Luis Contreras (pictured) hopes FAS returns to the CONCACAF Champions League quickly. (Photo courtesy of the Impact de Montreal)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Luis Contreras says that FAS may have departed quietly, but not happily, from this year’s CONCACAF Champions League.
The experienced goalkeeper – nicknamed “The Motor” – was in the first XI for Tigres’ 0-0 draw against the visiting New York Red Bulls last week at the Estadio Cuscatlan.
"Thank God we got the shutout in order have a chance of winning," expressed the 31-year-old, who also played in a 1-0 loss at the Impact de Montreal on August 5. "We can go calmly, but not happily, because it's not the result we wanted. We were looking to win. We hope to continue improving game by game.
"We played against a team that has more international experience than us, but that does not detract from the fact that we also had to risk a little more to win.”
FAS (0-1-3, 1 point) was eliminated from the CCL after losing its third straight game in the competition, 2-0, at New York (1-1-1, 4 points) on August 26. It returned the favor in San Salvador and, as a result, handed Montreal (3-0-0, 9 points) the Group 3 title.
Over the four games, Contreras split CCL starting duties with Adolfo Menendez – son of the former FAS goalkeeper with the same name.
The Salvadoran side hasn’t won the CONCACAF club title since 1979, but it hopes to return to the CCL for a fourth time as quickly as possible.
"Now we have to focus on the local tournament if we want to return to the Champions League next year,” Contreras finished.
