Club America head coach Miguel Herrera (left) is interviewed during the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League draw on December 19, 2017, in Doral, Florida, USA. (Photo: Mexsport)
DORAL, Florida – Club America is eager to launch another foray into the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League after it was drawn Monday to face Saprissa in the 2018 edition’s Round of 16.
The Aguilas have captured a record seven CONCACAF club championships -- including two in the SCCL (2014/15, 2015/16) -- while Saprissa is the last non-Mexican side to lift the trophy, doing so in 2005.
“It a strong team,” said Club America head coach Miguel Herrera in reference to his team’s Costa Rican opposition. “We are going to work and study them well to prepare ourselves for that match.”
The only SCCL meeting between them came in 2014/15, when Club America prevailed in a quarterfinal series, 5-0 on aggregate.
Although the Monstruo Morado did not reach the 2017 Costa Rican Invierno final, Herrera expects to be tested and promises to take nothing for granted.
“The truth is that Saprissa is an important Costa Rican team, it’s big,” the 49-year-old finished. “It is a team that did not have things go well for them this season and was just eliminated from their competition, but I’m sure they are going to be well prepared for this match.”
In its last 13 SCCL matches, Club America is unbeaten (9W-4D-0L).
