Alajuelense Fútbol Femenino

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Alajuelense Femenil
Full nameLiga Deportiva Alajuelense Femenil
Nickname(s)Manudas, Rojinegras, Leonas
FoundedApril 9, 2019 (2019-04-09)[1]
StadiumEstadio Alejandro Morera Soto
Capacity17,895
PresidentJoseph Joseph
Sporting directorMercedes Salas[2]
ManagerWilmer López
LeagueCosta Rican Women's Premier Division
2023 Clausura1st, Champions
WebsiteClub website
Primary colours
Secondary colours
Tertiary colours

Liga Deportiva Alajuelense Femenil, also known as Alajuelense Fútbol Femenino (Alajuelense FF) and Alajuelense Femenil, is a women's football team that competes in the Costa Rican Women's Premier Division, the top division of women's football in Costa Rica.[3] It is affiliated with men's side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and was formed through an agreement with the Comite Cantonal de Deportes y Recreación de Alajuela (CODEA); the club first competed as Alajuelense CODEA in 2019.[4][5][6][7][8]

As of 5 June 2023, it is the first and only club in the Costa Rican Women's Premier Division to win two undefeated championships, to win consecutive championships, or to win three or more championships.[9][10]

As of 7 May 2023, IFFHS ranked the club 5th in CONCACAF and 36th in the world,[11] the highest rankings for any club from Central America or Costa Rica.[12][13] As of 2022, it was also the only club in Costa Rica to field a women's team at all levels of competition.[14]

History[edit]

Women's football in Alajuela was played as early as 15 September 1959, between clubs Independiente and ODECA at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. Independiente wore red shirts against ODECA, wearing blue, and won 2–0.[15] A women's side affiliated with Alajuelense reportedly played in the 1996 Campeonato de ANAFA.[16]

In 2019, Shirley Cruz became the first women's footballer to sign a professional contract with a Costa Rican team

Beginnings[edit]

CODEA had participated in Costa Rica's women's league in 2001, but had no relationship with Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and instead became UCEM Alajuela.[17] In 2017, the club defeated AD Coronado to win promotion from the Segunda División, and after a year in the Premier Division signed an agreement with Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.[18][19][20] In 2019, the team signed Costa Rican international player Shirley Cruz, who had previously played in Europe and the United States, to the first professional contract in Costa Rican women's football.[21][22][8] Other players followed, including Fabiola Sánchez, Priscila Chinchilla, Lixy Rodríguez, Fernanda Barrantes, María Paula Salas, and Noelia Bermúdez.[23][24][25][26][27]

On 9 December 2019 the team secured its first championship in the Primera División by winning the Torneo Clausura,[28][29] qualifying it for the national final against Clásico del fútbol costarricense femenino [es] rivals Saprissa FF.[30][31][32][33] Alajuelense drew the first match of the national final 1–1 at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá,[34] then on 16 December 2019 won the second leg 1–0 on a goal by Priscila Chinchilla at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto to secure the club's first national championship in its inaugural season. The second leg set a national women's club attendance record of 16,900.[35][36]

Success and records[edit]

Alajuelense severed the club's affiliation with CODEA and organized its own lower divisions.[37]

Alajuelense's 2021 Women's Torneo Apertura championship trophy, center

The newly rebranded Alajuelense team won its second championship in 2021 by winning the first phase[38] and defeating Dimas in the two-legged semi-final, rallying from a 2–3 loss in the first leg to win 4–3 on aggregate.[39] In the national final against Herediano, Alajuelense drew 2–2 on goals by Kenia Rangel and Marta Cox,[40] drew in regulation of the second leg 1–1 on a goal by Sianyf Agüero [es], and failed to separate after extra time. In the penalty shoot-out to decide the championship, Alajuelense won 5–4. Cox won the championship's Golden Boot award as top goalscorer and also registered the most assists.[41][42]

The team won its third championship in the 2021 Torneo Clausura in historic fashion, becoming the first club in Costa Rican women's soccer to complete an undefeated season, winning 16 of 18 matches and drawing twice. Alajuelense defeated Herediano again in the national championship semi-finals, then defeated Saprissa in the finals 5–2 on aggregate, with Paula Salas completing a hat-trick in the second leg.[43] The club ended 2021 by winning the Super Copa 5–1 against Saprissa FF.[44]

The team then won the 2022 Torneo Apertura, becoming the first to win consecutive tournaments with undefeated seasons and the first to win three championships. The two undefeated seasons and championships totalled 39 matches without a loss.[45] Alajuelense defeated Sporting F.C. in the national championship semi-finals before defeating Saprissa once again in the finals, 4–1 on aggregate.[46][47]

International success[edit]

