Results

El Salvador Clausura 05/11 01:00 3 [2] CD Luis Angel Firpo v Fuerte San Francisco [7] L 4-5
El Salvador Clausura 05/08 21:30 3 [7] Fuerte San Francisco v CD Luis Angel Firpo [2] D 0-0
El Salvador Clausura 05/03 21:30 22 [6] CD Cacahuatique v CD Luis Angel Firpo [2] D 1-1
El Salvador Clausura 04/27 01:00 21 [2] CD Luis Angel Firpo v CD Municipal Limeno [5] D 2-2
El Salvador Clausura 04/24 01:00 20 [11] Once Deportivo de Ahuachapán v CD Luis Angel Firpo [2] W 1-3
El Salvador Clausura 04/20 01:00 19 [2] CD Luis Angel Firpo v AD Isidro Metapan [4] D 0-0
El Salvador Clausura 04/13 21:00 18 [8] Fuerte San Francisco v CD Luis Angel Firpo [3] W 0-1
El Salvador Clausura 04/10 01:30 17 [4] CD Luis Angel Firpo v Alianza FC San Salvador [1] D 0-0
El Salvador Clausura 04/06 21:00 16 [3] CD Aguila v CD Luis Angel Firpo [2] L 3-1
El Salvador Clausura 03/27 01:30 14 [1] CD Luis Angel Firpo v CD FAS [6] L 1-2
El Salvador Clausura 03/23 21:00 13 [9] CD Dragon v CD Luis Angel Firpo [1] W 1-4
El Salvador Clausura 03/16 01:00 12 [1] CD Luis Angel Firpo v CD Platense Zacatecoluca [10] W 2-0

Stats

 TotalHomeAway
Matches played 48 24 24
Wins 23 11 12
Draws 13 10 3
Losses 12 3 9
Goals for 75 35 40
Goals against 59 22 37
Clean sheets 17 12 5
Failed to score 8 3 5

Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo (often abbreviated to Firpo) is an El Salvador professional association football club based in Usulután.

The club is the second-oldest in El Salvador and was founded as Tecún Umán on September 17, 1923, by a group of local citizens in Usulután. It was soon renamed in honor of Argentine boxer Luis Ángel Firpo, who became the first Latin American to fight for the heavyweight championship, knocking Jack Dempsey out of the ring on September 14, 1923.

Firpo has played at their home ground, Estadio Sergio Torres, since 1930. The team's mascot is the bull, a reference to Firpo, who was known as the Wild Bull of the Pampas. The club's traditional kit colours are white and red, blue is also used but it is less predominant. The colours were adopted from the Argentine side San Lorenzo de Almagro, of which Luis Ángel Firpo was a supporter.

Some of the most prominent players from El Salvador, including Mauricio Cienfuegos and Raúl Díaz Arce, have played for L.A. Firpo. The team has won a total of ten Primera Division Champions championships, the first coming in 1988–89 and the most recent in the 2013 Clausura. The club's most successful period was between 1988 and 2000, when they won the league title seven times. Firpo has the fourth highest total of major honours won by a Salvadoran club, and their historical rival is Aguila.

History

Early history and first golden era

On September 17, 1923, a group of Usulután citizens, mostly of European descent, decided to form a team that represented their community's passion for football. The club elected Gustavo Denys as their first club chairman. They decided to choose red and blue as their team's colours. Originally named Tecún Umán, the club was soon renamed in honor of Luis Ángel Firpo, a famous Argentine boxer.

On November 9, 1923, Club Deportivo Sandino, also based in Usulutan, wanted to merge with Firpo, and it almost came to fruition. However, the main sticking point was that Sandino wanted to appoint the majority of the 41 club directors (36 to Sandino and only five Firpo directors). Following the impasse, Firpo rejected the offer.

The members of CD Luis Ángel Firpo acquired land near Sergio Torres creek to develop and build a stadium.

