L.A. Firpo
Full nameClub Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo
Nickname(s)
  • Pamperos
  • Los Toros (The Bulls)
  • Los Ultralempinos (The Ultra Lempimes)
Short nameFirpo
FoundedSeptember 21, 1923 (September 21, 1923) 
GroundEstadio Sergio Torres
Capacity5,000
ChairmanEl Salvador TBD
ManagerEl Salvador TBD
LeaguePrimera División
2020 AperturaOverall: 7th
Playoffs: Semifinal

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

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.[2] Firpo has played at their home ground, Estadio Sergio Torres, since 1930.[3][4] 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.[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.

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

Cups

CONCACAF

  • Torneo de la Fraternidad de Centroamérica
    • Champion  : 1942

Club statistics and records

The salvadoran 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. TBD is also third behind TBD and TBD 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 is held by brazilian Toninho dos Santos who notched 28 goals, which he attained in the 1989-90 season.

Firpo's biggest victory is 11–0, which occurred against TBD 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 1995 season 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

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)

Period Company
1988-2008El Salvador Galaxia
2009-2013Spain Joma
2015El Salvador Toros
2016El Salvador Galaxia
2017Lebanon Kelme
2018El Salvador Galaxia
2018El Salvador AVIVA
2021-2022El Salvador Milan
2022–presentEl Salvador Galaxia

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

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.[9]

 
Name Years
El Salvador Belgium Gustavo Denys 1930
El Salvador Santiago González
El Salvador Julio López Jiménez
El Salvador Juan Víctor Boillat Flores 1950
El Salvador Gilberto Flores Huezo
El Salvador José Gregorio Zelaya
El Salvador Humberto López
El Salvador Sergio Torres Rivera 1987–1990
El Salvador Vicente Rogiero
El Salvador Galileo Castañeda
El Salvador Miguel Alcántara
 
Name Years
El Salvador David Urquilla
El Salvador Lorenzo Campos
El Salvador Salvador Jiménez
El Salvador Ramón Aparicio 1982
El Salvador Gustavo Torres Cerna 1983
El Salvador Miguel Infantozzi Flores
El Salvador Virgilio Machuca
El Salvador Rafael Baires
El Salvador Napoleón Osegueda
El Salvador Enrique Santos
El Salvador Fernando Alvarado
 
Name Years
El Salvador Ramiro Luna Boza 1971
El Salvador Ovidio Martínez
El Salvador William Flores Handal 1997–1999
El Salvador Juan Torres 1999–2000
El Salvador Jozsef Arguedas 2001–2010
El Salvador Enrique Escobar 2010–2011
El Salvador Carlos Mendez Flores 2011–2014
El Salvador Tony Saca 2014
El Salvador Raúl Mendoza Galo 2015–2017
El Salvador Modesto Torres[10] 2017–2019
El Salvador Juan Pablo Herrera 2020–2023
El Salvador TBD 2024–present

Players

Current squad

As of 8 January 2024: 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 El Salvador SLV Wilberth Hernández
2 DF El Salvador SLV Alexis Maravilla
4 DF El Salvador SLV Ronald Padilla
7 FW El Salvador SLV Styven Vásquez
8 El Salvador SLV Victor Garcia
9 FW Chile CHI Sebastián Julio
10 Paraguay PAR Oliver Almiron
11 Brazil BRA Mateusao
12 FW El Salvador SLV Diego Flores
14 MF El Salvador SLV Carlos Ruiz
16 El Salvador SLV Brian Martinez
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 El Salvador SLV Mauricio Cerritos
19 MF El Salvador SLV Enrique Rivas
21 El Salvador SLV Elías Gumero
22 El Salvador SLV Jose Alexi Quintanilla
23 El Salvador SLV Marlon Trejo
24 El Salvador SLV Jeremis Lemus
29 El Salvador SLV Misael Alexander Erazo
30 DF Colombia COL Tardelis Pena (captain)

Players with dual citizenship

  • El Salvador Mexico TBD

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
El Salvador SLV TBD (at TBD for the 2023-24 Apertura and Clausura)

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
El Salvador SLV Alberto Henriquez (From FAS)
El Salvador SLV Mario Martinez (From San Salvador F.C.)
El Salvador SLV TBD (From TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (From TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (From TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (From TBD)
No. Pos. Nation Player
El Salvador SLV TBD (From TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (From TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (From TBD)

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
GK El Salvador SLV Manuel González (To TBD)
DF El Salvador SLV Lizandro Claros (To Municipal Limeno)
DF El Salvador SLV Nelson Rodriguez (To Dragon)
Chile CHI Sebastián Julio (To Alianza)
Paraguay PAR Oliver Almiron (To TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (To TBD)
No. Pos. Nation Player
El Salvador SLV TBD (To TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (To TBD)
El Salvador SLV TBD (To TBD)

Current technical staff

As of January 2024

List of C.D. Luis Angel Firpo managers
RolePerson .
Head CoachArgentina Gabriel Alvarez (*)
Assistant Head CoachEl Salvador Gonzalo Muñoz (*)
Reserve Head CoachEl Salvador TBD
Sports DirectorEl Salvador Manuel "El Black" Martínez (*)
Under 17 CoachEl Salvador Carlos Martinez (*)
Fitness CoachEl Salvador Rafael Mariona (*)
Goalkeeping CoachEl Salvador Mauricio Vargas (*)
Physical TrainerEl Salvador tbd (*)
Fitness Coach/Sports TherapistEl Salvador TBD (*)
Team DoctorEl Salvador TBD
Equipment managerEl Salvador TBD (*)
Ladies team Head CoachEl Salvador TBD

