SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Three different players scored to help lift Saprissa (1W-0D-1L, 3 points) to a 4-0 win over visiting DirecTV W Connection (0W-0D-2L, 0 points) in the 2015/16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa on Thursday night.
The final goal was an own goal by W Connection defender Maurice Ford in second-half stoppage time.
Vega was a threat throughout the first half and was rewarded for his efforts in the 35th minute. After touching a low cross in stride into the right side of the box, the Costa Rica international maneuvered to the outside of W Connection’s Kurt Frederick, before putting a shot inside the left post past a frozen Julani Archibald.
Five minutes ahead of halftime, the Monstruo Morado doubled its lead. An initial Nestor Monge shot was blocked by a defender at the edge of the six-yard box, but Guzman pounced on the rebound and bounced it past a helpless Archibald from 10-yards out.
In the 70th minute, Archibald extended fully to get a piece of Mynor Escoe’s shot toward the left post, but was only able to get one hand on the ball. The rebound spilled out and moments after stepping onto the field as a substitute, Ramirez made it 3-0, sliding it home from close range.
Twenty minutes later, Canadian referee Drew Fischer pointed to the spot after Alvin Jones was ruled to have tripped up Dylan Flores on a challenge. Ariel Rodriguez, who scored five goals in last year’s SCCL, took the kick only for Archibald parry it with a dive to his left.
Flores was influential shortly afterwards, when he played a dangerous ball in front that Ford inadvertently kicked into his own net in an attempt to clear.
Saprissa, now 7W-1D-1L in its last nine home matches in the SCCL, hosts Santos Laguna on August 25.
Teams
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald; 21.Shannon Gomez, 4.Maurice Ford, 2.Kurt Frederick, 5.Triston Hodge; 16.Alvin Jones (capt), 3.Gerard Williams, 23.Kevon Goddard (20.Jamal Charles 46th), 17.Aikim Andrews (11.Neil Benjamin Jr 83rd), 9.Shahdon Winchester, 10.Jomal Williams (Yellow 48) (34.Jabari Mitchell 74th).
Unused substitutes: 22.Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 13.Kion Joseph, 35.Keston Julien, 46.Anfernee Frederick.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier.
Saprissa: 1.Danny Carvajal; 5.Francisco Calvo, 4.Andres Imperial (Yellow 75), 13.Adolfo Machado (27.Dylan Flores 74th), 11.Marvin Borbon, 19.Irving Reid, 8.David Guzman, 20.Nestor Monge (Yellow 45) (30.Ulises Segura (46th), 15.Deyver Vega (24.David Ramirez Ruiz 63rd), 7.Mynor Escoe, 14.Ariel Araya.
Coach: Jaelistin Campos Madriz.
Referee: Drew Fischer (USA).
Video:Saprissa vs WConnection Highlights
Standings
P W D L F A Pts
Santos Laguna 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
Saprissa 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
W Connection 2 0 0 2 0 8 0