South American Connection
Muchachos: New England's South American Connection
Ahora nos volvimos a ilusionar
Muchachos can be heard at every game played by the Argentinian national team since their run to the 2022 World Cup. The song, written by La Mosca and adapted by a teacher, Fernando Romero, is bellowed by the Albiceleste faithful as they celebrate their heroes. The lyrics, and their English translation, go:
En Argentina nací, tierra de Diego y Lionel,
de los pibes de Malvinas que jamás olvidaré.
No te lo puedo explicar,
porque no vas a entender,
las finales que perdimos, cuantos años las lloré.
Pero eso se terminó, porqué en el Maracaná,
la final con los brazucas la volvió a ganar Papá.Muchachos, ahora nos volvimos a ilusionar,
Quiero ganar la tercera, quiero ser campeón mundial,
Y al Diego, desde el cielo lo podemos ver,
con Don Diego y con La Tota, alentándolo a Lionel!I was born in Argentina, land of Diego and Lionel,
Of the kids from Malvinas, which I will never forget.
I can't explain it to you,
Because you won't understand,
The finals we lost, how many years I cried for them.
But that's over, because in the Maracana,
The final with the 'Brazucas', Daddy beat them again.Guys, now we're excited again,
I want to win the third, I want to be world champion,
And Diego, in heaven we can see him,
With Don Diego and La Tota,
Encouraging Lionel!
A pretty amazing rendition of the song can be heard by over 80,000 fans attending Argentina’s homecoming game at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires against Panama after winning their third World Cup.
Over the past couple of seasons, since the signing of Gustavo Bou in July 2019; the Revolution have had their own Argentinian heroes to root for. Bou was one of the most dangerous and at times spectacular attacking players in recent Revs memory.
His nickname, La Pantera, lived up to the hype. La Pantera no se va, se esconde. The Panther doesn’t leave, it hides.
Whether it was his first goal, a rocket of a volley from a Carles Gil corner kick against Vancouver at Gillette stadium, or his goals in the 2020 MLS Playoffs against Montreal and Orlando City, Bou left a lasting legacy in New England. With Bou departing the club after the 2023 season, and recently retiring from professional soccer, other young Argentinian players have carried on in his footsteps.
Muchachos, ahora nos volvimos a ilusionar
Since the start of the Bruce Arena era, and subsequently the Curt Onalfo era, the Revolution have made an effort to sign young, talented South American players. Most notably, Maciel, Dylan Borrero, Tomás Chancalay, and Luca Langoni. The club has clearly invested time and money to scout the region, which has resulted in the addition of multiple impact players.
Chancalay and Langoni carry on the Argentinian tradition of Bou. Chancalay has proven to be a dynamic attacking player with a cannon of a shot. Hopefully he can continue to add goals and assists to the Revs attack when he returns from injury next season. Langoni looks to step into the Revs lineup and contribute right away, once MLS regular season play resumes.
Chancalay and Langoni were signed from big clubs in Argentina, Racing Club and Boca Juniors respectively. Clubs that have history, and dominance in their league and region, producing the type of players that have been sold to some of the biggest clubs in the world. Why would some of these players, like Chancalay or Langoni choose to sign for the Revs and play in MLS?
MLS is changing.
The league is growing rapidly and more competitive than it used to be. Players now see MLS as an opportunity to improve their game and move on to bigger clubs in Europe. For Argentinian players in particular, we can’t ignore the impact of Leo Messi and how his presence might attract players that otherwise would not have signed here.
When Messi and Inter Miami played against the Revs at Gillette Stadium on April 27th in front of a record crowd, I was in awe. The only times I have seen crowds near that size were for a friendly between Brazil and Venezuela, and a pre-season friendly when Inter Milan played AC Milan.
Never had I seen anything close to that for a Revs game. I couldn’t help but wonder how many of those fans might walk away with a positive experience, maybe even interested in starting to follow their local MLS team.
I think that the signing of young, dynamic, talented players like Chancalay and Langoni help bring in new fans. Especially fans that follow South American soccer and the big clubs like Racing or Boca Junior. Fans that can get excited about a player they are familiar with, and now choose to watch live or on Apple TV.
There is clearly a large soccer fanbase in New England. There are a lot of existing and potentially new Revs fans with connections to Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and all of Latin America. For a long time, the Revs did not sign big name or exciting young players from Central and South America. The times seem to be changing, which is a positive development for soccer in New England.
The Revolution need to continue growing the game and making soccer more accessible to all of the fans in New England who are passionate about the game.
Being present in the community helps. Signing exciting players that people can connect with helps. And, of course, winning helps.
The Revs have an opportunity to go on a run these last 11 regular season games. Revs fans, have to get behind the team and root on their Muchachos. Nos volvimos a ilusionar.