Firpo opened the score in the eleventh minute after Raúl Toro was fouled by Jorge Abrego.  Abrego received a yellow card and Toro made the free kick.  As if with his hand, Toro placed the ball on Mauricio Dos Santos' head for the 1x0 score that put the bulls ahead.  From then on, the game was evenly played, with a slight advantage for Firpo, who won the midfield. In the 39th minute the referee sanction a non-existent foul inside the penalty area for a penalty shot for FAS, but the famous Miguel "the rooster" Mariano sent the shot, and FAS best chance to score, over the bar.  That's how the first half ended. 

In the second half Julio Escobar, Firpo's coach, sent in Nenei, who joined the club on thursday after a leave of absence, for young Jorge Alemán in the attack.  FAS, however, went in decided to score the tying goal.  They went on the offensive.   Against this, Firpo gave away the midfield and got ready to counterattack.  And the bulls almost scored the second goal when Nenei missed a clear cut opportunity.  In the 11th minute another penalty shot was awarded to FAs after a Firpo defender touched the ball with his hand inside the area.  This time the Honduran Wagner converted the shot, and the game was even to one goal a piece.  Celio Rodríguez had two more opportunities to score but Fito Melénez, FAs goalie, stopped him cold.  The second half ended with FAS owning the game. 

The first 15 extra minutes showed a relentless offensive attack by FAS due to Firpo's inability to win the midfield, eventhough José Monterrosa and René Durán entered the game in the second half as substitutes to do just that.  But Firpo defense stopped every FAS attack .  In the second half Firpo got back the midfield and went on the offensive.  Having the chance to score in Durán's boots, twice, in the last minute, but the ball went inches wide off the post.  The round of penalty shot would decide the champion. 

In the round of penalty shots FAS missed one shot, Firpo didn't miss one , and the bulls won the Cup.  Misael Alfaro, the goalie; Carlos Castro Borja; Celio; Nenei; and Toro made Firpo's penalty shots in that order.  Toro, being the last to score, put the golden seal to a game that will become a classic in the history of National Championship Games. 

The game's MVP was given to the Brazilian Mauricio Dos Santos for his defense on the "Rooster" Mariano.  Mariano did not live up to his nickname the rooster, he played more like a beheaded chicken!  Dos Santos made the chicken disappeared from the game.  The Brazilian was his shadow throughout the game.  Dos Santos made the chicken so nervous that he missed a penalty shot!  Good job Mauricio!  Now, there is only a little matter of celebrating our sixth crown...  Back to News 

Firpo started the game by controlling the midfield and putting pressure on Miguel Montes, ADET's goalie.  However, that control  and pressure was not converted into goals by the Bulls.  Héctor Canjura, Celio Rodríguez, Abraham Monterrosa, Nelson Montoya, and Washington Hernández had their chances, but they did not convert.  ADET was giving a lot of opportunities to the Bulls because they seem nervous.  And understandable so, for it was their first title game. 

But the Bucks lost the nervousness and the game settle into a good rhythm with plays at both ends of the field.  And during one of these plays at ADET's end in the 27th minute, Firpo made a corner kick that was sent to a charging Mauricio Dos Santos, who, using his head, sent the ball into the net.  It was a just score because of Firpo early efforts to find the net.  ADET reacted by going into a more offensive mindset.  And at the 44th minute they almost scored.  Salvador Alfaro, after a tremendous run from midfield, found himself with the ball at his feet and all alone against Misael Alfaro, Firpo and the National Team's goalie, but sent his shot over the bar and into the stands. 

Both teams did not make changes to their lineups at the start of the second half.  ADET came out running and with the equalizer in mind.  The Bucks put Firpo against their own goal line and did not let the Bulls set their offense.  And Firpo started to play careless football.  Salvador Alfaro at the 17th minute sent a seemingly harmless cross that found Juan Carlos Panameño heading it between two defenders and sending the ball pass a stretching Misael Alfaro and into the net for the equalizer.  Julio Escobar, Firpo's coach, sent in René Durán and Raúl Toro for Nelson Montoya and Nelson Quintanilla, respectively.  This maneuver left Firpo with an unusual 3-4-3 scheme.  Both teams had their chances during the rest of the game.  ADET controlled the midfield for a part of the second half, but Firpo answered back by putting the pressure on Montes again.  Regulation time ended with a 1x1 draw and there would be 30 minutes of over time. 

