Ignacio “Nacho” Scocco scored twice in a 3-1 victory for Hughes FBC, marking what appears to be his final appearance with the club, according to multiple sources. The match, played on October 15, 2023, at Estadio Municipal de Hughes, saw Scocco net both goals in the first half, with the team securing the win ahead of its transition to a new league structure.
Scocco, 36, joined Hughes FBC ahead of the 2023 season, following a brief stint with a Liga Venadense club. His move coincided with the team’s relocation to the Liga Deportiva del Sur, a regional league in Argentina’s Santa Fe province. The club’s president, Marcelo Vázquez, confirmed Scocco’s departure in a post-match statement, citing “personal and professional reasons.”
The 3-1 result against Deportivo Rivadavia was described by local media as “a fitting farewell” for Scocco, who has spent the last decade playing in lower-tier Argentine leagues. His two goals came in the 23rd and 41st minutes, with the latter being a 25-yard free-kick that curled into the top corner. The victory lifted Hughes FBC to third place in the Liga Deportiva del Sur standings, though the team’s manager, Diego Rojas, emphasized the game’s symbolic significance over the points.
“Nacho is more than a player—he’s a symbol of this club’s resilience,” Rojas said. “His contribution this season, especially during our historic move to the Liga Deportiva del Sur, has been invaluable.”
Scocco’s career has spanned stints with clubs including River Plate, Lanus, and the New York Red Bulls, though his most recent years have been spent in Argentina’s lower divisions. His time with Hughes FBC followed a 2022 campaign with San Martín de San Juan, where he scored 12 goals in 34 appearances. The club’s sporting director, Laura Fernández, noted Scocco’s role in “stabilizing the squad during a period of transition.”
The match drew a crowd of 2,800 at Estadio Municipal, with fans celebrating Scocco’s goals with a coordinated wave in the 60th minute. Local journalist Martín López of El Nuevo Diario described the atmosphere as “electric,” adding that Scocco received a standing ovation in the 89th minute. No official announcement has been made regarding his future, but sources suggest he may retire or join a club in the Copa Argentina.
Scocco’s departure comes as Hughes FBC prepares for the 2024 season, with plans to expand its youth academy and secure sponsorships. The club’s move to the Liga Deportiva del Sur, which began in 2023, marked its first step into a more competitive regional league after years in the Liga Venadense. Vázquez called the transition “a bold but necessary move to elevate our presence in Argentine football.”
The Liga Deportiva del Sur, which includes teams from Santa Fe and Córdoba provinces, has seen increased participation in recent years. This season, the league’s average attendance has risen by 18% compared to 2022, according to Liga Deportiva del Sur’s official site. Hughes FBC’s performance this season has been mixed, with six wins, four draws, and three losses through 13 matches.
Scocco’s final match with Hughes FBC was his 17th appearance of the season, in which he scored four goals and provided two assists. His departure leaves a gap in the squad’s attack, with Rojas indicating the club will seek a “seasoned striker” to replace him. Potential targets include 32-year-old Argentine forward Facundo Farías, who recently left Cipolletti.
The match’s outcome also impacted the league standings. Hughes FBC now sits 12 points behind leaders Atlético Río Cuarto, though the gap is within reach for a playoff spot. Deportivo Rivadavia, the losing team, dropped to 1
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