C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo

Overview

Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo is the second oldest club in El Salvador. The club was founded on September 17, 1923 by a group of local citizens. Originally named Tecún Umán, the club was soon renamed in honor of Luis Ángel Firpo, a famous Argentine boxer, who almost became the first Latin American heavyweight champion by knocking Jack Dempsey out of the ring on September 24, 1923.

Some of the greatest Salvadoran football players, including Mauricio Cienfuegos and Raúl Díaz Arce, have played for L.A. Firpo at some point in their careers. The team has won a total of ten Primera División de Fútbol Profesional championships in 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999 Clausura, 2000 Clausura, 2007 Apertura, 2008 Clausura and 2013 Clausura. Their most recent title came May, 2013 after defeating FAS 3–0. Firpo otuplayed FAS on rain effected game with goals coming from Panamanian Anel Canales, Medardo Max Guevara and Marlon Trejo García.

The team predominately plays its home games at Estadio Sergio Torres in Usulután. The team's mascot is the bull, a reference to the nickname of the team's namesake who was called "El Toro de las Pampas", which translates to "The Wild Bull of the Pampas" Furia Pampera was the first to have two different representative locations; Usulután (Furia Usulután) and San Salvador (Furia SS).

Early history

On September 17, 1923, a group of Usulután citizens, mostly of European descent decided to form a team which represent their community passion for football. The club first elected Gustavo Denys as their first club chairman. They decided to choose red and blue as their teams colours. Originally named Tecún Umán, the club was soon renamed in honor of Luis Ángel Firpo, a famous Argentine boxer, who almost became the first heavyweight champion of Latin descent and came close by knocking Jack Dempsey out of the ring on September 24, 1923. The members of CD Luis Ángel Firpo acquired land near Sergio Torres creek to develop and build a stadium. Slowly but surely the team gained prestige in 1941–42, when it labeled the best team in the eastern zone of El Salvador. After defeating Chinameca SC and Corona FC they succeed in participating in the triangular series, but were no match to Quequeisque of Santa Ana.

Luis "El Loco" Regalado was the first Firpo player to earn a selection to play for the El Salvador's national football team, he was followed by the Zamora brothers (Ricardo and Miguel), the Quinteros brothers (Leonidas and Lázaro), along with Ramón and Mario Águila. Their first football manager was Manuel "El Zancudo" Segurado.

In the early 1940s, although Firpo were a decently skilled football team, its leadership, was not economically stable and this was to show in the next decade. In the 1950s despite being bi-champions along with Atlético Marte they were relegated. However, due to the command of Narciso Romagoza, they returned to the first division the very next year. The team discovered some great talents such as Félix Quinteros and Roberto Aguila, however due to financial trouble they lost both players to other clubs and were once again relegated in 1962. In 1967, Firpo were promoted once again thanks to the efforts of Francisco Contreras, Daniel Martínez, Napoleón Regalado, Ramón Tenorio, Raúl Corcio Zavaleta and Miguel Deras. The acquisition of Chilean Andrés Paretti and Julio Escobar breathed fresh air into the team. Once again poor management and financial control lead to Firpo being demoted once again. In 1972 Firpo returned to first division and has stayed there ever since.

Golden Generation

The team first great joy came in the 1988–89 season, after finishing third in the league (with 12 wins, 16 draws, 8 loses) despite this amazing effort, the team's leadership dismissed their Argentinian coach Juan Quarterone and replaced him with the former Luis Ángel Firpo player, Chilean Julio Escobar. The club won their first ever title in their 66 years of existence, when they beat Cojutepeque 4–3 on penalties in the final at the Estadio Cuscatlán, after a 2–2 draw in extra tie. José Maria Batres scored in the fifth minute to put Firpo ahead. One minute later Piggot equalized for Cojutepeque. The game went into overtime with Leonel Cárcamo restoring Firpo lead in 91st min. However Hugo Ventura equalized for Cojutepeque with only 2 minutes remaining to the end of extra time. The championship was decided by a penalty shootout. Abraham Vásquez, Martín Duffo and De Moura while Edgar Henríquez and Miguel Seminario missed their penalties. the score remained 3–3 all on penalties, when Walter Ventura of Cojutepeque missed his penalty and Leonel Carcamo scored the winning penalty for Firpo's maiden title.

