TEGUCIGALPA – It will be a clash of Concacaf titans when Alajuelense of Costa Rica face Honduran giants Olimpia in the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League Final on Wednesday night at the Estadio Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
This marks the third SCL series between the two clubs, the most in SCL history. Olimpia defeated Alajuelense 3-0 on aggregate over two legs in the 2017 Round of 16 in route to winning the crown that season, while Alajuelense were 5-4 penalty shootout winners following the 0-0 draw in their 2020 single leg semifinal, paving the way for Alajuelense’s title conquest.
It will also be the 23rd official match between the two storied Central American clubs, making for an exceptional spectacle befitting of a Concacaf Final.
Alajuelense started the 2022 SCL in the Preliminary Round and overcame the likes of Aguila (SLV), Alianza (PAN), Alianza (SLV) and Real Espana (HON) to reach their second SCL Final. Olimpia kicked off their campaign in the Round of 16 and eliminated Municipal (GUA), Diriangen (NCA) and fellow Honduran side Motagua to appear in their second SCL Final.
Alajuelense boast a wealth of playmakers, starting with all-time SCL top scorer Johan Venegas, who has 16 career SCL goals and four assists. No doubt that he will be helped by midfield orchestrator and 2020 Golden Ball winner Alexander Lopez. The Honduran will face his old club with whom he won the 2017 SCL and will look to add a third SCL title to his collection.
Veterans Celso Borges and Bryan Ruiz also bring much-needed guile and experience to this Final, while 20-year-old MF Aaron Suarez can spark a team from anywhere on the field.
Home side Olimpia will counter with depth and talent of their own. Up top, Jerry Bengtson, with two goals in the current edition, is a threat to find the back of the net, while the ever-dangerous Michaell Chirinos is capable of either scoring or supplying a goal. No player in SCL history has more assists than Chirinos (8), and to boot, the midfielder also has six goals to his name.
A pair of experienced hands in Boniek Garcia and Brayan Moya also complement the Olimpia attack going forward, giving this Final a glittering presence from back to front on both sides.
Match Officials:
Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN)
AR1: Michael Barwegen (CAN) AR2 Christopher Wattam (CAN)
4th Official: Rubiel Vazquez (USA)
Game Notes, Stats, CD Olimpia vs LD Alajuelense
All records, former champions, Awards in the SCL from 2017 to date