Saprissa “Wins” Title
Although the "Guerreros del Sur" gave it their best shot, the tradition won out in the end and Saprissa claimed their title at home in a penalty shootout. Perez Zeledon took the lead in the 26th minute on a goal by Kenny Cunningham. They were able to hold the lead until literally the last minute, when a penalty shot was awarded in the 94th minute by referee Édgar Durán. Ronald Gomez fooled the goalie Dexter Lewis to convert the penalty and to force overtime. The penalty was a controversial call, for several reasons: many replays show no contact or very little contact by the defender, it was obvious that Gerald Drummond exaggerated what contact there was, it wasn’t clear that the striker had a chance to make a play on the ball. However, many experts consulted by the local media said that it was a valid call, while a few said that it was not while crediting Drummond with a great acting job.
In overtime neither team took many risks, and in the penalty shootout Saprissa won when Jose Francisco Porras stopped two of the five penalty shots.
Saprissa is now at least the sub-champion of this year’s tournament, as winner of the opening phase. The closing phase, will begin on Sunday January 15th with 6 games: Carmelita-Puntarenas, Santos-Alajuela, San Ramon-Saprissa, Heredia-Brujas, Cartago-Pérez Zeledón and Santa Cruz - Liberia.
Saprissa passes over to Group A with Heredia, Puntarenas, Santa Cruz, Liberia and San Ramon. Alajuela goes to Group B with Pérez Zeledón, Cartago, Brujas, Carmelita and Santos of Guápiles. Each team will face rivals within their group twice and face the other teams once. The qualifying phase of 16 games will finish on April 2nd. The top two teams from each group qualify, then the 1st place of Group A will face the second place team from Group B and vice versa.
The 19th and 23rd of April will be the finals, then if Saprissa is not the winner, the playoff between the winner of the closing phase and Saprissa will be April 26 and 30th.
Clubs may sign new players or make trades until February 23rd. The tournament will have 3 breaks, to allow the national team to prepare for the World Cup in friendly matches on January 25th, February 11th, and March 1st.