Alejandro Bran and Alajuelense host Saprissa for the Clásico Nacional Final

The match

Liga Deportiva Alajuelense vs. Deportivo Saprissa

  • Competition: Costa Rican Primera División (Apertura Final – first leg)
  • Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025
  • Kickoff: 8 p.m. CST
  • Venue: Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto (Alajuela, Costa Rica)

How to watch in Minnesota

The most reliable way to watch the Costa Rican Primera División in the United States is through Fanatiz.

  • Subscription: You will need the “Front Row” package or a specific Central American pass to access the stream.
  • Alternative: Matches are occasionally broadcast on CentroAméricaTV, which is available on some cable packages (like DirecTV or DISH) and streaming services like FuboTV.

The significance

This is the Clásico Nacional—the biggest sporting event in Costa Rica—played with a trophy on the line. It pits Alejandro Bran’s Alajuelense (“La Liga”) against their eternal rivals, Deportivo Saprissa (“El Monstruo”).

The atmosphere at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto (known as “The Cathedral of Costa Rican Soccer”) will be absolutely electric. These two clubs have dominated Costa Rican football for decades, and meeting in a final adds an extra layer of intensity. For Alajuelense, defeating Saprissa is not just about winning the title; it’s about denying their arch-nemesis glory.

The Loon in focus: Alejandro Bran

  • MNUFC tenure: 2024
  • Role: Central Midfielder

Loons fans will remember Alejandro Bran for his promising but brief stint in Saint Paul, which started with a bang when he scored a stoppage-time winner in his debut against Austin FC. Despite that heroics, he struggled to displace the established midfield pairing of Wil Trapp and Hassani Dotson.

After a loan spell in England with Burton Albion, Bran returned closer to home, signing permanently with Alajuelense in September 2025. He has quickly become a key figure in their midfield engine room, using his height and passing range to control the tempo. Tonight, his job will be to shield the backline and launch counter-attacks against a Saprissa side that loves to press high.

Prediction

Alajuelense has been nearly unbeatable at home this season, and the crowd support will be a massive factor. Expect a fiery match with plenty of stoppages and arguments with the referee. Bran will put in a solid shift, breaking up play and keeping things simple.

  • Alajuelense wins 2-0 to capture the first leg of the final.