SCCL Review: Saprissa

Saprissa (pictured) gathers for a team photo prior to its Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League match against the host Portland Timbers on October 19, 2016, in Portland, Oregon, USA. (Photo: Mexsport)

With three days left in the year, CONCACAF.com has three more 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalists to examine.

Today, we review Costa Rica’s Saprissa, which finished first in Group B, coming out on top by the narrowest margin of any of the eight group winners – one point ahead of the Portland Timbers.

SAPRISSA (2W-2D-0L; 11GF, 3GA)

Group Stage Summary

Saprissa didn’t lose any of its four Group B games, but it followed what has proven to be a successful formula by winning twice at home and drawing twice away. The Monstruo Morado was dominant offensively at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma, outscoring its opponents 10-2. On the road, a stingy defense proved to be extremely effective as two outings ended in a combined score of 1-1. Another interesting aspect of Saprissa’s campaign was its ability to take control of a match early, netting seven of its 11 goals in the first half. In 360 minutes of play, it trailed in a match for only 27 of those.

Group Stage Highlight

In the sixth minute of a Week 4 match, Diego Valeri gave the visiting Portland Timbers a 1-0 lead over Saprissa. The host responded by striking for three unanswered goals to take a two-goal lead and ultimately win, 4-2. That performance was impactful in two ways. It showed Saprissa that it was capable of responding positively to adversity, while letting Portland know that it would have to play almost flawlessly in order to capture the group title.

Key Player

Six players accounted for Saprissa’s 11 group-stage goals, while five assisted on eight of those strikes. However, only Marvin Angulo scored three goals and set-up two others. The 30-year-old midfielder turned in assured performances in all four games, showing an eye for the intelligent pass. He coolly converted two penalty kicks in the 4-2 win over Portland. Angulo’s overall presence instilled confidence in the side.

After the Group Stage

Saprissa won its record-extending 33rd Costa Rican league title by finishing first in both the 2016 Invierno regular-season (15-4-3) and Quadrangular (4-1-1) standings. The Monstruo Morado scored a league-high 63 total goals and conceded a league-low 23. Significant roster moves have been made since the end of the season. Gone are defenders Adolfo Machado (Houston Dynamo) and Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United) and midfielders Juan Bustos Golobio (loaned to Cartagines) and David Guzman (Portland Timbers), while midfielder Hansell Arauz will be out for an extended time with an ACL injury. In are midfielder Keven Aleman, goalkeeper Aaron Cruz, and defenders Dave Myrie and Yostin Salinas.

2016/17 SCCL MATCHES

GROUP B

18.08.16 Saprissa 6, Dragon 0

Rolando Blackburn 4', 88’; Francisco Calvo 11'; Marvin Angulo 19'; Mariano Torres 22'; Ulises Segura 89'

25.08.16 Dragon 0, Saprissa 0

Eduardo Herrera 66'; Saul Berjon 90'+2

14.09.16 Saprissa 4, Portland Timbers 2

Ulises Segura 33'; Marvin Angulo 45' pen, 79’ pen; Fabrizio Ronchetti 60' / Diego Valeri 6'; Fanendo Adi 68'

19.10.16 Portland Timbers 1, Saprissa 1

Jack McInerney 57’ / Rolando Blackburn 23’

QUARTERFINALS

21.02.17 Saprissa v Pachuca (Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma – Tibas, San Jose, Costa Rica)