Soccer players never get tired of playing the game.
That’s what this page is all about.
Where your FIRST TOUCH SOCCER book ends, the FREE KICK page begins.
It’s a chance for you to learn more about River Plate … and for me to talk about some of the great stories I couldn’t squeeze into the book.
Scroll down to get the latest news … and to learn more about Argentinian soccer. And check out some of the cool collectibles I have in my home.
Enjoy this site, check back whenever you like, and contact me with any questions or comments.
Breaking News
What’s up with C.A. River Plate
September 22, 2020: River Plate destroyed Peruvian club Binacional 6–0 in a Copa Libertadores match. They had beaten the same club 8–0 in a March 2020 meeting, before the coronavirus pandemic delayed the tournament.
March 7, 2020: Although River Plate fans didn’t realize it, their club’s 1–1 draw with Atletico Tucuman cost them a share of Argentina’s Premier Division championship. Boca Juniors won that day and was one point ahead when the season ended due to the coronavirus. Rafael Santos Borre led the club with 12 goals.
August 17, 2019: River Plate destroyed defending league champion Racing Club 6–1, with Rafael Santos Borré scoring twice. It was the most goals the club had scored against its longtime rival since 1962.
March 14, 2018: River Plate defeated Boca Juniors 2–0 in the Supercopa Argentina. Ignacio Scocco and Gonzalo Martinez scored for River Plate, which won the Supercopa in 2014 and 2016.
December 9, 2017: River defeated Atletico Tucuman 2–1 to win the Copa Argentina for the second time in team history. Ingancio Fernandez scored the winning goal early in the second half. Midfielder Enzo Perez was named Man of the Match.
Primera Division & Copa Argentina
Collector’s Corner
More treasures from the author’s collection!
Fun Facts
Did You Know?
• The club’s River Plate name comes from the English “translation” of Rio de la Plata. Actually, Rio de la Plata is Spanish for River of Silver. During the building of Buenos Aires Port in 1901, a group of construction workers took a break to play a soccer game. The crates they were working with at the time were stamped “The River Plate” and the name just stuck.
• River Plate’s first international star was Bernabe Ferreyra. He scored 185 goals in 200 matches for the club during the 1930s. He was the first South American player to have a movie made about his life.
• In 2014–15, River Plate became the first team to hold titles in all four of CONMEBOL’s international championships at the same time. CONMEBOL is the South American soccer federation. The four championships were the 2014 Copa Sudamericana, 2015 Recopa Sudamericana, 2015 Copa Libertadores, and 2015 Suruga Bank Championship—a match between the top team in South America and Japan’s top team.
• Club Atletico River Plate sponsors teams in other sports, including basketball, volleyball, and handball. Its women’s field hockey team is one of the best in the country.