Minnesota United today announced that it will host Costa Rica Primera División side Deportivo Saprissa in an international friendly at 7:00 p.m. CT at TCF Bank Stadium on Wednesday, July 11. Los Morados (“The Purple Ones”) arrive fresh off winning their record-breaking 34th league title on penalties against Club Sport Herediano.
“It’s exciting,” said MNUFC Sporting Director Manny Lagos. “It’s going to be a great matchup for everyone involved. We get to test ourselves against, historically, the biggest and most well-known club in Costa Rica. We are honored to be able to host Saprissa at our home stadium.”
MNUFC captain and Costa Rica international defender Francisco Calvo featured for Saprissa before signing with the Loons in December 2016. In 28 matches during the 2016 season, he tallied nine goals (six in league play) and one assist and was a consistent starter en route to a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Prior to that, Calvo scored twice in the first leg of the Torneo de Invierno 2015 final to lead Saprissa to its 32nd league crown.
Loons midfielder and fellow Tico international Johan Venegas joined Saprissa on loan in January 2018 and proceeded to play a major role in the club’s recent trophy, scoring five goals during the regular season and netting the first penalty of the final shootout versus Herediano.
“It’s very important for us to face a team like Minnesota United,” said Saprissa Head Coach Vladimir Quesada. “We want to get the team match fit in preseason and will make the most of this game.”
Three members of Costa Rica’s 23-man roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia hail from Saprissa, including midfielders Christian Bolaños and Venegas (on loan from MNUFC) and forward Daniel Colindres. Forward David Ramírez was also included on Óscar Ramírez’s waitlist.
Tickets for this international friendly will be available at 1:00 p.m. at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER. Season ticket holders already have a ticket for this friendly included in their ticket pack
