C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo

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L.A. Firpo

Full name	Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo
Nickname(s)	Pamperos Los Toros (The Bulls) Los Ultralempinos (The Ultra Lempimes)
Short name	Firpo
Founded	September 17, 1923; 97 years ago (September 17, 1923)
Ground	Estadio Sergio Torres, Usulután, El Salvador
Capacity	5,000
Chairman	Juan Pablo Herrera
Manager	Roberto Gamarra
League	Primera División
2020 Apertura	Overall: 7th Playoffs: Semifinal
Home colours Away colours

Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo (often abbreviated to Firpo) is an El Salvador professional association football club based in Usulután.^[1]

The club was founded in 1923, and has played at its current home ground, Estadio Sergio Torres, since 1930.^[2][3]

They have won ten Primera Division Champions titles. Firpo has the fourth highest total of major honours won by a Salvadoran club. The club's most successful period was between 1988 and 2000, when they won the El Salvadoran title seven times.

Firpo's historical rival is C.D. Águila. The Derby de Oriente (vs C.D. Águila) is the most important game of the season.

The club's traditional kit colours are white and red, blue is also used but it is less predominant. The colours were adopted from the Argentinian side San Lorenzo de Almagro, of which Luis Ángel Firpo was a supporter.

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 to fight for the heavyweight championship, knocking Jack Dempsey out of the ring on September 24, 1923.^[4]

Some of the most prominent players from El Salvador, including Mauricio Cienfuegos and Raúl Díaz Arce, have played for L.A. Firpo. The team has won a total of ten Primera División de Fútbol Profesional championships, the first coming in 1988–89 and the most recent in the 2013 Clausura.

The team plays its home games at Estadio Sergio Torres in Usulután. The team's mascot is the bull, a reference to Firpo, who was known as the Wild Bull of the Pampas.

History[]

Early history[]

On September 17, 1923, a group of Usulután citizens, mostly of European descent, decided to form a team that represented their community's passion for football. The club elected Gustavo Denys as their first club chairman. They decided to choose red and blue as their team's colours. Originally named Tecún Umán, the club was soon renamed in honor of Luis Ángel Firpo, a famous Argentine boxer.

On November 9, 1923, Club Deportivo Sandino, also based in Usulutan, wanted to merge with Firpo, and it almost came to fruition. However, the main sticking point was that Sandino wanted to appoint the majority of the 41 club directors (36 to Sandino and only five Firpo directors). Following the impasse, Firpo rejected the offer.

The members of CD Luis Ángel Firpo acquired land near Sergio Torres creek to develop and build a stadium. Their first football manager was Manuel "El Zancudo" Segurado. In 1941–42, they were named the best team in eastern El Salvador^{[by whom?]} and were allowed to challenge for the national title. A year later, Luis Antonio Regalado brought the club further prestige when he was chosen for the El Salvador's national football team. After him came the Zamora brothers (Ricardo and Miguel), the Quinteros brothers (Leonidas and Lázaro), and Ramón and Mario Águila.

Financial instability plagued Firpo in the 1950s and 1960s, and they dropped out of the top flight on three separate occasions. In 1972, Firpo became a permanent top-flight fixture.

Golden generation[]

In the 1988–89 season, the team hoisted the league title for the first time. The team finished third in the regular season, but the club nonetheless dismissed Argentinian coach Juan Quarterone before the playoffs. In his place, they hired former player Julio Escobar. Escobar justified the club's faith by leading the team through the championship round and into the finals. Their match against Cojutepeque was drawn 2–2 after extra time, setting up a penalty shootout. Firpo prevailed 4–3, with Leonel Carcamo scoring the winning penalty.

In the 1990 final,^[which?] the team lost to Alianza but won their second crown in 1991. That season saw Firpo go on a 30 match unbeaten streak and defeat Aguila 1–0 in the finals. Marlon Menjívar scored the only goal.

The following year, Macedonian Kiril Dojčinovski took over the coaching reins of Firpo and led them to back to back titles. The stars of this run were Raúl Toro, Raúl Díaz Arce, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Celio Rodríguez, Leonel Cárcamo and Fernando de Moura. They defeated Alianza in both finals, giving the club four championships in five years.

