Alfonso Quesada (pictured) is hoping to be in Alajuelense's starting line-up for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal, first leg match against visiting D.C. United on February 26, 2015. (Photo: Imagenes en Costa Rica)
ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – With usual starting goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton set to serve a six-match CONCACAF Champions League suspension, Alajuelense goalkeepers Alfonso Quesada and Dexter Lewis are each looking to earn the starting spot for the quarterfinal series against D.C. United.
The Manudos have reached the CCL’s knockout rounds for a second straight year and both netminders want to help the team progress.
“I feel highly motivated,” Quesada told the club’s website recently. “To play with Liga in a tournament of such international prestige is an opportunity for which you must fight and strive for to the maximum. The coaching staff trusts in Dexter and in me and we should respond on the field when it is required of us.”
Quesada also emphasized that despite the internal competition, Lewis and he are united in the overall objective.
“The goalkeepers department is completely united,” he commented. “We all support each other and we consult daily. We are aware that the paramount thing is group work. We are going to give it our all in each training session and match, and it will be [Head Coach] Oscar [Ramirez], who makes the final decision.”
Lewis has no doubts that the goalkeepers are committed to Alajuelense’s success.
“It is an important challenge that is presented to us,” he commented. “There is a lot of commitment internally. We are giving of ourselves to the utmost because we should be at an optimum maximum, an optimum level when we play the CONCACAF matches.”
The 34-year-old also noted that the rotation of goalkeepers has helped each player’s rhythm.
“Now with the rotation in goal we are getting a better rhythm and that is very beneficial,” Lewis finished. “We are professionals that bring a wealth of experience and we hope to give the best for this great institution.”
