Liga goalkeeper saving goal
Ticos love to play sports, and there's no more popular game in Costa Rica than soccer - although the locals call it football! Nothing rivals Ticos' passion for soccer, and the fans here are some of the most devoted in the world. When I'm hopping around the country, I never have to go far before I see people enjoying a spirited game. I wish I could play, but I'm a little on the small side. Come with me to learn more about two of Costa Rica's most popular teams - Liga Deportiva Alajuelense or La Liga and Deportivo Saprissa.
Alajuela Stadium
Liga Deportiva Alajuelense
Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, known locally as la Liga and nicknamed the Manudos, is one of Costa Rica's most beloved squads, playing in the Primera Division de Costa Rica. If you ask me, they're the best - but I'm a Liga fan, so of course I'm going to say that! The club is more than 80 years old and is based out of downtown Alajuela. They play their home games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto stadium (but a new stadium will be ready soon), and are the best soccer team in the world. Okay, maybe I'm a little biased, but they really are excellent!
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This beloved team was also the first Costa Rican squad to win the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) championship in 1986. It is also the only team to never have been relegated from Costa Rica's premier league, and have won at least one major championship every decade since the club was formed in 1919 - see why they're so popular?
There are two soccer seasons in Costa Rica, held each winter and summer. Right now, Saprissa is the actual champion. There´s a third popular team called Herediano (from the Heredia province). Heredia's team are known locally as the Florenses, but their fans aren't nearly as dedicated as Liga's.
Up until the 1980s, the mascot of Liga was a mango. However, in the early 80's it was decided that the new club mascot would be a lion, due to the king of the jungle's mighty characteristics. As Liga's biggest fan (figuratively speaking, of course), I still think they should have picked a tree frog, but hey...
Saprissa players celebrationPhoto Credit : brent flanders
Deportivo Saprissa
Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D., known to Ticos simply as Saprissa or the Morados, is another popular Costa Rican soccer club. Based in San Juan de Tibas in the province of San Jose, Saprissa's home stadium is Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma, one of the largest sporting venues in the country with a capacity of 24,000 spectators.
Saprissa is widely considered to be the most successful Costa Rican soccer team in history - unless you're a Liga fan, that is - as they have won the Primera Division de Costa Rica 36 times. Also, Saprissa became the only CONCACAF club to ever compete in the Mundial de Clubes back in 2006, they placed 3rd making them the 3rd best club team in the world. The team is nicknamed "The Purple Monster" due to the color of their uniforms and the loyalty of their fans. Personally, I think that Liga's red and black strip is way better than purple, but not all soccer fans are as discerning as Liga's!
The best of the rest
Of course, just watching Liga trounce Saprissa would get a little dull after awhile, and there are quite a few other teams across Costa Rica.
Santos de Guápiles Fútbol Club, commonly known simply as Santos, is a Costa Rican association football club, which currently plays in the national championship. The club plays in Estadio Ebal Rodríguez in Guápiles, Limón.
Club Sport Cartagines Deportiva S.A., also known as the Brumosos, represent Cartago province and play their home games at Estadio Jose Rafael Fello Meza Ivankovich in Cartago. The Brumosos are the oldest soccer team in the country, having been founded in 1906.
Puntarenas Futbol Club, S.A.D., who are referred to by their fans as the Chuchequeros, are Union de Clubes de Futbol de la Primera Division team that plays at the Estadio Municipal de Puntarenas Miguel Angel Lito Perez Treacy. This stadium is known locally as the "Pressure Cooker" due to the high temperatures players have to contend with during the summer season. Right now, the Puntarenas team play in the second division, but they hope to climb to ¨primera¨ very soon.
While you're here on a Costa Rica vacation, why not check out a game at one of the country's many stadiums and see what all the fuss is about?
Saprissa players before game reunionPhoto Credit : MadriCR
