MIAMI, Florida – Reigning Scotiabank Concacaf League champions Liga Deportiva Alajuelense will begin their title defense in the first leg of the 2021 SCL Round of 16 against Guastatoya of Guatemala on Tuesday night at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.
Alajuelense defeated historic rivals Deportivo Saprissa 3-2 in a memorable 2020 Final and now the challenge of becoming the first back-to-back SCL champions awaits for the Ticos.
Alajuelense have no shortage of weapons, including FW Johan Venegas, who is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the SCL with 13 goals in just 11 games, winning back-to-back Golden Boots in 2019 and 2020 as a member of Saprissa.
Not to be outdone is MF wizard Alexander Lopez, who took home the 2020 Golden Ball for his outstanding overall performance in the tournament with a goal in five games. Lopez also has four career SCL assists to his name.
Alajuelense are also strong in the back with 2018 and 2020 Golden Glove winner Leonel Moreira, who registered two clean sheets and made 12 saves in last year’s tournament.
But Guastatoya will fancy their chances of securing a positive result at home. Winners of the 2020 Apertura in Guatemalan football, Guastatoya have some very interesting pieces that could make for a thrilling 180 minutes of football between the two,
DF Wilson Pineda is a calm, veteran presence on a back line that will be tested by Alajuelense’s attack, while veteran Mexican attacker Luis Landin has no shortage of big-game Concacaf experience, including runner-up finishes with Cruz Azul in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
Landin and company would like nothing better than to mount pressure on the defending champions with a first leg win at home.