Over time found both team not risking too much on defense and they seem happy to go to penalty shutouts. 

In the penalty shutouts Firpo would kick first.  Misael Alfaro sent his kick directly to Montes, who had no trouble stopping it.  Firpo's next four shooters (Durán, Rodríguez, Borja, and Toro) would not miss, and neither would ADET's.  So, ADET's last shooter, Mario Sigüenza, had the opportunity to give the Bucks their first title in team history, but he missed.  Firpo had one more chance.  In all, the players made 25 penalty shots, and it would be Sigüenza again who would miss his penalty shot to give the Bulls their seventh crown in twelve years.  Our beloved Bulls, ladies and gentlemen, are kings!! 

TO THE MEMORY OF DON SERGIO TORRES 

Players and coaches, during post game interviews, dedicated their seventh crown to the memory of Don Sergio Torres who died last Thursday.  Torres was the architect of Firpo's dynasty when he purchased the team in the mid 1980s.  Thank you Don Sergio...  Back to News 

The first goal was an early one.  Abraham Monterrosa scored the first goal of the afternoon just two minutes into the game.  But the Aguila players took exception and sent Monterrosa to the hospital with a mild sprained right knee eight minutes after he scored.  Firpo kept calm and tried to protect the lead with an offensive game plan that Santos Cabrera, Monterrosa's substitute,  ran to perfection.  Firpo's hard work on offense paid off after Nelson Quintanilla in the 16th minute scored the second goal for the champs.  However, Julio Escobar, the Bulls' coach, had to make an unscheduled substitution when he sent Marcos Portillo in place of Quintanilla, who was forced to abandon the game due to the hard and dangerous tackling of Aguila's defense, who had the shameful and dubious record of injuring both Firpo goal-scorers.  But even without two of their best players in the pitch, Firpo showed quality and beautiful football against the desperation and ugly, dangerous play of Aguila. 

The second half saw Aguila trying to cut Firpo's lead in half, but their players could not even pass midfield.  Aguila's coach sent in Waldir Guerra as a substitute for Miguel "Gallo" Mariano to give a little push to his team.  But due to the excellent defense by Mauricio Dos Santos and Carlos Castro Borja, Guerra was a non factor in the game.  And in the 12th minute, Aguila's defenseman Guadalupe Martínez finally got what he deserved, a red card for falling Castro Borja and for kicking him while he was down.  Surprisingly, Dos Santos also was sent off after pointing to the referee that Martínez had been going after player's legs since the first half. 

Firpo did not miss Dos Santos, for in the 21st minute of the second half, after keeper Misael Alfaro crushed a free kick into the wall, Freddy Víchez got the rebound and sent it to the bottom of the net.  Three minutes later, Uruguayan striker Washington Hernández made a run on the right flank of the field after a pass from Cabrera, and with a give and go with Víchez, scored the fourth goal of the afternoon. 

Aguila was completely lost.  Firpo was the best team in the pitch and controlled every line.  They were just toying with Aguila.  In the 29th minute, Víchez scored once again and put the final 5x0 score on the board.  From that moment on, every attack Aguila tried was met with a dangerous counter attack by Firpo, and if it had not been for Hernández and Cabrera's bad aim in the final stages of the game, it would had been a larger margin of victory for our Bulls. 

Firpo was better than Aguila in every respect this afternoon.  Now, they prepare for their clash against Alianza next weekend.  Firpo is all alone in second place and chasing the now nervous leaders Municipal Limeño, who are looking behind their shoulder and seeing a runaway train with the name of Firpo going all steam ahead towards the top of the standings. 

Lineup: Alfaro, Dos Santos, Joya, García, Montoya, Borja (Gámez '61), Quintanilla (Portillo '24), Monterrosa (Cabrera '10), Canjura, Víchez, and Hernández. 
 