Soon after, Leonal Carcamo donned the captain's armband and the club continued to play at a high level. They reached either the semi-finals or finals every year from 1994 to 1997, then won the championship again in 1998. That win came over FAS 2–0, with the goals being scored by Raúl Toro and Abraham Monterrosa.

Firpo won another championship in 1999, beating FAS 5–4 on penalty kicks. In 2000, Club president and owner Sergio Torres died the week before the final match against ADET, and the players dedicated the match to his memory. They went on to win, bringing home their seventh title.^[5]

Modern era[]

After 2000, Firpo's success began to decline. With players retiring, moving abroad, or being sold onto other clubs, the death of Sergio Torres cost the team their primary sponsor and led the club into financial instability. As a result, Firpo reached the grand final repeatedly, but could not win another title for seven years.

In the 2007 Apertura, Argentinian coach Horacio Cordero guided the team to another final, and they defeated FAS 5–3 in a penalty shootout. The next season saw the club hoist the crown again, winning the Clausura 2008. They beat FAS again, 1–0, and celebrated their third repeat championship.

The team won their tenth title in the 2013 Clausura under the direction of Argentinian coach Roberto Gamarra with another win over their rivals from FAS.

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.^[6] However, the relegation didn't stay, as Firpo purchased Juventud Independiente's license. On May 27, 2019, the club achieved a record sixth relegation from the Primera Division, after the team lost 3–1 against Alianza.^[7]

At the end of the 2020 season, Pablo Herrera (owner of the franchise license of Independiente) announced that Independiente will lose their license and he will be giving the license to Luis Angel Firpo for the Clausura 2020.

Honours[]

Firpo has won primera division ten times, which ranks tied for fourth in Salvadoran football history.

Domestic honours[]

League[]

• Primera División and predecessors
  • Champions (10): 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999 Clausura, 2000 Clausura, Apertura 2007, Clausura 2008, Clausura 2013
• Segunda División Salvadorean and predecessors
  • Champions: TBD
• Tercera División Salvadorean and predecessors
  • Champions: TBD

Cups[]

• Copa President and predecessors
  • Runners-up (1) : 2000

CONCACAF[]

• CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
  • Runners up (1) : 1995

Club statistics and records[]

Raúl Díaz Arce is Firpo's all-time top goalscorer, with 119 goals.

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. 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 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.

Home stadium[]

• Estadio Sergio Torres (1950–present)
• Estadio Cuscatlán (2002–present) (big game venue)

Fan culture[]

Club badge and colours[]

Luis Angel Firpo's home colours are white, blue and red. Traditional away kit colours have been either red or white and blue; however, in recent years several different colours have been used.

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 number of titles the team has won, which currently is at ten.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors[]

Luis Angel Firpo's shirts have been sponsored by Pilsener since 2017. Previous sponsors have been Tapachulteca (1988–1999), TACA (1992), Pepsi (1999), Diana (2007–2013), Pilsener (2007–2013), Burger King (2013) and Tigo (2009). Their kits have been manufactured by Aviva (since 2018). Prior manufacturers have been Galaxia (1999–2007, 2018), Kelme (2017) and Joma (2009–2013).

Anthem[]

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 Firpo!

Firpo es el equipo ganador

Orgullo de mi patria El Salvador.

¡Viva el Firpo!

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.

Supporters[]

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.^[8] 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)
• Sportspeople: Héctor Ramos (Archer)
• Journalist: Daniel Ruckus

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.^[9]

Players[]

Current squad[]

As of July 2021: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  MEX Joel Almeida 2 DF  SLV Alexis Maravilla 3 DF  SLV Victor Garcia 4 DF  SLV Carlos Monteagudo 5 DF  SLV Mario Alfaro 6 DF  SLV Eduardo Vigil 8  SLV Cristian Cisneros 9 FW  SLV Luis Canales 10  TRI Jomal Williams 11  BRA Wesley da Silva 12 FW  SLV Edgar Cruz

