C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo

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.
The club is the second-oldest in El Salvador and was founded as Tecún Umán on September 17, 1923, by a group of local citizens in Usulután. It was soon renamed in honor of Argentine boxer Luis Ángel Firpo, who became the first Latin American to fight for the heavyweight championship, knocking Jack Dempsey out of the ring on September 14, 1923. Firpo has played at their home ground, Estadio Sergio Torres, since 1930. The team's mascot is the bull, a reference to Firpo, who was known as the Wild Bull of the Pampas. 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.
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 Division Champions championships, the first coming in 1988–89 and the most recent in the 2013 Clausura. The club's most successful period was between 1988 and 2000, when they won the El Salvadoran title seven times. Firpo has the fourth highest total of major honours won by a Salvadoran club. Their historical rival is Aguila and their local rival is Aguila.
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 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, 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.
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. 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.
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.
On September, 2023 the club celebrated a centenary of existence, the club played a friendly against Guatemalan giant Municipal, which the clun lost 1-0.
Honours
Luis Angel Firpo is historically the fourth most successful team in El Salvador football, as they have won ten championships. it occupy the top position in the ranking of the Usulutan football based teams. The club's most recent trophy came in June 2013, with the Clausura 2013.
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 (2) : 1990-1991, 2000
CONCACAF
CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Runners-up : 1995 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Club statistics and records
The Moroccan-born French midfielder TBD holds Firpo overall appearance record having played in 000 matches over the course of 14 seasons from 19 to 19. Following him is former goalkeeper TBD who contested 000 matches over the course of 11 seasons from 1997 to 2008.
The club's all-time leading scorer is Raúl Díaz Arce, who scored 119 goals while at the club from 19 to 19. Di Nallo is also third behind Chiesa and Coupet in all time appearances having played in TBD matches during his 14-year stint at the club. Despite Diaz Arce's impressive goalscoring record, he doesn't hold the record for most goals scored during a league season. That distinction was held by TBD who notched 00 goals, which he attained in the TBD season.
Firpo's biggest victory is 11–0, which occurred against Ajaccio in the 1953–54 edition of the Coupe de France and, two seasons later, against Delle in the 1955–56 edition of the competition. Firpo's biggest league victory is 11–0 which occurred during the 1995season against Cojutepeque. The club's biggest victory on the CONCACAF stage occurred during the 1995 season, where Firpo hammered Curaçao-based club CRKSV Jong Colombia 8–0.
TBD had the longest reign as Firpo 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. 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 Galaxia (since) . Prior manufacturers have been Galaxia (1999–2007, 2018), Kelme (2017) and Joma (2009–2013), Aviva (2018-TBD)
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.
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: Roberto D'Aubuisson (Former Mayor of Santa Tecla)
Presidents
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.
Players
Current squad
:
Players with dual citizenship
TBD
Out on loan
In
Out
Current technical staff
As of August, 2023
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Reserve League squad
CD Luis Ángel Firpo reserve squad plays in the twelve-team Primera División Reserves (El Salvador).
Corporate structure
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Notable players
Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 50 league games and/or have reached international status.
Captains
All-time XI
In 1998, as part of celebration of 75 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.
Managers
Salvadoran Guillermo Rivera has been the club's manager since 2022. Costa Rican Ramón Rodríguez Soto was Firpo's first manager from outside 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.
References
Association football clubs established in 1923
Firpo
1923 establishments in El Salvador