The same team roster reached the 1990 final, however they were outplayed by Alianza and lost the final.

In the 1991 season Firpo under the direction of Uruguayan coach Juan Carlos Masnik went 30 games without losing a single game which enabled them to reach the 1991 cup final. In which Firpo went on to defeat Aguila 1–0 thanks to the lone goal of Marlon Menjívar. giving Firpo their second title in just three years.

The very next year, Macedonian Kiril Dojčinovski took over the coaching reigns of Firpo and alongside several key players won back-to-back titles Raúl Toro, Raúl Díaz Arce, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Celio Rodríguez, Leonel Cárcamo and Fernando de Moura (1991–92, 1992–93). His first and Firpo's third title came on the 5th of July, 1992 thanks to a 3–0 victory over Alianza with the goals coming from a double by Nildeson and De Moura.

Firpo's fourth title (and the clubs first back-to-back title) came on the 27th of June 1993 and once again it came at the expense of Alianza this time it was a 2–1 scoreline, with goals coming from Raúl Díaz Arce and Celio Rodríguez. Despite making the semis and finals between 1994–97 season the club failed to win a title, however in the 1998 season under Chilean coach Julio Escobar and captaincy of Leonal Carcamo the club was able to defeat FAS 2–0 with the goals being scored by Firpo legendary players Raúl Toro and Abraham Monterrosa.

Firpo went on to win their sixth title (and their second back-to-back titles) in the 1999 season with 5–4 penalty victory over FAS after both team remained scoreless after 120 minutes. Misael Alfaro, Castro Borja, Celio Rodríguez, and Nildeson scored Firpo first four penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Misael Alafro saved FAS penalty kick before Raúl Toro scoed his penalty kick to give Firpo the championship. On 2 July 2000, Firpo won their seventh title in the club history after defeating ADET, after an emotionally week leading up to the final (where the club president and owner Sergio Torres died) the players dedicated their victory to their recently departed boss and brought to end the club golden era COPA ES.

Modern era

Eventually several members of the golden generation moved abroad, moved to other clubs or retired. Along with the loss of Sergio Torres who was the club primary sponsor during the golden era the club became more financially unstable with several owner changes during a five-year period. On the pitch the team was in decline. Following the success on the 1990s, Firpo failed to capture any primera division title for the next seven years and that's despite making the grand final on seven occasion. However, Firpo were able to break this hoodoo and win their eight title the 2007 Apertura under the direction of Argentinian coach Horacio Cordero. They defeated FAS 5–3 in a penalty shootout after the teams were locked up at one all after 120 minutes of football. Firpo lone goalscorer was Patricio Barroche. The very next season the club was able to win not only their ninth title but also their third back-to-back title in the club history and this is despite having a new coach Argentinian Gerardo Reinoso. The club was able to win Clausura 2008 thanks to a 1–0 victory over FAS with lone goal coming in extra time from Guillermo Moran.

The team won their tenth title thanks to the direction of Argentinian coach Roberto Gamarra. On May, 2013 Firpo defeated FAS 3–0. Firpo completely outplayed FAS on rain effected game with the goals coming from Panamanian Anel Canales, Medardo Max Guevara and Marlon Trejo García.

On May 5, 2014, after 32 years of top flight football Firpo were relegated to the second division after a 1–1 draw with Dragón.

On December 4, 2015, the team purchased the financial laden Juventud Independiente license and will be to compete in the Primera División for the Apertura 2016 season.

International representation

At the beginning of the nineties they participated in their first international tournament, and surpassed expectations by defeating the Mexican side Pumas UNAM 1–0 in the first round however they lost in the second round by penalties against Alajuelense from Costa Rica. For the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League, they were eliminated in the group stage, after having qualified directly into the round as El Salvador's champions. They once again participated in the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, however they were eliminated in the preliminary round by the MLS team DC United.