At the end of 1930s, Former player Miguel el Zancudo Segurado was named football manager, He centred the team around potent players such as Luis Chispo Morataya, Queco Bolanos, Napoleon Flores Huezo, the Zamora brothers (Ricardo and Miguel), the Quinteros brothers (Leonidas and Lázaro), and the Aguila brothers (Ramón and Mario). the most influential player was midfielder Luis Antonio Regalado, who in 1942 become the first player from LA Firpo to represent El Salvador's national team.

On 22 March 1942, Firpo won their first state title for the Zona Oriental (Eastern State), defeating America de Chinameca 2–1. This allowed them to compete in a round robin competition for the national title against Quequeisque (Central State champion), Ferroccarril (Zona Occidente) and Juventud Olímpica. Firpo lost their first match against Quequeisque 6–1, this was followed by 2–1 win against Ferrocarrill, however Quequeisque won the title due to winning two games and drawing one. Firpo finished in third place.

On 25 April 1943, Firpo won their second Zona Oriental title by defeating Corona (San Miguel) 5–3. Once again Firpo competed in a round robin competition for the national title. In the first game Firpo played against reigning champion Quequeisque were the game was tied for the majority of the game 1-1 thanks to goal from Leonidas Quinteros, Sadly Firpo were not able to hold back the tide and lost the game 8–1. This was followed by 2–2 draw against Ferrocarill, another heavy loss against Quequeisque 7–1, and their only victory in the tournament 2–1 against Ferrocarrill. Firpo once again finished in third place.

Due to World War 2, no state competition or final competition were played, Firpo played a series of friendlies which included 3–2 loss against Quequeisque, 5–0 loss against Espana, Loss against Mecca (Santa Ana) 2–1, and 1–0 win against Juventud Olímpica.

In 1946, Firpo played their first ever international against Honduran Federal tying 3-3, with all three goals scored by Rafael Galvez.

In 1946, Firpo once again represented eastern zone, against Libertad and Once Municipal, Firpo lost both matches against Libertad 2–0, managed to draw 1–1 against Once Municipal and lost 3–1 in their final game.

In 1948, Firpo participated in the first national championship. Firpo played 22 out of 24 games, winning 16 games, drawing 7 games, and losing 6 games with a fifth-place finish. . Firpo didn't play the final two games as Once Municipal were crowned national champion with two games to spare.

Difficult years, moderate success and downfall

The following years were plagued with financial instability, players from the first golden era started retiring or leaving. This culminated with the disastrous 1951-52 Campaign, which included 5–0 loss against Leones, 5–4 loss against Independiente, a stripped 2–1 victory Santa Anita due to players being ineligible, their first victory coming after more than half the season played against Juventud Olímpica; this would be their only victory as they only gained five points and finished last in the league.

After signing Honduran Armando Enamorado and Costa Rican Jacobo Godoy ahead of the 1955–56 season, the club finished runner up by one point to Atletico Marte. In the 1957–58 season Firpo was relegated to the second division after only grabbing 13 points from 20 games.

Firpo hired Former player Narciso Romagoza to coach the team in the second division, Firpo first won the privilege to represent Zona oriental in the final round robin tournament against El Renacimiento de Santa Ana and Platense. Firpo finished the tournament as champion after winning two games, 1 draw and one loss. This allowed Firpo to be promoted after one season, but the same issues arose with economic problems and players departing, which culminated in Firpo being relegated to second division just two years later.

"Yo-yo club": consecutive promotion and relegations

After being relegated in 1962, The club was stuck in the second division for four years, but in 1967 - thanks to the players such as Raul Corcio Zavaleta, and foreign players Andres Paretti & Julio Escobar, Firpo were able to finish in the top spot over historic clubs Dragon, Santa Anita and Rey Y Negro. However the success was short lived as they were relegated just two years later in 1969.

In 1972, Firpo decided to hire more experienced players including world cup player Sergio Méndez, Alfredo Erado, Fausto Vasquez and Miguel Miche Cornejo, they once again were able to reach promotion. Although Firpo were technically relegated in 1982, however Firpo purchased Agave's first division spot for 25,000 colones. During this period Firpo were struggling financially off the field and on the field, being midtable or bottom.