No. Pos. Nation Player 14  SLV Carlos Ortiz 15  SLV William Canales 16 DF  SLV Jefferson Polío 17  SLV Wilson Rugamas 19  SLV Alvaro Lizama 21  SLV Jaime Ortiz 22 FW  SLV Christopher Galeas 23  SLV Moises Mejia 24  SLV Kevin Sagastizado 29 MF  SLV Oscar Sanchez 30 DF  COL Tardelis Peña (captain)

Players with dual citizenship[]

• Joel Almeida

Out on loan[]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  SLV TBD (at TBD for the 2018–19 season) — MF  SLV TBD (at TBD for the 2018–19 season)

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  SLV TBD (at TBD for the 2018–19 season) — DF  SLV TBD (at TBD for the 2018–19 season)

In[]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player —  SLV Wilson Rugamas (From C.D. Aguila) —  TRI Jomal Williams (From C.D. Aguila) —  SLV William Canales (From TBA) —  SLV Victor Garcia (From TBA) —  SLV Cristian Cisneros (From TBA)

No. Pos. Nation Player —  SLV Moises Mejía (From Alianza F.C.) —  BRA Wesley da Silva (From TBA) —  SLV Alexis Maravilla (From TBA)

Out[]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  PAN Armando Polo (To TBD) — DF  PAN Nelson Barahona (To TBD) — DF  SLV Lisandro Claros (To C.D. Aguila) —  ECU Eber Caicedo (To TBD) — MF  SLV Ever Flores (To TBD) —  SLV Marvin Ramos (To TBD) —  SLV Daniel Luna (To TBD)

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  SLV Francisco Escobar (To Platense) —  SLV William Mancía (To TBD) —  SLV Jeremias Lemus (To TBD) —  SLV Julio Torres (To TBD) —  SLV Roberto Herrera (To TBD) —  SLV Christian Bautista (To TBD) —  SLV Giovani Zavaleta (To TBD) —  SLV Fernando Valladares (To TBD) —  SLV Edgar Dubon (To TBD)

Current technical staff[]

