C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo
Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo (often abbreviated to Firpo) is an El Salvador professional association football club based in Usulután.[1]
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| Full name | Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Pamperos Los Toros (The Bulls) Los Ultralempinos (The Ultra Lempimes) | ||
| Short name | Firpo | ||
| Founded | September 17, 1923 | ||
| Ground | Estadio Sergio Torres, Usulután, El Salvador | ||
| Capacity | 3,000 | ||
| Chairman |  | ||
| Manager | | ||
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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 rivals are C.D. Águila, Alianza F.C. and C.D. FAS. The Derby de Oriente (vs C.D. Águila) is the most important game out of all three matches. These four clubs are considered the "best 4" of El Salvador football.
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 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, 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 which represented their community 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.
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. Slowly but surely the team gained prestige. In 1941–42, they were named the best team in eastern El Salvador and were allowed to challenge for the national title. A year later, Luis "El Loco" 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. They could still discover great talent, like Félix Quinteros and Roberto Aguila, but they could not afford to keep them and had to sell them on. It was not until 1972 that Firpo became a permanent top-flight fixture.
Golden generation
The team's first great joy came in the 1988–89 season, when they hoisted the league title for the first time. The team finished third in the regular season, an impressive effort, 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.
It was the beginning of a golden age for Firpo. They lost to Alianza in the 1990 final, but won their second crown in three years 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 very next 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.
Their dominance continued as the 1990s wore on. 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 Firpo legendary players Raúl Toro and Abraham Monterrosa.
Firpo won another championship in 1999, beating FAS 5–4 on penalty kicks. The glory years concluded with an emotional championship 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 7th title.[5]
Modern era
After 2000, Firpo's success began to decline. The stars of the golden years were 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 an era of financial instability. As a result, performances declined. Firpo reached the grand final repeatedly, but could not win another title for seven years.
The drought finally ended with 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 stick, 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]
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
TBD holds the records for both total appearances and Primera Division appearances for Firpo, with TBD official games played in total and TBD in Primera Division.
Raúl Díaz Arce is Firpo's all-time top goalscorer, with 119 goals in 000 games. Behind him, in second place, is TBD with 000 goals in 000 games, and TBD in third place, with 000 goals over 000 games.
TBD had the longest reign as Inter coach, with nine years (eight consecutive) in charge, and is the most successful coach in Firpo history with three Primera division wins.
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)
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]
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Players
Current squad
As of 2020: [11] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Current technical staff
- As of 01 May 2020
Reserve League squadCD 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.
Corporate structure
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