Deportivo Upala Secures Survival in Liga de Ascenso Amid Challenges
The team, led by owner and coach Geovanny Torres, clinches its place in the second division with a decisive victory.
In its inaugural season in the Liga de Ascenso, Deportivo Upala faced a rollercoaster of outcomes, including substantial defeats such as a 10-1 loss to Sarchí and significant victories, most notably a 7-0 win against Municipal Grecia.
Despite these challenges, the team successfully avoided relegation, concluding the season with a 7-3 triumph over San Carlos FC, the club that will face relegation this season.
Deportivo Upala's owner, president, and coach, Geovanny Torres, played a crucial role in the team's achievements, mirroring the style of other prominent figures in Costa Rican football.
The team was required to host its games at the Edgardo Baltodano Stadium in Liberia due to ongoing renovations at their home stadium in Upala.
This necessity added to the logistical challenges faced by the club.
The decisive match against San Carlos featured a standout performance from Andrés Jiménez, who scored twice, bringing his total to 20 goals in the 2025 Clausura Tournament and earning him the title of top scorer.
Other contributors to the team's victory included Justin Saénz, Wandrew Silva, Richard González, and Gerald Jiménez, while San Carlos's Ricardo Espinoza scored a hat-trick.
Torres highlighted the difficulties the team encountered throughout the season, particularly the challenges of playing away from Upala and the financial strain caused by travel costs, which amounted to approximately ₡25 million for transportation, food, and related expenses during the season.
Torres expressed optimism about completing the stadium renovations, which had stalled due to permit complications, with the hope of being able to play at home in the next tournament.
As the regular phase of the competition nears its conclusion, the quarter-final classifications are largely determined.
In Group A, Inter de San Carlos (37 points), Sarchí FC (30 points), and Jicaral Sercoba (27 points) have secured their places, while Quepos Cambute sits on 24 points and Municipal Grecia at 21 points.
In Group B, Cariari Pococí (31 points), Escorpiones de Belén (29 points), and Fútbol Consultants (28 points) have achieved their goals, with Guadalupe, the 2024 Apertura Tournament champion, currently in fourth place with 26 points.
Aserrí holds 20 points but has a pending match against Consultants scheduled for Thursday, April 10. In a key final round, Guadalupe will play against Aserrí on Sunday, April 13.
Despite these challenges, the team successfully avoided relegation, concluding the season with a 7-3 triumph over San Carlos FC, the club that will face relegation this season.
Deportivo Upala's owner, president, and coach, Geovanny Torres, played a crucial role in the team's achievements, mirroring the style of other prominent figures in Costa Rican football.
The team was required to host its games at the Edgardo Baltodano Stadium in Liberia due to ongoing renovations at their home stadium in Upala.
This necessity added to the logistical challenges faced by the club.
The decisive match against San Carlos featured a standout performance from Andrés Jiménez, who scored twice, bringing his total to 20 goals in the 2025 Clausura Tournament and earning him the title of top scorer.
Other contributors to the team's victory included Justin Saénz, Wandrew Silva, Richard González, and Gerald Jiménez, while San Carlos's Ricardo Espinoza scored a hat-trick.
Torres highlighted the difficulties the team encountered throughout the season, particularly the challenges of playing away from Upala and the financial strain caused by travel costs, which amounted to approximately ₡25 million for transportation, food, and related expenses during the season.
Torres expressed optimism about completing the stadium renovations, which had stalled due to permit complications, with the hope of being able to play at home in the next tournament.
As the regular phase of the competition nears its conclusion, the quarter-final classifications are largely determined.
In Group A, Inter de San Carlos (37 points), Sarchí FC (30 points), and Jicaral Sercoba (27 points) have secured their places, while Quepos Cambute sits on 24 points and Municipal Grecia at 21 points.
In Group B, Cariari Pococí (31 points), Escorpiones de Belén (29 points), and Fútbol Consultants (28 points) have achieved their goals, with Guadalupe, the 2024 Apertura Tournament champion, currently in fourth place with 26 points.
Aserrí holds 20 points but has a pending match against Consultants scheduled for Thursday, April 10. In a key final round, Guadalupe will play against Aserrí on Sunday, April 13.