List of C.D. Luis Angel Firpo managers Role Person . Head Coach Roberto Gamarra Assistant Head Coach TBD Reserve Head Coach Melvin Jheovany Portillo (*) Sports Director Manuel Salazar Grassroots Coach Mario Martinez Fitness Coach Miguel Quiñoz Goalkeeping Coach Juan José Gómez Physical Trainer Carlos Cortez Fitness Coach/Sports Therapist Daniela Ortez Female Head Coach Reserve League squad[] CD Luis Ángel Firpo reserve squad plays in the twelve-team Primera División Reserves (El Salvador). Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nation Player 31  SLV Luis Campos 32  SLV Juan José Lemus 33  SLV José Castro Hernández 34  SLV Steven Quintanilla 35  SLV Edwin García 36  SLV Gerson Rivas 37  SLV Miguel Granados 38  SLV Carlos Quiros No. Pos. Nation Player 39  SLV Bryan Membreño Perdomo 40  SLV Edys Rodríguez 41  SLV Rafael Gamez Bonilla 42  SLV Miguel Ángel Ramírez 43  SLV José Flores 44  SLV César Carpio 45  SLV Emerson Pineda Corporate structure[] As of 1 May 2020 Club Administrative Staff Role Person Season. President Juan Pablo Herrera 2020-25 Vice-President Jesús Grande 2020-25 Assistant Vice-President Carlos Méndez Cabezas 2020-25 Sporting director Carlos Méndez Flores 2020-25 Assistant sporting director Jaime Barrera 2020-25 Secretary general Joseph Arguedas 2020-25 Assistant Secretary general Miguel Estrada Cuerno 2020-25 Television Manager Arturo Avilés 2020-25 Assistant Manager Jose Gonzalo 2020-25 Sports Marketing Manager Daniel Rucks 2020-25 Assistant Sports Marketing Manager José García Ferreiro 2020-25 Legal Representative Miguel Anaya 2020-25 Notable players[] Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 50 league games and/or have reached international status. National player Raúl Arce (119 goals) Carlos Borja Leonel Cárcamo Mauricio Cienfuegos Edgar Henríquez Manuel Martínez Marlon Menjívar Carlos Monteagudo Abraham Monterrosa Antonio Regalado Manuel Salazar International Player Patricio Barroche Mario Costas Fernando Leguizamón Leonardo Pekarnik Fernando De Moura Nelson de Moraes Raúl Toro Armando Enamorado Naturalized Player Celio Rodríguez (56 goals) Nenei da Silva Franklin Webster Anel Canales (54 goals) Captains[] Years Captain 1988–1989 Abraham "El Peñero" Vazquez (DF) 1990-1992 Miguel Estrada Cuerno (DF) 1993, 1998, 2000 Leonel Carcamo (DF) 1999 Celio Rodríguez (DF) 2003–2004 Héctor Canjura (DF) 2005–2006 Jorge Sanchez (DF) 2007–2008 Guillermo Morán (DF) 2009–2010 Manuel Salazar (DF) 2010–2013 Jorge Sanchez (DF) 2013 Dennis Alas (MF) 2013, 2015 Mauricio Quintanilla (MF) 2014 Anel Canales (FW) 2015 Marlon Martínez (MF) 2016–2017 Williams Reyes (FW) 2017 * Isaac Zelaya (MF) 2017–2018 Jhony Rios (DF) 2018 Rodrigo de Brito (DF) 2019 Edwin Martinez (DF) 2020-Present Tardelis Peña (DF) All-time XI[] Werner Ortiz Regalado Jovel Nelson de Moraes Melendez Campos Cienfuegos Fernando De Moura Diaz Victor Pereira Toro Luis Angel Firpo All-time First XI In 1998, as part of celebration of 65 years old 'El Equipo Ideal de L.A. Firpo de Todos Tiempos', a vote was carried out to decide on the club's official All Time XI. Position Player Years at club GK Werner Ortiz (+) 1955 RB Nelson de Moraes 1979–1980 RCB Luis Antonio Regalado (+) 1939–52 LCB José Francisco Jovel 1972–78; 1984–87 LB Melendez Campos 1975–78 RM Victor Pereira TBD CDM Fernando De Moura 1989–1992 CM Mauricio Cienfuegos 1988–91;1994–96 LM Raúl Toro Basáez 1991–2000 RW Raul Diaz Arce 1991–96 LW 1956–58 Managerial information[] Main article: Luis Angel Firpo managers The club's current manager is the Argentinian Roberto Gamarra.[11] Costa Rican Ramón Rodríguez Soto was also Firpo's first manager from outside the El Salvador. Chilean Julio Escobar is the club's most successful coach, having won four Primera División titles; following closely is Macedonian Kiril Dojčinovski, who won two Primera División titles. The following managers won at least one trophy when in charge of Luis Angel Firpo Name Period Trophies Julio Escobar TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD 4 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional Kiril Dojcinovski TBD, TBD 2 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional Juan Carlos Masnik 1990-1991 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional Horacio Cordero July 2007- November 2007 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional Gerardo Reinoso Jan 2008 - May 2008 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional Roberto Gamarra March 2013-September 2013, November 2020- 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional References[] ^ Gráfico, El. "Firpo quiere encender la caldera ante Metapán". elgrafico.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017. ^ Gráfica, La Prensa. "Firpo arrancará la pretemporada sin haber pagado deuda del Clausura al plantel". La Prensa Gráfica. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017. ^ Gráfico, El. "El Firpo desaparece y da vida al Vencedor, en segunda división". elgrafico.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017. ^ John Ashdown (12 September 2012). "Which club were shipwrecked on their way to a game?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2016. ^ Guandique, Ever. "Ever's Applets\LA Firpo Page\Archivo". FanSpace.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017. ^ "El Firpo vuelve a segunda después de 32 años". El Gráfico. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2017. ^ "Firpo pierde y dice adiós a la Primera División". El Gráfico. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019. ^ "La poderosa barra del Firpo que vendrá para el Clausura 2018". elgrafico.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018. ^ "Luís Ángel Firpo y Metapán a la gran final del fútbol salvadoreño". Archived from the original on March 26, 2008. ^ "Presidente del Firpo sí ofreció bajar 25 por ciento de salario a jugadores". elgrafico.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2018. ^ "Jorge Calles sería el técnico de Firpo". www.elsalvador.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2018-06-27.