MANAGUA, Nicaragua – The 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round kicks off this Tuesday with an intriguing first leg match-up between Real Esteli of Nicaragua and Santa Tecla of El Salvador at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium in Managua.
Both sides are well acquainted with the nuances of Concacaf competition having each competed previous in the SCL and the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
The hosts are still seeking their first win in Concacaf competition, while the Cuscatleco visitors do have a SCL under their belts, but have yet to win a two-legged tie in Concacaf competition.
Bolstering Real Esteli’s hopes is the addition of Juan Barrera, Nicaragua’s all-time leading scorer at the international level.
Santa Tecla has its fair share of new weapons as well, with FWs Adalberto Hernandez and Gaston Colman among the ranks of summer arrivals hoping to make a big impact.
This will be the first ever meeting in Concacaf play between the two sides.