Minor success and rebuild

Following this, Firpo president Gustavo Torres Cerna and nephew Sergio Torres Rivera made a collective, ambitious effort to rebuild the team; he brought quality foreign players such as Argentinian Guillermo Fisher, Brazilians Sebastian Pio da Silva, Carlos Lopez Neves and Nelson de Moraes. The latter, along with Francisco Jovel made Firpo a solid team that was able to consistently qualify for the playoffs during the next five seasons; however, the club's decline in rhythm combined with poor goalscoring in the playoffs prevented them from any real success.

In 1988 nephew Sergio Torres Rivera took over the previous president position, which would begin Firpo's true glory years. Sergio Torres would establish a strong financial sponsorship which included renewal El Salvador conglomerate La Tapachulteca and William Handal. The club would scout promising young players throughout the league such as future captain and national player Leonel Carcamo, Miguel Estrada, Juan Agustin Gamez, and Jose Maria Batres. This was combined with established experienced players such as Giovanni Trigueros, Nelson Rivera, Miguel Arevalo, Mauricio Cienfuegos, and Marlon Menjívar.

Finally they would send scouts down to South America, convincing Peruvian national team players Martín Duffó and Miguel Seminario to sign for the club, later stopping in Brazil to pick up Brazilian pairings Toninho dos Santos and Fernando Da Moura.

Golden generation

In the 1988–89 season, the team hoisted the league title for the first time. The team finished third in the regular season, but the club nonetheless dismissed Argentinian coach Juan Quarterone before the playoffs. In his place, they hired former player Chilean Julio Escobar. Escobar justified the club's faith by leading the team through the championship round and into the finals. Their match against Cojutepeque was drawn 2–2 after extra time, setting up a penalty shootout. Firpo prevailed 4–3, with Leonel Carcamo scoring the winning penalty.

The very next season (1989-90), the club reached their second consecutive final thanks to the effort of Brazilian Toninho dos Santos who was Firpo and the league topscorer with 25 goals, however the club lost 3-1 Alianza.

The following season (1990-91), The team were able to bolster their attack with the addition of Brazilian youngster Nildeson, who would later be loaned out to Atletico Marte and the hiring of Uruguayan coach Juan Carlos Masnik. The club went on a 31 match unbeaten streak beginning with 1-1 draw with FAS on the August, 1990 and concluding on April, 1991 after a 1-0 loss to Tiburones. Salvadoran Keeper Carlos Rivera and Brazilian defender Fernando de Moura had the distinction of participating in every game in 31 game unbeaten streak. The club also made their biggest transfer in the club history when they sold Brazilian Toninho dos Santos, who was the club top-scorer at the time with 11 goals, to Mexican powerhouse team Club America for 100,000 dollars. Despite the loss of such a powerhouse player, the club went on to reach the final, thanks the club leading scorer Edgar Henriquez with 12 goals. Firpo went on defeat Aguila 1–0 in the final with Marlon Menjívar scored the sole goal.

After a successful campaign, Juan Carlos Masnik resigned as coach to return to Uruguay, The club will hire Yugoslavian (later Macedonian) Kiril Dojčinovski who had experience as player in red Star Belgrade and participated for Yugoslavia 1974 world cup. The club will regain Brazilian Nildeson from loan, will purchase Chilean Raúl Toro and the league top scorer Raúl Díaz Arce from Alianza and Dragon respectively, and lastly they promoted Fernando Lazo and Pedro Vasquez from the club youth Squad. The club will lose experience players such as Uruguayans Luis Guelmo and Washington Olivera, and Mauricio Cienfuegos who moved to Mexican club Atlético Morelia. Under the reins of Kiril Dojčinovski the club will win back-to-back championships (1991-92 and 1992-93).

In the 1991-92 season, The club would finish first in the regular season and Quadrangular round, the club continued dominance was thanks to having multiple goal scorers, with Brazilian Fernando de Moura topping the list with 14 goals, followed by compatriot Nildeson with 12 goals, Raúl Díaz Arce with 8 goals, rounding out with Edgar Henriquez and Marlon Menjivar with 7 goals. The club will show their complete dominance in final, defeating Alianza 3-0 thanks to a double from Nildeson and Fernando de Moura.