In September 2022 Alajuelense won its first international title by defeating Saprissa 1–0 in the finals of the Torneo Interclubes Femenino Uncaf Fifa Forward 2022.[48] Alajuelense became the first club to win the tournament with a perfect record, scoring 28 total goals.[49][50][51][52] The trophy was Alajuelense's sixth, setting a record for most total cups won by a Costa Rican women's club.[53]

Fourth championship[edit]

In December 2022 Alajuelense won its fourth championship by defeating Sporting F.C. Despite suffering its first loss in a national championship series, the team rallied to win 4–3 on aggregate.[54][55]

Fifth championship[edit]

In June 2023 Alajuelense won its sixth championship by defeating Sporting F.C. again in the Torneo Apertura finals, but did so after falling behind three goals in the first leg by losing 1–4. In the second leg, expected to be captain Shirley Cruz's final match for the team before retirement, the team rallied to win 4–0 and defeat Sporting 5–4 on aggregate. Natalia Mills scored the championship-winning goal.[56][57]

Stadium[edit]

Main article: Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto

The team plays in Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, the home stadium of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. The team also plays at the High Performance Center stadium in Turrúcares. The team's previous home ground was the Monserrat Sports Center in the Río Segundo District of Alajuela.

Records[edit]

See also: es:Alajuelense Fútbol Femenino

Year-by-year[edit]

As of 3 June 2023.[58]

Seasons of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense Femenil
Edition Result Apertura Clausura MP W D L GF GA Pts. Per. Copa / S. Copa Top goalscorer GS Manager
2018[a] 4th 3rd 5th 28 14 6 8 70 48 48 57% – Costa Rica Priscila Chinchilla 24 Costa Rica Edgar Rodríguez Carranza [es]
2019[b] Champions 3rd 1st 36 25 3 8 110 45 78 72% – Costa Rica Priscila Chinchilla 33
Tournaments of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense Femenil
Edition Result Pos. MP W D L GF GA Pts. Per. Copa / S. Copa Top goalscorer GS Manager
Apertura 2020 Abandoned 1st[c] 3 3 0 0 8 0 9 100% – Costa Rica María Paula Salas 3 Costa Rica Edgar Rodríguez Carranza [es]
2020 3rd 3rd[c] 20 12 2 6 52 20 38 63% – Costa Rica Priscila Chinchilla 12 Costa Rica Edgar Rodríguez Carranza
Costa Rica Wilmer López
Apertura 2021 Champions 1st[c] 18 10 4 4 40 17 34 63% – Panama Marta Cox 9 Costa Rica Wilmer López
Clausura 2021 Champions 1st[c] 18 16 2 0 58 13 50 93% Champions[d] Costa Rica Fernanda Barrantes 10
Apertura 2022 Champions 1st[c] 18 14 4 0 57 10 46 85% 3rd[e] United States Mia Corbin 15
Clausura 2022 Champions 3rd[c] 18 12 1 5 42 29 37 68% Runners-up[d][e] United States Mia Corbin 17
Apertura 2023 Champions 1st[c] 16 13 2 3 57 15 40 83% – Panama Kenia Rangel
Panama Natalia Mills		 8
  1. ^ As CODEA
  2. ^ As Alajulenese CODEA
  3. ^ a b c d e f g First phase
  4. ^ a b Super Cup
  5. ^ a b Cup

Honors[edit]

Championships won by Alajuelense Femenil:

International[edit]

National[edit]

Managers[edit]

Primera División managers:

Players[edit]

See also: Category:Alajuelense Fútbol Femenino footballers
Roster[67]
No. Nat. Pos. Name Age Previous team
1 Costa Rica GK Noelia Bermúdez 28 years Spain Deportivo de La Coruña
31 Costa Rica GK Gabriela Valverde 36 years Costa Rica A.D. Coronado FF
22 Costa Rica GK Fabiola Murillo 30 years Costa Rica C.S. Herediano FF
2 Costa Rica DF Maria Jose Brenes 29 years Costa Rica Saprissa FF
3 Costa Rica DF Gabriela Guillén 31 years Iceland Þór/KA
4 Costa Rica DF Paula Coto 25 years Costa Rica C.S. Herediano FF
5 Costa Rica DF Keylin Gómez 19 years Costa Rica C.S. Herediano FF
14 Costa Rica DF Fabiola Villalobos 25 years Costa Rica Sporting F.C.
19 Costa Rica DF Valerie Sandoval 21 years
21 Costa Rica DF Sofia Arguedas 17 years
26 Costa Rica DF Sharon Lobo 17 years
6 Panama MF Natalia Mills 30 years Spain Cordoba CF
7 Costa Rica MF Viviana Chinchilla 28 years Italy Pink Bari
8 Costa Rica MF Mariela Campos 32 years Costa Rica C.S. Herediano FF
10 Costa Rica MF Shirley Cruz 37 years United States OL Reign
16 Costa Rica MF Marilenis Oporta 25 years Costa Rica Sporting F.C.
17 Costa Rica MF Marian Solano 17 years
20 Costa Rica MF Alexandra Pinell 20 years Costa Rica A.D. San Carlos FF
30 Costa Rica MF Sarah Benavides 18 years
35 Costa Rica MF Maria Paula Arce 19 years Costa Rica A.D. Chorotega FF
9 Mexico FW Zaira Carolina Miranda [es] 28 years Mexico Deportivo Toluca F.C.
11 Panama FW Kenia Rangel 27 years Panama Atlético Nacional
13 Costa Rica FW Sheika Scott 16 years Costa Rica Municipal Pococi
18 Japan FW Kyoka Koshijima 23 years United States Keiser Seahawks
21 Costa Rica FW Alexa Herrera 18 years Costa Rica C.S. Herediano FF
25 Costa Rica FW Sianyf Agüero [es] 19 years

