CD Luis Angel Firpo

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. [1]

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 the dynamic and 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 football team.

On 22 March 1942, Firpo won their first title by winning the Zona Oriental (Eastern State) title 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 QQQ won the title due to winning two games and drawing one. Firpo finished in third place.

On 25 April 1943, Firpo won their second title state tile by defeating Corona (San Miguel) 5-3. Once again Firpo competed 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 QQQ 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, Firpo managed to draw 1-1 against Once Municipal and lost 3-1 in their final game. For the third straight time, Firpo finished in third place.

In 1948, Firpo participated in the first national championship, Firpo played 22 out of 24 games, winning 16 games, drawing 7 games and 6 loss and finished in fifth place. 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.

The 1955-56 season will be Firpo most successful season, after signing Honduran Armando Enamorado and Costa Rican Jacobo Godoy, Firpo suprised many teams by leading the league for the majority of the season, sadly Firpo first lost 2-1 against title rival title Atletico Marte 2-0, Firpo followed this with 2-2 all draw with Once Municipal, despite winning the last two game, Firpo finished runner up by 1 point.

The following season, Firpo downfall began after finishing second last with only scoring 22 goals in 18 matches, the 1957–58 season Firpo was relegated to the second division after losing their penultimate game 2-1 against Dragon.

Firpo hired Former player Narciso Romagoza to coach the team in the second division, Firpo first won the privelege 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. Which allowed Firpo to be promoted after one season,

However, the same issues arose with Economic problems and players departing, which culminated to Firpo being relegated to second division twp years later.

Club constant promotion and relegation

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 Francisco Contreras, Daniel Martinez, Napoleon Regaldo, Ramon Tenorio, Raul Corcio Zavaleta, Miguel Deras, foreign players Andres Paretti & Julio Escobar , who will play a major part in Luis Angel Firpo success in the future. Firpo were able to finish in the top spot over historic club Dragon, Santa Anita and Rey Y Negro. However the success was short lived as they were relegated twice in 1969 & 1971.

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 defeat Dragon, Huracan, Molino, Atlante and Molsa. This will be the last time Firpo will be relegated until 2015, Although Firpo were technically relegated in 1982, however Firpo purchased first division spot of San Miguel club Agave F.C.. During this period Firpo were struggling financially off the field and on the field, being midtable or bottom.

Minor Success and rebuild

Following tgus, Firpo president Gustavo Torres Cerna made a concerted effort to develop and gain new sponsorship such Tachulaptecpec, he also brought qualitty 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 the best defensive team in El Salvador only allowing 16 goals in 27 games, however despite this effort, the club poor goalscoring record meant the club was only able to finish in third place. Firpo set unprecedent record of going 12 games consecutive with 0-0 draw.

Following this Sergio Torres Rivera (nephew of Gustavo Torres Cerna) took over the previous president position, which would begin Firpo glory years. Sergio Torres would establish a strong financial sponsorship which included renewal El Salvador conglomerate La Tapachulteca and William Handal. Following this club would scout promising young players in the first and second division such as future captain and national player Leonel Carcamo, Miguel Estrada, Juan Agustin Gamez, Jose Maria Batres, Osmel Zapata, Nelson Quintanilla. This was combined with established experienced players such as Giovanni Trigueros, Nelson Rivera, Miguel Arevalo, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Marlon Menjívar and Carlos Rivera.

Finally they would send scouts down to South America, they first convinced Peruvian national team players Martín Duffó and Miguel Seminario- promising bonuses for winning championship or goalscoring championship. The last stop was 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 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.

In the 1990 final,^[] the team lost to Alianza but won their second crown in 1991. That season saw Firpo go on a 30 match unbeaten streak and defeat Aguila 1–0 in the finals. Marlon Menjívar scored the only goal.

The following year, Macedonian Kiril Dojčinovski took over the coaching reins of Firpo and led them to back to back titles. The stars of this run were Raúl Toro, Raúl Díaz Arce, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Celio Rodríguez, Leonel Cárcamo and Fernando de Moura. They defeated Alianza in both finals, giving the club four championships in five years.

Soon after, Leonal 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 1999, beating FAS 5–4 on penalty kicks. 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 from 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.

On September, 2023 the club celebrated a centenary of existence, the club played a friendly against Guatemalan giant Municipal, which the clun lost 1-0. [2]