Skip to main content

Mascherano, Argentina’s captain without an armband

By WTOP Staff

KARL RITTER
Associated Press

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Copa America, 2011: Argentina’s Javier Mascherano hands the captain’s armband to Lionel Messi after being sent off late in regulation time in the quarterfinal against Uruguay. Argentina loses the ensuing penalty shootout as the host nation is eliminated from the tournament.

Since that bitter moment, Messi has held on to the captaincy of Argentina, but Mascherano remains the inspirational voice in the locker room.

Known as “jefecito,” or little boss, the 5-foot-6-inch (171-centimeter) defensive midfielder has fired up Argentina for what has become its best World Cup run since 1990.

“We’re in a place where Argentina hasn’t been for a long time,” Mascherano said ahead of the team’s semifinal against the Netherlands. “These opportunities come only so often and you can’t let them go by.”

Coach Alejandro Sabella decided to make Messi his permanent captain when he took charge after Argentina’s Copa America exit. Mascherano, Messi’s Barcelona teammate who had worn the Argentina armband since 2008, took a step back without making a fuss — just as he does on the pitch.

A hard-tackling ball winner, Mascherano stays behind when Messi and Argentina’s other attacking players surge forward.

His diligent work to recover possession just above the defensive line helps explain why Belgium’s attack failed so emphatically in Argentina’s 1-0 win in the quarterfinals.

“I think the word to use is intelligence,” Mascherano said. “At this stage you play with heart and soul but you don’t get anywhere if you’re not intelligent in the tactical aspect, managing the game.”

Clever though he may be, Mascherano has a tendency to lose his head in crucial moments, like he did in the 2011 Copa America.

While playing for Liverpool, he had the Premier League’s worst disciplinary record in the 2009-2010 season.

In a highly unusual expulsion last year, he was sent off in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador for kicking the driver off a medical cart as he was being wheeled off the pitch.

Mascherano so far has controlled his temper in Brazil and has no bookings heading into Wednesday’s semifinal in Sao Paulo.

The 30-year-old’s deep desire for Argentina to make an impact in the tournament is unmistakable. While many players speak dutifully about how it’s time the country ends its long dry spell in international football, Mascherano says it like he means it.

Though he’s the only player in the world who’s won two Olympic gold medals — in 2004 and 2008 — he has also experienced agonizing defeats with the Albiceleste, including two Copa America final losses to archrival Brazil and a 4-0 quarterfinal mauling by Germany in the 2010 World Cup.

It was reported in Argentine media that Mascherano got the team pumped up before the Belgium game by saying he was “tired of eating dirt.”

When a reporter asked him Sunday at Argentina’s team base in Belo Horizonte whether that was true, Mascherano laughed, but didn’t give a clear answer.

“I don’t know where that came from,” he said. “Obviously what’s said in private stays private.”

___

Follow Karl Ritter on Twitter at http://twitter.com/karl_ritter

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote