LD Alajuelense secured a dramatic three points on Saturday night, overcoming a stubborn AD San Carlos side with a 1–0 victory at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. In what appeared to be another frustrating home draw for the “Manudos,” a stoppage-time breakthrough sparked wild celebrations in Alajuela. The win keeps Alajuelense firmly in the hunt at the top of the Clausura table, proving their ability to find a way through even the most disciplined defensive setups.
Match recap
The contest began with Alajuelense controlling the tempo, as manager Óscar Ramírez tasked his midfield with pinning San Carlos into their own defensive third. Despite enjoying nearly 65% of the possession, clear-cut chances were hard to come by in a physical first half. The visitors remained remarkably compact, and Alajuelense’s best opportunities—including a low strike from Ronaldo Cisneros—were consistently rebuffed by goalkeeper Danny Carvajal.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the home crowd growing increasingly restless as the match entered its final stages. San Carlos nearly stole a goal on the counter-attack in the 82nd minute, but Leonel Moreira remained sharp to deny the upset. Just as the match seemed destined to end scoreless, Alajuelense finally found the winner in the 90+1′ minute. A late surge into the box resulted in a clinical finish that beat Carvajal at the near post, securing the 1–0 result and rewarding the hosts for their persistence.
Bran’s performance
The former Minnesota United midfielder, Alejandro Bran, was the engine room for Alajuelense throughout the full 90 minutes. Occupying his preferred central midfield role, Bran acted as the primary link between the defense and the attacking front, never leaving the pitch even as the team pushed numbers forward for the late winner.
- Midfield control: Bran displayed the same calm distribution that Loons fans saw during his time in Saint Paul. He led the match in touches and pass accuracy, consistently switching the point of attack to try and stretch the San Carlos defensive block.
- Defensive coverage: Beyond his playmaking, Bran was essential in snuffing out San Carlos’ transitions. His positioning prevented the visitors from building any sustained momentum through the middle of the pitch, allowing Alajuelense to keep the pressure high.
- Tactical maturity: While he pushed forward more aggressively in the closing fifteen minutes to support the attack, Bran remained disciplined enough to ensure the backline wasn’t exposed, showcasing his continued growth in the Costa Rican top flight.
Stats
- Minutes played: 90′
- Pass accuracy: 88%
- Key passes: 2
- Tackles won: 3
- Interceptions: 2
Up next
LD Alajuelense will look to carry the momentum from this dramatic victory on the road as they travel to face Guadalupe FC on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Meanwhile, AD San Carlos returns home to face Sporting San José on Thursday, Jan. 29.
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