 

FIRPO DOWNS THREE-TIME MLS CHAMP DC UNITED 

Friday night our Bulls defeated DC United, three-time MLS Champ and ex Interamerican Cup holder, by a score of 2x1 in a game corresponding to the friendly quadrangular to raise money to rebuild Estadio Barraza of San Miguel. 

Although United goal in the 24th minute was an own goal by Mario Joya, keeper Alfaro had a hand in it when he misplayed the back pass from Joya letting the ball roll to the empty net.  However, Alfaro vindicated himself when he struck a tremendous marvelous free kick tree minutes later for the equalizer. 

In the 88th minute, Toro, the legendary Raúl Toro, who entered the game as substitute for Víchez, demonstrated his experience when he won a penalty kick when defender Goodlett brushed him in the box.  Toro's goal sealed the victory and helped Firpo finished second in the four team tournament behind Dragón. 

Raúl Diaz Arce, Firpo former superstriker entered the game in the 63rd minute, but could not propel United to a victory. 

Firpo's lineup: Alfaro (Deras, '46),  Joya, Dos Santos, García, Canjura, Quintanilla, Cabrera (Monterrosa, '73), Borja, Renderos Iraheta, Hernández, Víchez (Toro, '59).  Back to News 

It seem the game was destined to end as a draw until Hidzar Enríquez's free kick found Celio Rodríguez in the right side.  Celio put across to the area where there were three Firpo players ready to send it home, but it was Víchez who with a powerful shot sent Firpo to the top  of the standings and kept our Bulls undefeated this season. 

Balboa fought hard to keep the 1x1 draw and wrestle a point from Firpo, and maybe the Cyclone of the Gulf did not deserve to lose, but it was Firpo who put the offensive effort through out the game and play consistently in front of the Balboa goal line.  It was our Bulls dominated the second half, moved the right players, and did not let up until the final whistle. 

Elías Montes scored his league leading eighth goal of the season in the 29th minute of the game after a spectacular play by Santos Cabrera that left Montes alone against Balboa goalkeeper Miguel Lopez.  But Balboa drew even five minutes before the end of the half when Honduran striker Franklin Webster scored against Misael Alfaro. 

Our Bulls are following Coach Milos Miljanic's instructions to the letter and his tactics are giving back the team the qualities that were key to winning seven titles in ten years.  Last night Miljanic again made the right choices.  He sent Wilbert Martínez for Mauricio Quintanilla in the 74th to keep the offensive pressure.  And in the 85th Víchez came into the game in time to scored his second of the season and to keep Firpo winning and on top of the table. 

After the 3x1 victory over ADET last Wednesday and last night win over Balboa, Firpo sums 12 points and is all alone at the top of the standings awaiting the results of Sunday's game between FAS and Aguila.  Firpo's next game will be against Municipal Limeño in Usulután in week eight of the Apertura Tournament. 

Firpo's line up:  Alfaro, Henríquez, González, and García.  Quintanilla (Martínez '74), Cabrera (Víchez '85), Canjura, Barrientos, and Morán.  Celio and Montes.  Back to News 

The Copa TACA is a prestigious tournament in D.C. in which the winners and runner-ups of all the local leagues participate. Among the All-Stars best players are ex-Firpo players Carlos Hernández, Pedro Vázquez, Arnaldo Coreas and others who played at one time or another in Firpo's reserves squad. Also, there are other players who were members of other First Division teams in El Salvador like Enoc Sarmiento and Marlon Medrano, who was a member of the El Salvador National Team a few years ago.  

Firpo will face a difficult team: this is the same All-Stars team that defeated El Salvador's champs Aguila last year in D.C. by a 2x0 score.  

This will be the second trip the team makes to the United States in September. Originally, Firpo had scheduled three friendlies, but the terrorist attacks on September 11 in New York suspended the Firpo-Platense game in that city on Saturday, September 16. Earlier this month, Firpo played a 1x1 draw against Tigres of the Mexican first division in Atlanta.  

