MIAMI, Florida – The 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League kicks off with New York City FC paying a visit to Costa Rican side and SCCL debutants Santos de Guapiles in the first leg of their Round of 16 series on Tuesday night at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica.
For NYCFC, there is a bit of a feeling of déjà vu, as two years ago in the 2020 edition they made their SCCL debut against another Costa Rican club making its SCCL debut, AD San Carlos.
That Round of 16 first leg ended in a 5-3 triumph for NYCFC and they would like nothing better than to achieve a similar result in Tuesday’s contest.
The 2021 MLS champions boast many of the same weapons that carried them to a quarterfinal finish in 2020, including 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner Valentine Castellanos (19 goals) and midfield maestro Maxi Moralez (11 assists).
NYCFC can also take confidence in the fact that teams from the United States have won their last seven matches against Costa Rican clubs in SCCL play.
Santos will be looking to change that narrative after qualifying as one of the top six finishers from the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf League.
The Ticos are led by the likes of MF Osvaldo Rodriguez, who starred during the 2021 SCL with two goals and four assists and DF Pablo Arboine, who is quite familiar with NYCFC, having played against them with San Carlos in the 2020 SCCL.
Match Officials
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Match: |
SANTOS DE GUAPILES (COSTA RICA) VS NEW YORK CITY FC (USA) |
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Referee: |
JOSE TORRES (Puerto Rico) |
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Assistant Referee 1: |
DAVID MORAN (El Salvador) |
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Assistant Referee 2: |
ENMANUEL AGUIRRE (Nicaragua) |
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Fourth Official: |
MELVIN MATAMOROS (Honduras) |
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VAR: |
FERNANDO GUERRERO (Mexico) |
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AVAR: |
IVAN BARTON (El Salvador) |
Game Notes Santos de Guapiles vs NYCF
