Costa Rican Championship
The Costa Rican Championship, officially Primera División de Costa Rica or Liga FPD, is the top tier of Costa Rican football. Established in 1921, it features 12 professional clubs vying for the national title and CONCACAF spots. Renowned for its fast-paced, attacking style, the league nurtures local talents who often shine internationally.
History and foundation
Dating back over a century, the first edition in 1921 saw Herediano triumph. Professionalized in the 1940s, it peaked with Saprissa's 10 straight titles in the 1990s. Costa Rica's World Cup runs to the Round of 16 in 1990 and 2014 owe much to league stars. The 2020 pandemic halted play, but innovative protocols revived it swiftly.
Tournament format
Since 2021, it splits into Apertura (July-Dec) and Clausura (Jan-May), each with 22 round-robin matches. Top 8 enter playoffs: quarterfinals, semis, final. Winners contest a Super Final for the overall crown, yielding up to four champions yearly and fueling intense rivalries.
Interesting facts
Matches average 2.7-3.0 goals, showcasing offensive flair. Top scorers in 2022/23: Manricio Saenz (Saprissa, 15 goals), Anthony Garcia (Herediano). Legends include Jose Mercadio Mercado (289 career goals), Roland Marora, and stars like Junior Hernandez, Bryan Ruiz. It produced 2014 World Cup heroes like Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda. Classics like Saprissa-Alajuelense draw 20k fans.