MIAMI, Florida – Alajuelense of Costa Rica will be looking to claim their first Concacaf title since 2020 when they meet Nicaragua’s Real Esteli in the second leg of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup Final on Tuesday night at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Alajuelense arrive at the encounter with a three-goal cushion after their 3-0 victory in the first leg in Nicaragua on the strength of goals from Joshua Navarro, Michael Barrantes and Freddy Gondola.
With a win, draw or defeat by two goals or fewer, Alajuelense will be assured of winning their first Concacaf crown since the 2020 Concacaf League and will progress directly to the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16.
Alajuelense have gotten contributions from many different faces. Aaron Suarez leads the team in scoring in the tournament with four goals, Navarro has three goals and three assists, Carlos Mora leads the team in assists with four and 40-year-old attacker Michael Barrantes continues to turn back the clock with three goals and an assist.
Real Esteli have already made history by reaching their first ever Concacaf Final and their performance away from home in this tournament suggests that a comeback could be in the making.
The Nicaraguans earned 2-2 draws in the away leg of their quarterfinal and semifinal series and an early goal on Tuesday night would provide the momentum needed to make a push to even the series.
Key pieces like Arley Bonilla, Josue Quijano, Oscar Acevedo and Abel Mendez will have to come with their best.
Bonilla leads the team with 22 shots and has two goals, while Quijano took five shots in the first leg. Mendez was crucial in the semifinal series with a goal and two assists, and Acevedo has been a workhorse throughout with eight ball recoveries and 275 passes in seven games.
