Alajuelense Fútbol Femenino

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]}

Alajuelense Femenil

Full name	Liga Deportiva Alajuelense Femenil
Nickname(s)	Manudas, Rojinegras, Leonas
Founded	April 9, 2019 (2019-04-09)[1]
Stadium	Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto
Capacity	17,895
President	Joseph Joseph
Sporting director	Mercedes Salas[2]
Manager	Wilmer López
League	Costa Rican Women's Premier Division
2023 Clausura	1st, Champions
Website	https://lda.cr/
Primary colours Secondary colours Tertiary colours

As of 5 June 2023^[update], 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^[update], 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^[update], it was also the only club in Costa Rica to field a women's team at all levels of competition.^[14]

History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See also: es:Alajuelense Fútbol Femenino

Year-by-year

As of 3 June 2023^[update].^[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%	–	Priscila Chinchilla	24	Edgar Rodríguez Carranza [es]
2019[b]	Champions	3rd	1st	36	25	3	8	110	45	78	72%	–	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%	–	María Paula Salas	3	Edgar Rodríguez Carranza [es]
2020	3rd	3rd[c]	20	12	2	6	52	20	38	63%	–	Priscila Chinchilla	12	Edgar Rodríguez Carranza Wilmer López
Apertura 2021	Champions	1st[c]	18	10	4	4	40	17	34	63%	–	Marta Cox	9	Wilmer López
Clausura 2021	Champions	1st[c]	18	16	2	0	58	13	50	93%	Champions[d]	Fernanda Barrantes	10
Apertura 2022	Champions	1st[c]	18	14	4	0	57	10	46	85%	3rd[e]	Mia Corbin	15
Clausura 2022	Champions	3rd[c]	18	12	1	5	42	29	37	68%	Runners-up[d][e]	Mia Corbin	17
Apertura 2023	Champions	1st[c]	16	13	2	3	57	15	40	83%	–	Kenia Rangel Natalia Mills	8

1. As CODEA
2. As Alajulenese CODEA
3. First phase
4. Super Cup
5. Cup

Honors

Championships won by Alajuelense Femenil:

International

• UNCAF Women's Interclub Championship (2): 2022, 2023^[52][48]

National

• Costa Rican Women's Premier Division (7): 2019, 2021 Apertura, 2021 Clausura, 2022 Apertura, 2022 Clausura, 2023 Apertura, 2023 Clausura^[59][60][61]
• Short Championship (1): 2019 Clausura^[28][62][32]
• Super Copa Costa Rica (2): 2021, 2023^[63][64]

Managers

Primera División managers:

• Edgar Rodríguez Carranza [es] (2019–2020)^[65][66]
• Wilmer López (2020—)^[67]

Players

See also: Category:Alajuelense Fútbol Femenino footballers

Current squad

As of 21 August 2024.^[68]

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  CRC Noelia Bermúdez 2 DF  CRC María José Brenes 3 DF  CRC Gabriela Guillén 4 DF  CRC Paula Coto 6 DF  PAN Natalia Mills 7 MF  CRC Viviana Chinchilla 8 MF  CRC Mariela Campos 10 MF  CRC Shirley Cruz

No. Pos. Nation Player 11 MF  PAN Kenia Rangel 14 DF  CRC Fabiola Villalobos 16 MF  CRC Marilenis Oporta [es] 20 DF  CRC Alexandra Pinell 21 DF  CRC Sofía Arguedas 25 FW  CRC Sianif Agüero [es] 30 MF  CRC Saray Benavides — DF  DOM Gabriella Cuevas

