by Rod Hughes

Saprissa, which placed second in the CONCACAF cup earlier this year, will go up against the best soccer clubs in the region. As national champion, Saprissa qualified for the newly named “Champion’s League of CONCACAF,” but drew the toughest clubs in the Central American-Caribbean area, champs of their own national contests.

The big purple “S” will go up against the U.S. club D.C. United on Sept. 30, beginning a gruelling series of matches against D.C. (winner of eliminations against Cruz Azul of Mexico), Hankook Verdes of Velize and the winner of the elimination between Isidro Matapan and the loser of the Honuran contest between their Opimpia and Marathon of San Pedro Sula. Group A is indeed a tough one to draw.

Although Saprissa is undoubtedly the powerhouse of Costa Rica, having beaten runnerup Alajuela twice for the national crown, it will be remembered that they suffered a mid-season meltdown, a losing streak that seemed destined to sink them in the national First Division, following an equally long winning streak to start the year. They managed to pull themselves together at the end against Alajuela but not before losing the CONCACAF laurels against Pachuca of Mexico.

One other wild card exists. When Saprissa plays, the eliminations for the national All Stars of nations in the region, leading to the World Cup, will be at full speed. The cutting edge of the Costa Rican All-Star attack is also Saprissa’s. We hope nothing gives way under the strain.