These type of friendlies help mesh the team. The players have displayed at times a thorough understanding of Coach Miljanic's game plans. And now, with the help of Elías Montes, the leading goalscorer in the tournament with eight goals, Firpo is all alone atop the standings and undefeated. These type of friendlies can only help improve players phisically and technically, as long as they stay injury free.  

After returning from Washington, D.C., our Bulls will face off against a wounded Municipal Limeño in Usulután in the last game of week 8 on Wednesday, October 3. Limeño lost 2x0 at ADET last Sunday and is now in sixth place with 10 points, five below Firpo. The side from Santa Rosa de Lima has played its last two matches without several starters due to injury, but their front office expects to have every starter back for the match against Firpo.  Back to News 

Nineteen-year-old Quintanilla combined with veteran Argentinean midfielder Emiliano Pedrozo for a perfect touch-and-go play which resulted in Quintanilla putting the ball pass keeper Misael Alfaro in the 9th for the eventual game winner score. Knowing very well that Firpo plays with up to seven men in the attack, Aguila took adavantage of an exposed defense to counter attack, and being Aguila one of the best counter attacking sides in the league, the eagles brought danger to Firpo's end of the field in more than one occasion. 

Firpo dominated play after Aguila scored, but the home side defenders, pushed by the never ending roar of the black-and-orange clad fans, were always able to find the ball and create counter attacking chances just in time to stop Firpo from scoring. 

The defeat leaves the Bulls in third place behind Aguila and Alianza. Aguila has 16 points, same as Firpo, but they have better goal differential. Alianza is on top of the standings with 17 points thanks to their 5x2 win over fast fading Balboa. 

The Bulls are now scheduled to travel to New York for a friendly match against Honduras' champions Platense on Sunday, October 14. This match was originally scheduled for Sunday, September 16, but it was postponed due to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11. Firpo returns to San Miguel to face Dragón in their week 10 match at 7 pm (Salvadoran time) on Wednesday, October 10 and then flies to New York on Friday. 

The match against Platense will be the Bulls' third match in the United States in less than two months. Firpo played Mexico's Tigres to a 1-1 draw in Atlanta and defeated the Copa TACA All-Stars by a 2-1 score in Washington D. C. last month.  Back to News 
 

The first half of the match was surprisingly even due to the good play of Dragón's Argentine midfielder Mariano Rodríguez, who opened the score in the 28th minute. Firpo displayed the usual offensive disposition, always going forward, which seems to leave the defense vulnerable to counter attacks, and that's exactly what Dragón did. 

Dragón surprised Firpo again scoring what proved to be the game winner in the 32nd minute of the second half. After that, Firpo became an avalanche against Dragón's side of the pitch, where the local team employed up to nine players to defend the two goal advantage. A few minutes after the second goal, Elías Montes scored his ninth goal of the tournament, which leaves him two tallies behind scoring leader Adonay Martínez of Alianza. The Bulls dominated the rest of the match and tried to score the equalizer, but to no avail. 

The defeat leaves the Bulls in third place behind Aguila and Alianza. Aguila has 16 points, same as Firpo, but they have better goal differential. Alianza is on top of the standings with 17 points. Aguila and Alianza face each other on Sunday in San Salvador for their week 10 match. 

The Bulls are now scheduled to travel to New York today for a friendly match against Honduras champions Platense on Sunday, October 14. This match was originally scheduled for Sunday, September 16, but it was postponed due to the terrorist attacks on September 11 in New York and Washington, D. C. 

The fans are concerned. They attribute the last two setbacks in San Miguel to the many matches the team has been playing due to the constant travels to the USA. Firpo has played 10 matches in 5 and a half weeks, including friendlies and league play. The match against Dragón was the team's fourth in the last two weeks. 

Playing two games a week leaves little time to train and that is a concern for the coaching staff. However, the fans in the USA have been asking for the team to play in their new hometowns. And the front office has made a tremendous job by bringing the team to the fans, many of whom have not seen Firpo play in many years. When the team played in Atlanta and Washington, the fans came to the stadiums in droves. These friendlies benefit the fans and helps the team financially. 