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 El Salvador SLV Luis Campos
32 El Salvador SLV Juan José Lemus
33 El Salvador SLV José Castro Hernández
34 El Salvador SLV Steven Quintanilla
35 El Salvador SLV Edwin García
36 El Salvador SLV Gerson Rivas
37 El Salvador SLV Miguel Granados
38 El Salvador SLV Carlos Quiros
No. Pos. Nation Player
39 El Salvador SLV Bryan Membreño Perdomo
40 El Salvador SLV Edys Rodríguez
41 El Salvador SLV Rafael Gamez Bonilla
42 El Salvador SLV Miguel Ángel Ramírez
43 El Salvador SLV José Flores
44 El Salvador SLV César Carpio
45 El Salvador SLV Emerson Pineda

Corporate structure

As of January 2024
Club Administrative Staff
RolePersonSeason.
PresidentEl Salvador Ricardo Palacios2024-25
Vice-PresidentEl Salvador Eugenio Aviles2024-25
Assistant Vice-PresidentEl Salvador Macedonio Mejia2024-25
Sporting directorEl Salvador TBD2024-25
Assistant sporting directorEl Salvador TBD2024-25
Secretary generalEl Salvador Luis Quintanilla2024-25
Assistant Secretary generalEl Salvador TBD2024-25
TreasurerEl Salvador Jair Montaya2024-25
Assistant TreasurerEl Salvador Jesus Bindico2024-25
Television ManagerEl Salvador TBD2024-25
Assistant ManagerEl Salvador TBD2024-25
Sports Marketing ManagerEl Salvador TBD2024-25
Assistant Sports Marketing ManagerEl Salvador TBD2024-25
Legal RepresentativeEl Salvador TBD2024-25

Notable players

Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 50 league games and/or have reached international status.

National player International Player Naturalized Player

Captains

Years Captain
1967-1968 El Salvador Ernesto Bolívar
1982 El Salvador Amadeo Machado “Tractor” (DF)
1984–1985 El Salvador Abraham "El Peñero" Vazquez (DF)
1988–1989 El Salvador Abraham "El Peñero" Vazquez (DF)
1990–1992 El Salvador Miguel Estrada Cuerno (DF)
1993, 1998, 2000 El Salvador Leonel Carcamo (DF)
1999 Brazil El Salvador Celio Rodríguez (DF)
2003–2004 El Salvador Héctor Canjura (DF)
2005–2006 El Salvador Jorge Sanchez (DF)
2007–2008 El Salvador Guillermo Morán (DF)
2009–2010 El Salvador Manuel Salazar (DF)
2010–2013 El Salvador Jorge Sanchez (DF)
2013 El Salvador Dennis Alas (MF)
2013, 2015 El Salvador Mauricio Quintanilla (MF)
2014 Panama Anel Canales (FW)
2015 El Salvador Marlon Martínez (MF)
2016–2017 El Salvador Honduras Williams Reyes (FW)
2017 * El Salvador Isaac Zelaya (MF)
2017–2018 Colombia Jhony Rios (DF)
2018 Argentina Rodrigo de Brito (DF)
2019 El Salvador Edwin Martinez (DF)
2020–2021 Colombia Tardelis Peña (DF)
2022 Trinidad and Tobago Jomal Williams (FW)
2022–2023 El Salvador Eduardo Vigil (DF)
2023–present Colombia Tardelis Pena (DF)

All-time XI

El Salvador
Werner Ortiz
Brazil
Nelson de Moraes
El Salvador
Melendez Campos
Brazil
Fernando De Moura
Honduras
Enamorado
Uruguay
Victor Pereira
Luis Angel Firpo All-time First 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.

Position Player Years at club
GKEl Salvador Werner Ortiz (+)1955
RBBrazil Nelson de Moraes1979–1980
RCBEl Salvador Luis Antonio Regalado (+)1939–52
LCBEl Salvador José Francisco Jovel1972–78; 1984–87
LBEl Salvador Melendez Campos1975–78
RMUruguay Victor PereiraTBD
CDMBrazil Fernando De Moura1989–1992
CMEl Salvador Mauricio Cienfuegos1988–91; 1994–96
LMChile Raúl Toro Basáez1991–2000
RWEl Salvador Raul Diaz Arce1991–96
LWHonduras Armando Enamorado1956–58

Managers

Argentinean Gabriel Alvarez has been the club's manager since 2024. 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 (back to back championships).

Managers with at least one trophy
Name Period Trophies
Chile Julio Escobar 1987-1989, 1994–1995, 1997–1998, 1999-May 2001 4 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional
North Macedonia Kiril Dojcinovski 1991–1993, 1995–1996, November 1996-December 1996 2 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional
Uruguay Juan Carlos Masnik 1990–1991 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional
Argentina Horacio Cordero July 2007–November 2007 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional
Argentina Gerardo Reinoso January 2008–May 2008 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional
Argentina Roberto Gamarra March 2013–September 2013, November 2020–February 2022 1 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional

References

  1. Gráfico, El. "Firpo quiere encender la caldera ante Metapán". elgrafico.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Guandique, Ever. "Ever's Applets\LA Firpo Page\Archivo". FanSpace.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  6. "El Firpo vuelve a segunda después de 32 años". El Gráfico. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  7. "Firpo pierde y dice adiós a la Primera División". El Gráfico. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  8. "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.
  9. "Luís Ángel Firpo y Metapán a la gran final del fútbol salvadoreño". Archived from the original on March 26, 2008.
  10. "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.
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