No. El Palomo. Hard to believe. Actually, knowing Colombia as I do... http://eltiempo.terra.com.co/depo_f...tura/ARTICULO-WEB-_NOTA_INTERIOR-1508230.html We all know Spanish, right?
Andreas Escobar was the one killed in '94. Because the killers lost money in a bet due to his own goal. Haven't heard of the recent Colombian player killed though.
I thought the most reliable information is that Escobar was shot by a jealous husband, who saw the kerfuffle of the own goal as a way to cover the act.
For those of you who don't read Spanish, the article on the url doesn't say much. El Tiempo used to be a good newspaper until it was taken over in the 90's by a real scumbag (I used to read it everyday when I lived in Bogota). A summary is that former footballer Albeiro 'El Palomo' Usuriaga was in front of his house in Cali (the largest city in southern Colombia, known for its wonderful animated street socializing) playing dominos (a favourite activity for men in Colombia, especially in the hotter zones-this is played in a very physical & absorbing manner, and no one would have noticed anyone approaching). A single gunman approached on foot, shot seven times at close range and disappearered into the confused crowds on the street (this is very easy to do- the rule in Colombia is don't stop anyone and don't talk). He was dead upon being brought into the neighbourhood clinic. The police said they knew of no ongoing problems involving the ex-player and were not aware of any previous threats. The article goes on to briefly describe two other series of shootings over a period of five days in the same neighbourhood of the city. As usual, these crimes will probably remain "unsolved". Could someone give a summary of this footballers accomplishments, please, I was only somewhat familiar with him in passing? This is the best way to pay homage to him.
El Palomo Usuriaga was one of the first Colombians to make his mark in Argentine football. He was a mainstay with Independiente. He was part of that first Maturana generation (Valderrama, Rincon, Redin, Higuita). I could be wrong but he was known, as many from that crew were, for being a bit wayward and nocturnal. So many theories about Escobar's death have circulated. The consensus now is that he was confronted by drunken hecklers outside of a nightclub in Las Palmas district of Medellin. As he tried to explain himself, he hit a nerve and was shot. There was never any indication that the killer/killers had set out to kill him; it was a spontaneous, though still barbaric, act. Escobar was known as a gentleman, studious, educated and polite.
'88 - played with Deportes Tolima '89 - Atletico Nacional de Medellín, wins Libertadores, lost to AC Milan in Intercontinental cup 1 - 0. '89 - Scores goal that sends Colombia back to a WC after 28 years...Colombia 1 - Israel 0 '92 - America de Cali, wins Copa Mustang (Colombian league champion.) '94 - Independiente de Averllaneda - wins local tournament (clausura champions) and South American Supercopa. he also played in Spain, Mexico, Millonarios (Colombia), Barcelona (Ecuador), Chile...as far as I know. Cops are saying he was witness to a crime, and was shot by a minor on motorcycle, driver unknown.
Okay, I'm remembering him somewhat. He never was on any of the World Cup tournament teams, was he? Any more info on him would be welcome.
no he didn't go cause of his "off the field" behaviour, was excluded at the last minute from Italy '90.... i'll look around for more info on him...
Que vaina. To be left off of a Maturana-led team for off-field behavior has got to tell you something. Now may not be the time to mention it but I will anyway. Jokes about his, um, size, let's say, are common in Colombia.
Here is Wednesdays AP news release , in English: http://www.canada.com/sports/soccer/story.html?id=4B7E8021-C19C-43D5-9611-6AFC7B8DF2A7 It says it happened outside a night club. Other English reports say it happened while playing cards. I think that not much attention was paid to details in these reports.
Palomo Tried Out For New Englan Revolution of MLS I don't know how accurate the info is. Argentina, not Colombia beat Australia, not Austria, to go to the 1994 World Cup. I think the writer didn't know much about soccer, and probably just guessed when he heard the it was Paloma's goal that got Colombia into the World Cup. It was a goal against Israel in 1989 to get Colombia to Italy in 1990. "Revs work it out" by Gus Martins Boston Herald - Saturday, March 17, 2001 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Albeiro ``Palomo'' Usuriaga is a well-traveled Colombian whose passport has been stamped in Spain, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil over the years along the way to putting together an impressive soccer career. Now he's hoping for a similar marking in the United States. The 33-year-old attacker whose game-winning goal in 1993 against Austria in an inter-confederation playoff matchup put his country into the World Cup, said he is hoping to show he can still be a force on the field as he continues a tryout with the New England Revolution. ``I would think that at this stage of my career that a player doesn't come on a tryout,'' said Usuriaga. ``There's a saying in Colombia that if you `show me the luggage I'll tell you who the passenger is.' That's the way I'm coming in here. The coach here (Fernando Clavijo) knows who I am and what I've done in my career.'' Usuriaga is expected to be in the lineup today when the Revs continue their exhibition slate against the Colorado Rapids and next Thursday when they play the Chicago Fire. The forward who once had a 26-goal season for Independiente of Argentina, acknowledged that this is a peculiar time to be coming to the Revolution considering the team is working on fitness, and, over the last few days, tactical training. The practices have prevented Usuriaga from showing off his skills. ``It definitely affects me,'' Usuriaga said. ``I'm coming from America de Cali where I just finished a whole preseason and now I come to a team where tactics are still an issue. But I'm expecting (today's) match to be my day.'' Clavijo has been looking for a player with Usuriaga's height (6-foot-2) who might be able to assist Wolde Harris on the front line. ``He has the name and he has the size,'' said Clavijo. ``Now I want to see what he can do. Unfortunately, he can't live on what he's done. We need players who can come right in and perform. I'm not concerned with his age. There are people who have a career until 37, 38. It depends on how they take care of themselves. There are some who are finished at 29 or 30.'' Usuriaga said he has played as a striker in his career and as a wing player. He was often used by Colombia on the wing during the early 1990s when he earned 15 international appearances. Now, Usuriaga plans on taking full advantage of his opportunity. ``It's a new challenge and a new stage in my life. I've played in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and this is a new phase in my history and I want to try out and show what I can do,'' he said. ``Hopefully I can go back to the front pages of the newspapers and put a little pressure and perhaps go back to the (Colombian) national team.''
yea he was 37, and we played Israel for Italy 90, and he scored the goal in Barranquilla that got us in, after having tied in Israel 0 - 0.
yes, that's true, he was about 1.95m (about 6'5") so people used to joke aobut that, especially since on the field he looked so akward...the press even said that when he scored he had meant to shoot it of target, they made reference to the fact that when he had the ball, it looked like a indoor soccer ball next to him....he was the poster man for the Toyota Cup in '89.
A good, positive article on the significance of El Palomo's contribution and legacy to Colombian football. Viva Colombia! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_football/3491797.stm