This Sunday in New York, let's hope the fans come out and support our Bulls the way they did in Atlanta and Washington.  Back to News 

FAS is in third place with 23 points, the same number of points as Aguila, which is in second place behind Alianza because they enjoy a better goal differential than FAS. Firpo, meanwhile, is trailing FAS by three points in the standings. FAS has a two match winning streak, and even though they have defeated Dragón and Marte, which have been occupying the bottom of the standings through out the season, they have also had some success against the heavies in this tournament drawing Firpo and Aguila away and Alianza at home. 

Firpo has an obligation to go to Santa Ana and wrestle three points from FAS. This match becomes a six point game in the minds of the players, for if FAS defeats the Bulls, they open a six point lead in the standings against Firpo. But if the Bulls beat FAS, they will be even with FAS and regain some lost ground in the race for a semifinal spot. And if the results from other matches are favorable to Firpo, mainly Dragón defeating Aguila (highly unlikely), Alianza winning against Limeño (which could happen), and ADET surprising Metapán with a win or a draw, the Bulls could be in second place come Thursday morning. 

Perhaps it's not productive to speculate about results that might or might not happen, but it does show how competitive the tournament has become (there is a three point difference between second and sixth place). It also speaks volumes of the excellent job by Firpo during the first half of the tournament, where the Bulls took an eight match undefeated streak into week nine, because after losing three of their last five matches and drawing one, the Bulls are still in the hunt for a place in the semifinals. 

The only thing working against our Bulls is that four of their next five matches are on the road (against FAS, ADET, Balboa, and Limeño). Firpo will host Aguila the last week of the regular season. It is not difficult to imagine Firpo going into that last match against Aguila with a semifinal spot already secured. But for that to become a reality, Firpo must be successful tonight against FAS, for the road to the semifinals starts tonight in Santa Ana.  Back to News 

Alfaro suffered the second contusion of his career when he collided with Firpo defenseman Wellman González. The collision occurred during the 40th minute of play and Alfaro had just point blank stopped FAS strikers William Reyes and Torres Alegría. Alfaro lost consciousness for a few minutes and had to be taken to a nearby hospital for observations. He has recovered and will miss several matches. Dagoberto Portillo will be the starting 'keeper during Alfaro's absence. 

Each half of the match belonged to each team. FAS dominated the first half and scored first with a Reyes tally. With the inclusion of Héctor Canjura at halftime, the Bulls increased the mobility of their midfield. Santos Cabrera scored the equalizer and defenseman Mauricio Dos Santos scored the winner in the closing minutes of the match. 

Midfielder Cabrera has been playing extremely well lately. He has scored in his last two matches and scored against Mexico in the friendly between El Salvador National Team and Mexico on October 31 in Puebla, Mexico. That match ended with a 4x1 Mexican victory. Also, the Los Angeles Galaxy seems interested in the Bulls midfielder; the MLS side has extended an invitation to Cabrera to attend training camp next year to compete for a spot in the team. 

Cabrera has helped Firpo jump from sixth to fourth place in the tournament, with FAS in third place thanks to a better, albeit slim, three goal differential. Next up for our Bulls is ADET. ADET surprised Metapán with a 3x1 victory at Metapán on Wednesday. The bucks are desperately trying to keep away from the relegation zone, where Marte has been stuck since week 1. It will be a tough assignment for Firpo against a desperate side. The match is scheduled for today Saturday at 3 PM (Salvadoran time) at Ana Mercedes Campo stadium in Sonsonate.  Back to News 

With a two-goal perfromance by Celio Rodríguez and an early score (minute '2) by René Durán, Firpo defeated ADET last Saturday in Sonsonate. It's the Bulls' third consecutive win since losing three straight early in the Apertura. Eventhough the Bulls did not have starters keeper Misael Alfaro (out for a month with a contusion) and striker Elías Montes (injured jaw), Firpo dominated the game against the bucks. 

