MIAMI, Florida – Debutants Santa Lucia of Guatemala will be out to make a statement to the entire region when they take on Costa Rican giants Deportivo Saprissa in the first leg of the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 on Thursday night at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Appearing in their first SCL, Santa Lucia delivered two solid performances in a 5-1 aggregate victory over Metropolitan of Puerto Rico in the Preliminary Round.
Leading the way was veteran FW Isaac Acuna, who scored a goal in each leg against the Puerto Ricans and now the California-born striker will get a crack at one of the most decorated clubs in Concacaf history.
Not only have Saprissa been Concacaf club champions three times, but they also took home the 2019 SCL and finished as runners-up in the 2020 edition.
The Ticos have no shortage of playmakers, with MFs Marvin Angulo and Michael Barrantes among the all-time leaders in SCL assists with four and three, respectively.
Barrantes is also the oldest player to ever score in an SCL Round of 16 match, achieving that feat with 35 years and 11 months in Saprissa’s 2-0 win over El Salvador’s Aguila in 2019.
With other noted attackers and former SCL winners like Jimmy Marin and Christian Bolanos, Saprissa will a notable challenge for the Guatemalan hosts in Thursday’s first leg.
Games Notes Santa Lucia vs Deportivo Saprissa