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ "Mercedes Salas, una artífice del título de Alajuelense Codea en el fútbol femenino". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  3. ^ Calvo, Rodrigo (18 June 2022). "Gestas y marcas históricas de Liga Deportiva Alajuelense". Buzón de Rodrigo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  4. ^ Calvo, Rodrigo (21 December 2019). "Gestas y marcas históricas de la Liga en 100 años". Buzón de Rodrigo (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Fernando Ocampo sobre apoyo de Alajuelense al fútbol femenino: 'No se trata nada más de prestar una cancha'". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 26 August 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  6. ^ "(Video) El fútbol femenino entró en la historia del centenario de Alajuelense". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 17 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Unas Leonas que hicieron historia". Centenario de Leyendas (in Spanish). 2020.
  8. ^ a b Marin, Fanny Tayver. "Shirley Cruz marca un antes y un después: en Alajuelense Codea todas tendrán contrato profesional". La Nación (in Spanish). Grupo Nación. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  9. ^ Cubillo, Eduardo (4 June 2023). "Alajuelense logra el pentacampeonato con una remontada histórica ante Sporting FC" [Alajuelense achieves the five-time championship with a historic comeback against Sporting FC]. Mundiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  10. ^ Fonseca, Maria José (5 June 2023). "Alajuelense se convierte en el equipo más ganador del Fútbol Femenino" [Alajuelense becomes the most winning team in Women's Soccer]. Unión Femenina de Fútbol de Costa Rica. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  11. ^ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  12. ^ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  13. ^ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
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  15. ^ "El fútbol femenino en Costa Rica (1924–2015)".
  16. ^ Pastor Pacheco, José Antonio. La Fuerza de un sentimiento: Historia oficial del fútbol femenino de Costa Rica (in Spanish).
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  37. ^ Alpízar, María (19 January 2021). "Mercedes Salas: la madre del fútbol femenino y la arquitecta del proyecto en Alajuelense". El Mundo CR (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  38. ^ "Se definieron los cuatro clasificados del Torneo de Apertura 2021" (in Spanish). Unión Femenina de Fútbol. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  39. ^ "LD Alajuelense y CS Herediano consiguieron clasificarse como finalistas del Torneo de Apertura 2021" (in Spanish). Unión Femenina de Fútbol. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  40. ^ Wilmer López dice #alajuelense mereció ganar la final femenina y que van el sábado x su 1er title (in European Spanish). Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  41. ^ Martínez, Allan (7 June 2021). "Liga Deportiva Alajuelense campeón del Torneo de Apertura 2021". Retrieved 19 December 2022.
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  44. ^ Arce, Jason (26 November 2021). "Alajuelense FF se corona campeón de la Supercopa tras golear a Saprissa en Tibás". YashinQuesada.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  45. ^ "¡Histórico title! Alajuelense tricampeón invicto del torneo femenino de Costa Rica". MSN.
  46. ^ "Alajuelense derrota a Saprissa y celebra su tricampeonato". Teletica. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
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  49. ^ "¡Impresionante! Las leonas tienen un promedio de 9 goles por partido". La Teja (in Spanish). 17 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
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  53. ^ "Leonas de Alajuelense vencen a Saprissa y se coronan campeonas de Centroamérica". La Nación (in Spanish). 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  54. ^ "Leonas sacaron garras para ser tetracampeonas". La Nación (in Spanish). 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
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  56. ^ Jimenez, Daniel (4 June 2023). "El último baile de Shirley Cruz deparó el pentacampeonato de la Liga". Teletica (in European Spanish). Retrieved 4 June 2023.
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  66. ^ "Wílmer López es el nuevo técnico del equipo femenino de Liga Deportiva Alajuelense" [Wílmer López is the new coach of the Liga Deportiva Alajuelense women's team]. Delfino. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  67. ^ "Plantilla". Unión Femenina de Fútbol. Retrieved 8 June 2023.

External links[edit]

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