Time is now for superclub to reclaim its rightful place

Colombia's Radamel Falcao García has been key in River Plate's recent resurgence. AP

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Not that long ago, River Plate was considered perhaps the most feared club in the Western Hemisphere. Not only did it produce players of the highest stature (as it still does today), but it also constantly triumphed on both the local and the international stage.

The late 1990s were especially good, as the Argentine superclub won four domestic titles between '96 and '99, as well as South America's ultimate prize -- the Copa Libertadores -- in '96.

Those teams boasted huge star power, including Marcelo Salas, Juan Pablo Ángel, Julio Cruz, Juan Pablo Sorín, Santiago Solari, Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola and Marcelo Gallardo, all of whom went on to greater challenges around the world.

But things have changed dramatically over the last decade. It's now been 12 years since Los Millonarios last won the Libertadores, and its loyal fans have become accustomed to failure.

River has struggled in recent editions of the Libertadores, especially last year when it was stunningly eliminated in the group stage after home and away defeats against comparatively miniscule Venezuelan club Caracas FC. On top of that, River didn't challenge in either the Apertura nor Clausura championship last year, making it nine short seasons since it last won the domestic title.

To make matters worse, crosstown archrivals Boca Juniors have stolen the South American spotlight, enjoying an almost unprecedented run of success that includes four Libertadores crowns since River last hoisted the Cup. Meanwhile, on the other end of Buenos Aires, River wasn't just failing on the field, the club had been plagued with one of the worst hooliganism problems in the world.

After River's humiliating defeat to Arsenal de Sarandí in the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana last season, it was finally time for Daniel Passarella to step down as coach, as it seemed that it would be the only way for the Argentine organization to look ahead to the future.

If River wanted to recapture glory days of being South America's most respected club, it had to do something different -- drastic measures needed to be implemented. That was in part why Diego Simeone was appointed head coach last December.

The former Argentine international had practically zero experience as a top-flight coach -- he only retired from professional soccer two years ago. (He's perhaps best remembered for being the recipient of the retaliatory kick that saw David Beckham red-carded out of the '98 World Cup.)

But Simeone's new ideas and innovation were exactly what River was after. He worked wonders with former club Estudiantes de La Plata, guiding them to their first championship in 23 years in '06, and River expected him to do the same for them.

But Simeone's reign didn't get off to the best start. River kicked off the '08 Copa Libertadores with an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to lowly Peruvian side Universidad San Martín in Lima. Los Millonarios were completely outplayed by a club that was only founded four years ago, and after the defeat, heavy pressure mounted on "El Cholo" and his squad.

But they responded immediately. Since that horrible defeat, River hasn't lost in the Clausura and the Libertadores. With five wins, two draws and one loss in eight matches so far this season, Simeone's team looks more capable of winning a title than any River squad in recent memory.

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