In the following season 1992-93 season, The club was shocked by the departure of Kiril Dojčinovski during the pre-season, and was replaced by Chilean Hernan Carrasco. With the same squad, the club fell off the pace and were behind Alianza and FAS during the final half of rounds, The club decided to part way with Hernan Carrasco and rehire Kiril Dojčinovski, who would steady the ship allowing the club to finish second in the regular standing and win the Quadrangular round, which allowed the club to qualify to the final against Alianza. Once again the club would defeat Alianza thanks to goals from Brazilian Celio Rodriguez and Raul Diaz Arce. The club would win their first tri-Championship in their history and first time since Atletico Marte who did it previously between the 1955 to 1957 seasons.

In the midst of Domestic success, the cub would also prove themselves at the international first defeating Italian powerhourse Juventus and Armenia powerhouse Shirak SC in a friendly matches, they finished runners up and third place in the 1995 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup, The club would finish quarter finalist in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

Soon after, Leonel Carcamo donned the captain's armband and the club continued to play at a high level. They reached either the semi-finals or finals every year from 1994 to 1997, then won the championship again in 1998. That win came over FAS 2–0, with the goals being scored by Raúl Toro and Abraham Monterrosa.

Firpo won another championship in Primera División de Fútbol Profesional – Clausura 1999, beating FAS 5–4 on penalty kicks after the game ended 1-1 after extra time. In 2000, Club president and owner Sergio Torres died the week before the final match against ADET, and the players dedicated the match to his memory. They went on to win, bringing home their seventh title.

Modern era

After 2000, Firpo's success began to decline. With players retiring, moving abroad, or being sold onto other clubs, the death of Sergio Torres cost the team their primary sponsor and led the club into financial instability. As a result, Firpo reached the grand final repeatedly, but could not win another title for seven years.

In the 2007 Apertura, Argentinian coach Horacio Cordero guided the team to another final, and they defeated FAS 5–3 in a penalty shootout.

The next season saw the club hoist the crown again, winning the Clausura 2008. They beat FAS again, 1–0, and celebrated their third repeat championship.

The team won their tenth title in the 2013 Clausura under the direction of Argentinian coach Roberto Gamarra with another win over their rivals FAS.

On May 5, 2014, after 32 years of top-flight football, Firpo were relegated to the second division after a 1–1 draw with Dragón. However, the relegation didn't stay, as Firpo purchased Juventud Independiente's license. On May 27, 2019, the club achieved a record sixth relegation from the Primera Division, after the team lost 3–1 against Alianza.

At the end of the 2020 season, Pablo Herrera (owner of the franchise license of Independiente) announced that Independiente will lose their license and he will be giving the license to Luis Angel Firpo for the Clausura 2020.

In September 2023 the club celebrated a centenary of existence with a friendly against Guatemalan giant Municipal, which they lost 1–0.

Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo, commonly known as CD Luis Ángel Firpo, is a prominent professional soccer team based in La Unión, El Salvador. Founded in 1935, the club has a rich history and is one of the most recognized teams in Salvadoran football. Named after the legendary Salvadoran player Luis Ángel Firpo, the team embodies the spirit and passion of the sport in the region.

CD Luis Ángel Firpo plays its home matches at the Estadio Sergio Torres, which has a capacity of around 10,000 spectators. The team's colors are traditionally red and white, symbolizing their fierce competitive nature and commitment to excellence on the field.

Over the years, Firpo has enjoyed considerable success in the Salvadoran Primera División, securing multiple league titles and establishing itself as a formidable force in national competitions. The club is known for its strong youth development program, which has produced numerous talented players who have gone on to represent both the club and the national team.

The passionate fan base of CD Luis Ángel Firpo, known as "Los Toros," creates an electrifying atmosphere during home games, showcasing their unwavering support and loyalty. The team's rivalry with other local clubs adds to the excitement of Salvadoran football, making their matches highly anticipated events.

With a commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement, CD Luis Ángel Firpo continues to be a vital part of El Salvador's football landscape, inspiring future generations of players and fans alike.