LD Alajuelense roared to their 31st league title with a convincing 3–1 victory (5–3 on aggregate) over Deportivo Saprissa in the second leg of the 2025 Apertura final. After a back-and-forth 2–2 draw in the opening leg, the “Lions” took full advantage of their home field at “The Cathedral” to pull away from their rivals.
Match recap
The home side wasted little time establishing dominance, as Ronaldo Cisneros opened the scoring in the 26th minute to give Alajuelense an early lead. Saprissa managed to find a foothold just before the break, with Kenay Myrie equalizing in the 45th+6 minute to send the teams into the tunnel level at 1–1.
The second half belonged entirely to the hosts. Fernando Piñar restored the lead in the 73rd minute, putting Alajuelense back in the driver’s seat. Anthony Hernández then provided the final blow in the 83rd minute, clinical finishing that effectively ended the contest and secured the aggregate victory for Oscar “Macho” Ramírez’s side.
How Alejandro Bran and Kenyel Michel performed
Both Loons were instrumental in the championship victory, with both players starting and playing significant roles in the final tactical battle.
- Bran (The Anchor): Alejandro Bran played the full 90 minutes in a deep-lying midfield role, providing the defensive stability needed to absorb Saprissa’s desperate late attacks. His positional discipline allowed the wingers to push high, and he was vital in recycling possession during Alajuelense’s dominant second-half spells.
- Michel (The Engine): Kenyel Michel was a constant threat on the wing until being substituted late in the match. His pace and ability to drive at defenders created the chaos in the Saprissa box that eventually led to Piñar’s game-winning goal.
- Impact: Both players end the Apertura as champions, with Bran acting as the midfield general and Michel proving to be one of the league’s most effective loanees.
Stats
- Bran: 90 minutes played, 1 tackle won, 0 yellow cards.
- Michel: 81 minutes played, 3 successful dribbles, 1 shot.
With the trophy in hand, the focus for these Loons now shifts to a well-deserved break before Bran begins the Clausura campaign in early 2026, and Michel heads back to Minnesota for the upcoming MLS season.
Michel returning to Minnesota
According to reports from Costa Rican media just days before the final, Michel has already “packed his bags” to begin his new adventure in MLS starting in early 2026.
Michel is officially scheduled to return to Minnesota United on Jan. 1, 2026, following the conclusion of his loan on Dec. 31, 2025.
When Minnesota United signed the 21-year-old winger in August 2025, they immediately loaned him back to Alajuelense specifically for the “remainder of their season.”
Michel is already listed on the Loons’ guaranteed roster for the 2026 season. He is signed to a two-and-a-half-year contract through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
What this means for MNUFC
Michel leaves Alajuelense on the highest possible note, having contributed five goals during the 2025 Apertura campaign and securing a league title in his final appearance.
Because the transaction was completed before the MLS secondary transfer window closed last summer, he will be eligible to join Minnesota immediately for the 2026 preseason without further paperwork delays. Given the reported trade of Joseph Rosales and the need for dynamic attacking depth, Michel’s arrival comes at a perfect time for Eric Ramsay’s squad.
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