HEREDIA, Costa Rica – The stage is set for the 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf League final as Herediano of Costa Rica and Motagua of Honduras meet in the first leg of the final on Thursday night at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero in Heredia.
In addition to earning a first ever Concacaf title, a berth in the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League will be at stake and will surely bring out the best of both teams.
Led by 2018 SCL joint-top scorer Yendrick Ruiz (5 goals), Herediano reached the final with victories over Santa Tecla (2-2, more away goals), Universitario (5-1) and Arabe Unido (2-1) and will look to flex its muscles at home like always in Concacaf competition.
Not only has Herediano not conceded a goal at home in the 2018 SCL, but it owns a five-match home unbeaten streak in all Concacaf competitions (4W-1D).
On the domestic front Herediano has found things to be more difficult and a fourth straight defeat in Costa Rica’s Apertura on Saturday prompted a coaching change, with club Sporting Director Jafet Soto taking over as interim boss.
Motagua will certainly fancy its chances in Thursday’s first leg. The Catracho side posted a pair of away wins in the 2018 SCL Round of 16 (0-1 vs. Belmopan Bandits) and quarterfinals (0-2 vs. Portmore United), plus scored an away goal in its away leg in the semifinals vs. Tauro (2-1).
In attack, Motagua boasts the two-headed monster of Juan Pablo Montes and Roman Rubilio Castillo who each has three goals in the 2018 SCL.
The visitors are also in fine form on the domestic front, with a five-match unbeaten streak in the Liga Nacional including victories in their last two matches.
It should all make for a very interesting and entertaining contest on Thursday night.