MIAMI —The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup Final see Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the championship match for a third consecutive year when the Costa Rican side meets CSD Xelajú MC on November 26 and December 3.
The matchup presents the Costa Rican powerhouse with the unique opportunity of defending its crown once again and winning the title for a third consecutive year.
The conquest would also represent the sixth international title for La Liga, previously winning the Concacaf Champions Cup (1986, 2004) and Concacaf League (2020).
Washington Ortega: “I highlight the setbacks we've suffered”
“We're very excited about the possibility of achieving a three-peat,” LD Alajuelense goalkeeper Washington Ortega told Concacaf.com. “They're a team that plays very good football, they're strong at home, and they've also gotten good results away. They're going to be a very tough opponent, and it's going to be a great final."
The Uruguayan shot stopper has played a fundamental role for Los Manudos, being present in the starting lineup and playing every minute of the of the team’s eight matches thus far.Securing two clean sheets in the process, Ortega has made 26 saves, tied for second most in the 2025 edition.
“I highlight the setbacks we've suffered and how the team was able to bounce back,” Ortega said. “There was that first match that we lost, where we had to win three games in a row after orwe wouldn't qualify for the Knockout Stage, and we managed to do it.
“Then Motagua came and beat us at home, and we were able to turn it around. So, I think those moments are very important for the team's confidence, to see how prepared the team is,”Ortega added.
The 31-year-old closed out by sharing what the title would mean on a personal level and his gratitude to the club’s supporters.
“For me, playing in an international competition is a different kind of prestige and something very big,” Ortega said. “I'm very excited and it would be a great honor for me to lift an international title.
“We are grateful to the fans because they are always there. We have to try to give them that victory, give them the result they deserve,” Ortega concluded.
Ronald Matarrita: “I would love to be involved in this final”
“This fills me with excitement and a strong sense of commitment, since one of my dreams has been to be crowned champion being on the field,” LD Alajuelense defender Ronald Matarritatold Concacaf.com. “I would love to be involved in this final, to be on the field and fulfill that dream.”
Matarrita, who came through the youth ranks at La Liga prior to acquiring vast experience throughout his career in MLS and Europe, as well as with the Costa Rican national team, emphasized resiliency as the main characteristic to reaching the Final.
“We made mistakes, but I think what happens can be turned into something positive, and that's what we did,” Matarrita said. “The team has shown its capacity to bounce back and worked hard to ensure those adversities don't happen again. The key has been the team's resilience and patience to understand the game, and not get discouraged by some of the unfavorable scores we've had to face at times.”
“My favorite moment was the penalty shootout against Real España because you experience a moment of tension and responsibility, but also joy. We were calm and that gave us the mental clarity to win that series. Obviously, I'm also happy that I was able to score in the shootout,” he added.
“We are happy, and we are going into this final with full responsibility,” he continued. “The key to this final will be to give everything we have. We are going to go out there and do our best in this final.”
Óscar Ramirez: “Everyone at this club wants to win”
“It’s been a very difficult, very complex, and very close tournament,” LD Alajuelense manager Óscar Ramírez told Concacaf.com. “I’m very happy, and I hope we can continue doing it, because we also have to close out the series there in Guatemala.”
“Everyone at this club wants to win, and that’s our identity,” emphasized Ramírez.
The back-to-back title holders began the tournament in Group A and advanced to the Knockout Stage in second place with a 3-0-1 record.
LD Alajuelense then eliminated Honduran side Motagua in the Quarterfinals, advancing on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate. La Liga then triumphed in the Semifinals over another Honduran side in CD Olimpia, winning in a thrilling penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw on aggregate.
Ramírez, who is in the hunt of his first international trophy at the helm of Los Rojinegros, now only has winning the cup in mind.
“All the stages, the achievements of winning in Honduras, especially this last one against Olimpia which was more complex, were wonderful,” said Ramírez. “But in this sport, you're never truly satisfied until you achieve your goal. If everything goes well, winning the title would be the most beautiful moment.
“It would be the culmination of a very challenging semester in terms of management, and that would be an enormous joy,” Ramírez added.
LD Alajuelense begins its series in the Central American Final against Xelajú on Wednesday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
The return leg will be the following Wednesday at Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala City, Guatemala, where Ortega and La Liga could lift the cup for a historic third consecutive occasion.
