Defenses to be put to test as Santos clash with Forge

MIAMI, Florida – The 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf League returns to action on Wednesday with the quarterfinal first leg between Santos de Guapiles of Costa Rica hosting Canada’s Forge FC at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Both sides arrive into the encounter feeling good about their performances in the previous round.

Forge FC posted back-to-back clean sheet results against Independiente of Panama, with a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Canada, followed by an impressive 2-0 triumph in Panama, improving their all-time record on Central American soil to 4W-2D-2L to reach their second straight SCL quarterfinal.

However, despite all of those previous contests in the region, Wednesday’s match will be Forge’s first test against Costa Rican opposition.

Forge know that if the going gets tough against the Ticos, they can rely on presence of Molham Babouli and Tristan Borges. Babouli has notched two goals and an assist in the 2021 SCL, while Borges has a goal and two assists.

Santos also handled their Panamanian opposition in the previous round with aplomb, eliminating Plaza Amador 3-0 on aggregate thanks in large part to a strong defense and a pair of goals from Erson Mendez.

The Costa Rican outfit have been very good at both sides of the field in the tournament thus far, with nine goals overall and just one conceded from GK Kevin Ruiz, who has made 13 saves in the 2021 SCL, second-best among all GKs.

Joining Mendez as a threat in attack is Osvaldo Rodriguez, with two goals on top of two assists along with a tournament-leading 19 shots. Helping aid the cause is Denilson Mason, who has chipped in with two assists.

Game Notes, Stats, Santos de Guapiles vs Forge FC