The match against ADET was the second of four consecutive matches Firpo will have to play. The first such match was in Santa Ana and ended with a 2x1 victory over FAS. The third one will be against Balboa on Saturday and the last road game of the regular season will be against Limeño. Our Bulls close the regular season against Aguila in Usulután. 

Coach Milos Miljanic hopes to have Montes, his leading goalscorer and third best striker in the tournament, for the match against Balboa. Montes injured his jaw when he collided with Metapán golie Fito Menéndez in their November 3 match in Usulután. 

Firpo has an excellent opportunity against Balboa. The cyclone of the gulf, as the team is known, has an abysmal record at home and has practically no chance to advance to the semifinals. Also, Firpo could take advantage of the match between Aguila and FAS.  Back to News  

Although yesterday's win does not secure a semifinal spot (Firpo could finish second or end up in a one game playoff if tied for fourth), it does relive the pressure of trying to win the last match of the season and then wait and see what the other contenders did. Now the pressure is on the other teams below our Bulls: FAS, Limeño and Metapán. The most important match for all involved is the FAS-Metapán match, for the loser is eliminated and a draw will be of no value if Limeño earns a win on the road against Dragón. 

All Firpo needs to capture a spot in the semis is a draw against the defending champions Aguila in Usulután. A win will help our Bulls leapfrog Aguila into second place and set a showdown with Aguila in the semis. A loss next weekend will make the Limeño-Dragón match very important because if Dragón wins or draws, Firpo is in regarless of the result against Aguila. 

Can Firpo be eliminated? The only way Firpo can be left behind is if Firpo loses to Aguila and both Limeño and FAS win their matches. This would put Firpo against Limeño in a one match playoff with the winner advancing as the fourth seed facing Alianza in the semis. Firpo has the advantage, however, thanks to their victory yesterday, because Limeño and FAS face do or die matches. 

Yesterday match was won by Argentine defender Diego Alvarez with a golazo in the 20th minute of the second half. Five minutes earlier, Celio had scored to even the boards at one goal a piece. The home team scored just after the second half got under way. The roosters dominated the scoreless first half, but Firpo woke up after that first goal and ended up dominating the match in the second half. Of course, it helped that a Limeño player was sent off for elbowing Memo Morán in the mouth midway through the second half.  Back to News 

Two weeks ago, Firpo was considered the team with the least possibilities to advance to the semis given their tough schedule -- a visit to Santa Rosa de Lima to play Limeño and then home to face defending champs Aguila. To the critics, the scoreless draw against Balboa three weeks ago had left our Bulls with little chance and were expected to do poorly against home team Limeño and the champs. But Firpo went to Limeño's house to win the three points, and were rude hosts to an Aguila side that had started the three-match losing skid midway through the season. 

Yesterday's match proved to be a difficult one, as they always are against Aguila. With an even first half, but with Aguila being more organized in the attack thanks to the excellent job by Rodinei Martins in the midfield, Firpo tried to surprised the young Aguila keeper Juan Gómez with long distance shots that died in the hands of the keeper. 

Even though the scoreless draw gave the Bulls a spot in the semis, Firpo wanted more and came out of the locker room throwing punches. In the 16th, Morán took control of the ball on top of the key and, with effortless dribbling, he brilliantly split two defenders to score the fist tally for our Bulls. Ten minutes later Santos Cabrera tried the same play but was punished and dropped to the ground. The referee sanctioned ta penalty kick that Cabrera converted for a two-nil edge. Firpo was on a roll. 

Aguila sent in Brazilian Prodiguer in order to attack with their three Brazilian strikers -- Nunez, Martins, and Prodiguer. Firpo answered with another strike in the 79th. Canjura was the recipient of Cabrera-Durán play that allowed him to take a cross to Celio, who was charging towards the goal. Celio found Canjura's cross and headed it home for a three-nil advantage. Prodiguer later scored Aguila's only goal of the afternoon. 

Firpo now faces Aguila in the semis for the fourth consecutive time, with the last two ending in clear victories for Aguila. With yesterday's win, however, our Bulls are letting the champs know that this time around it will not be easy. It will be a battle.  Back to News