MIAMI, Florida – One of the biggest rivalries in the Scotiabank Concacaf League will be renewed this Thursday when Real Espana of Honduras face Costa Rica’s Cartagines in the first leg of the 2022 SCL Round of 16 at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
There is a long history of Honduran and Costa Rican clubs competing against each other in the SCL. In 12 previous games between Honduran and Costa Rican clubs, including the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Finals, each country has five wins, while there have been two draws.
Thursday’s game will be the first SCL contest between Real Espana and Cartagines, however they did play in a two-legged series in the 1989 Concacaf Champions Cup in which Real Espana emerged victorious 3-0 on aggregate.
Real Espana reached this stage of the tournament by virtue of their 3-1 aggregate win over Real Esteli of Nicaragua in the Preliminary Round.
Leading the way was Ramiro Rocca, who bagged a brace in the pivotal 3-1 second leg win at home. Rocca will be called on again to help provide the attacking impetus against Cartagines.
Thursday’s contest will mark the SCL debut for Cartagines, who qualified for the tournament for the first time after winning the 2022 Clausura.
The 1994 Concacaf champions have stockpiled a squad that includes some former SCL champions.
Among the standouts are MF Michael Barrantes and FW Byron Bonilla, who were part of the 2019 Saprissa side that lifted the trophy. Also in the mix is MF Marcel Hernandez, who played on the Alajuelense squad that won the 2020 title.
No doubt fans of both leagues will be keen to see who gets the upper hand in this series.
Referee: Oliver Vergara (PAN)
AR1: Alejandro Camarena (PAN) AR2: Andrés Vargas (PAN)
4th Official: Sergio Reyna (GUA)
Stats, Game Notes RCD Espana vs Cartagines