See also

• Liga Deportiva Alajuelense
• Costa Rican Women's Premier Division

References

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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. 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.
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18. Leandro, Harold (14 January 2020). "Dirigente de Codea: "En el fútbol femenino lo mejor está por venir"". El Observador CR (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 September 2021.
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20. Hernández, Camilo (2 October 2017). "Codea Alajuela conquistó el cetro y asciende a primera división..." Futbol Costa Rica (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 September 2019.
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26. "LDA – Lixy Rodríguez es la nueva contratación de nuestro equipo Liga-Codea". lda.cr. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
27. "Noelia Bermúdez se marcha del Saprissa a las filas de las campeonas Codea Alajuelense". Teletica (in Spanish). 26 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
28. "Alajuelense Codea remonta para jugar la final nacional e impone récord de asistencia en el fútbol femenino". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
29. "Codea Alajuelense gana el Torneo de Clausura y se medirá en la gran final a Saprissa". everardoherrera.com. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
30. "Codea Alajuela vence a Moravia CSH y disputará el title del fútbol femenino ante Saprissa". Teletica (in Spanish). 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
31. "Con récord de asistencia en un partido de Liga Femenina, Alajuelense-CODEA goleó a Moravia y se coronó Campeón del Clausura". Sensación Deportiva. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
32. "Codea Alajuelense es campeón del Clausura 2019". CRHoy.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2019.
33. "¡Liga campeón! Alajuelense Codea se sonó a Moravia Herediano en la final del Clausura". La Teja, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
34. "Final nacional de fútbol femenino empieza con vibrante empate 1–1 entre Saprissa FF y Alajuelense Codea". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
35. "Alajuelense tiñe de rojinegro una final histórica en el fútbol femenino". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 17 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
36. "Alajuelense rompe el molde: dio premio económico a sus jugadoras por ser campeonas del fútbol femenino". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
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.
42. "Final del Torneo de Apertura: CS Herediano y Alajuelense empataron a 2–2 en la final de ida" (in Spanish). Unión Femenina de Fútbol. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
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47. "Alajuelense es indomable y reina a placer en el fútbol femenino". La Nación (in Spanish). 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
48. Castro, Claudia (17 September 2022). "LD Alajuelense se corona campeón del Torneo Interclubes Femenino Uncaf Fifa Forward 2022". uncafut.com (in European Spanish). Retrieved 18 September 2022.
49. "¡Impresionante! Las leonas tienen un promedio de 9 goles por partido". La Teja (in Spanish). 17 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
50. "Alajuelense y Saprissa reparten tieso y parejo en torneo femenino de Uncaf". La Teja (in Spanish). 14 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
51. "¡Qué pecado! Alajuelense humilló de la forma más dura a equipo de Belice". La Teja (in Spanish). 12 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
52. "Clásico es ver a Alajuelense femenino derrotar a Saprissa". La Teja (in Spanish). 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
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.
55. "Alajuelense amplía su dinastía en el fútbol femenino al lograr el tetracampeonato". ESPN.com.mx (in Spanish). 19 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
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.
57. "La dinastía sigue: Alajuelense llegó al pentacampeonato con épica remontada". La Nación (in Spanish). 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
58. UNIFFUT [@UniffutCR] (2 December 2018). "#FutFemCR: Tabla acumulada tras jugarse las 28 jornadas de este 2018.pic.twitter.com/zBQ9v26EK6" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2019 – via Twitter.
59. C, Ariel Delgado. "Liga Deportiva Alajuelense se corona como nuevo campeón nacional". Allan Martinez. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
60. "Costa Rica (Women) 2021". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
61. "Costa Rica – List of Women Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
62. "Codea Alajuela vence a Moravia CSH y disputará el title del fútbol femenino ante Saprissa". Teletica (in Spanish). 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
63. "Liga Deportiva Alajuelense se corona súper campeón del fútbol femenino de Costa Rica". delfino.cr (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
64. "LEONAS SUPERCAMPEONAS" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 June 2024.
65. González, Ericka. "DT de Codea-LDA: "Hay un antes y un después de esta historia"" (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
66. "Edgar Rodríguez, el poaseño que busca darle a Codea Alajuela otro title nacional". Teletica (in Spanish). 11 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
67. "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.
68. "Liga Deportiva Alajuelense Femenino". Camiseta 10. Retrieved 21 August 2024.

External links

• Official website
• uniffut.com