MIAMI, Florida – As the career of a footballer progresses, opportunities to play in tournaments like the Concacaf Champions Cup become more sacred. Such is the state of things for veteran Comunicaciones midfielder Jose Manuel Contreras.
The 38-year-old will be making his fifth appearance in the Champions Cup, all as a member of Comunicaciones. Since debuting in the tournament back in 2013-14, Contreras has played in nine Champions Cup matches, scoring two goals.
At his age, being able to get another crack at the region’s best is a special feeling.
“I’m aware that I’m at an important age in football. I know that each time the opportunities to play these tournaments are fewer, so I will try to enjoy them, while always competing hard against the opponent and leaving everything on the field for this club,” said Contreras in an interview with Concacaf.com.
After a one-year absence, Comunicaciones are back in the Champions Cup for the first time since their magical run to the 2022 quarterfinals. Needless to say, returning to the biggest stage in Concacaf club competition means a lot to Guatemalan side.
“It is a source of pride for our club, for our country and there is a great demand on this club to qualify for it year after year. That’s what we work for and thankfully in the last several years that has been achieved. Now we are going to do our best in this phase and keep climbing little by little,” said Contreras.
Contreras and his Comunicaciones teammates started training for the domestic Guatemalan season and their Champions Cup Round One match-up against Mexican giants Monterrey three weeks ago, with the idea of being primed and ready to take advantage of playing at home in the first leg on February 6.
Monterrey 🇲🇽 y Comunicaciones 🇬🇹, campeones que se reencuentran! https://t.co/HjOTKHbBbp 🗒️
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) January 9, 2024
“We need to grab the advantage at home, knowing that we have to go to Mexico and be a smart team and be well-organized to do damage to them. It’s not a secret that Monterrey is a very strong team in the region and in their league. We know that we have to be very focused in every moment of the game because they have players that give them advantages,” said Contreras.
Comunicaciones have certainly shown in recent years that they can go toe-to-toe with some of the strongest teams in the Concacaf region. In the 2020 Round of 16, Comunicaciones took seven-time Concacaf champions Club America to a penalty shootout before losing, while two years later in 2022 they eliminated the Colorado Rapids of MLS in the Round of 16 before a narrow defeat in the quarterfinals to New York City FC.
“Our idea is always to compete. I think in recent years we have competed very well against top-level opponents, for example Club America. We did very well, but sadly we lost in penalties and were out. Now we have the opportunity to play against Monterrey, knowing that they have a great squad,” said Contreras.
That 2022 Round of 16 series win against Colorado was a memorable one, as Comunicaciones overcame not just an early first half red card in the second leg in Colorado, but also a snowstorm to eliminate the Rapids. That night just outside of Denver remains Contreras’ favorite Champions Cup memory.
“It was a first-time experience for us playing at the level of cold and in the snow. I remember what my jersey looked like afterward and then obviously what happened in the game, with us going down to 10 men early in the game but then winning in penalty kicks. That is one that is remembered by me, this club and our fans,” said Contreras.
Comunicaciones qualified for the 2024 Champions Cup thanks to winning one of the Central American Cup Play-In matches, as they defeated Costa Rica’s Cartagines in a penalty shootout to punch their Champions Cup ticket.
In addition to some of their excellent play in recent Champions Cup tournaments, Comunicaciones have also been competitive in tournaments such as the Central American Cup and the Concacaf League, including winning the 2021 Concacaf League crown. That success, combined with the rise in the last year of the Guatemalan National Team, who won their group in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, suggests that Guatemalan football is entering a special era.
“I think both here in this club and in the national team we have done things well of late. We had a good Gold Cup. There is a good group in the national team that is well managed, and now this year the most important thing for our country are the World Cup qualifiers, which no generation has been able to achieve.
“I’m on the team here with a fair number of players who are on the national team and we will try to bring them that support here on this team to move forward and achieve everyone’s dream,” concluded Contreras.