Achievements

Primera División

(10) – :Winners (10): 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999 Clausura, 2000 Clausura, Apertura 2007, Clausura 2008, Clausura 2013

(11) – :Runners-up (11): 1955–56, 1989–90, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, Apertura 2001, Primera División de Fútbol Profesional Clausura 2003, Clausura 2005, Clausura 2007, Clausura 2009

Copa Presidente

01 ! (1) – :Runners-up (1): 2000

Record versus other clubs

As of 2013-09-13

The Concacaf opponents below = Official tournament results: (Plus a sampling of other results)

Anthem

AHí VIENE EL FIRPO, AHí VIENE EL FIRPO.HOY VIBRAN LOS ESTADIOS EN TODO EL SALVADOR.ORIENTE HACE AL FIRPO EL EQUIPO GANADOR,¡VIVA EL FIRPO, VIVA EL FIRPO!LA GARRA Y EL CORAJE DEL BUEN USULUTECO,SE SIENTE CUANDO EL FIRPO COMIENZA A GOLEAR.¡VIVA El FIRPO, VIVA El FIRPOFIRPO ES EL EQUIPO GANADOR,ORGULLO DE MI PATRIA EL SALVADOR¡VIVA EL FIRPO!

Stadium

CD Luis Ángel Firpo plays most of its home games at Estadio Sergio Torres in Usulután, better known throughout Central America as the Devil's Cauldron because it is close to impossible to defeat Firpo there. Located in the Barrio La Parroquia, the stadium is an exception in El Salvador's professional football: As Firpo is the only team in the First Division that plays in its own stadium. Firpo's first president, Mr. Gustavo Demis, bought two thirds of the stadium and, in 1950, the then president, Mr. Juan Boillat, bought the other third. In 1987, the stadium was renamed after the legendary former owner and president of the team. The stadium known as Usulután Stadium became known as Sergio Torres Rivera Stadium. However the club has moved games to Estadio Cuscatlán for big clashes.

Home stadium

Estadio Sergio Torres (1950–Present)

Estadio Cuscatlán (2002–Present) (big game venue)

Logo

Their first logo contained a figure of a bull in honor of the "toro de las pampas" of the boxer Luis Ángel Firpo. However, later the board of Luis Ángel Firpo decided to replace the bull with the official coat of arms of Luis Ángel Firpo which consisted of a triangle with two half circles which contained the blue and white letters of the club. On top of the coat of arms contains stars which indicate the amount of titles the team has won, which currently is at ten.

Fans

Despite having a growing fan base across the country, there were no official fan groups until 1990 when Manuel Viagra founded the Furia Pampera in Usulután. They are currently the second largest fan base in San Salvador and the fourth largest nationwide.

Famous supporters

Politics: Tony Saca (former President of El Salvador) Politics: Sergio Torres (Former Mayor of Usulután, Former President of UNCAF) Politics: Roberto d'Aubuisson (Current Mayor of Santa Tecla)

Rivalries

Luis Ángel Firpo v. Alianza. The match is known as (Clásico Joven) (Young classic) Although Alianza has one more title than Firpo.

Luis Ángel Firpo v. Águila. The match is known as (Clásico de Oriente) (Eastern Classic). They are from the same Zone.

One smallest but stronger and old rivalry could be Luis Ángel Firpo v. FAS.

Presidential history

Luis Ángel Firpo has had numerous presidents over the course of their history, some of which have been the owners of the club while others have been honorary presidents. Here is a complete list of them.

Elmer Antonio Landaverde

Current squad

As of Clausura 2017 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Players out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

U-20 youth team youth league

CD Luis Ángel Firpo's youth squad plays in the ten-team Primera División Reserves (El Salvador). Current members of the squad are:

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Captains

Williams Reyes has been the captain since 2016.

Historic player

Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 50 league games and/or have reached international status.

see also C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo footballers

Personnel honours

The following have won the Golden Boot award whilst playing for Luis Angel Firpo :

(Apertura 2005) Franklin Webster Goals Scored (7)

(Clausura 2005) Manuel Martínez Goals Scored (9)

(Clausura 2007) Mario Costas Goals Scored (7)

(Clausura 2012) Anel Canales Goals Scored (12)

(Clausura 2013) Anel Canales Goals Scored (10)

C.D. Luis Angel Firpo "B"

As of 8 June 2015

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Staff

Mario Martínez (Head Coach)

Jose Martinez (Assistant Coach)

Juan José Gómez (Goalkeeper Coach)

Manuel Salazar (Athletics Coach)

Managerial information

Chilean Julio Escobar is the club's most successful coach, having won four primera division titles; following closely is Macedonian Kiril Dojčinovski, who won two primera division titles.

The present manager, since 2016, is Juan Ramón Sánchez.