2018–19 Primera División de El Salvador


The 2018–19 Primera División de El Salvador is the 20th season and 39th and 40th Primera División tournament, El Salvador's top football division, since its establishment of an Apertura and Clausura format. Alianza F.C. are the defending champions of both Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The league will consist of 12 teams. There will be two seasons conducted under identical rules, with each team playing a home and away game against the other clubs for a total of 22 games per tournament. At the end of each half-season tournament, the top eight teams in that tournament's regular season standings will take part in the playoffs.
The champions of Apertura or Clausura with the better aggregate record will qualify for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League. The other champion, and the runner-up with the better aggregate record will qualify for the 2019 CONCACAF League. Should the same team win both tournaments, both runners-up will qualify for CONCACAF League. Should the final of both tournaments features the same 2 teams, the semifinalist with the better aggregate record will qualify for CONCACAF League.

Team information

A total of 12 teams will contest the league, including 11 sides from the 2017–18 Primera División and 1 promoted from the 2017–18 Segunda División.
Dragon were relegated to 2018–19 Segunda División the previous season.
The relegated team was replaced by the 2017–18 Segunda División playoffs promotion winner. Jocoro F.C. won the Apertura 2017 and Clausura 2018 title, meaning there was no need for a promotion playoff and were promoted automatically.

Promotion and relegation

Promoted from Segunda División de Fútbol Salvadoreño as of June, 2018.
Relegated to Segunda División de Fútbol Salvadoreño as of June, 2018.
TeamChairmanHead CoachCaptainKitmakerShirt Sponsors
Águila Jose Alexander Menjivar Carlos Romero Benji VillalobosMacaMister Donut, Canal 4, Pollo Campesto, Pilsener
Alianza Adolfo Salume Jorge Rodríguez TBDUmbroCanal 4, Mister Donut, Tigo, Gatorade, Veca airlines, Brahva
Audaz Roberto Campos Pablo Quiñonez Carlos MonteagudoRush AtleticsClaro,
Chalatenango Rigoberto Mejia Alvaro Misael Alfaro TBDNilLemus, Premiun Center, Arjona Import & Export Co
Jocoro F.C. Leonel Hernández Cristóbal Cubilla Giuviny EsquivelMilanHaciendo Regalo de Dios, Caja de Credito Jocoro
FAS Guillermo Moran Erick Dowson Prado Néstor Raúl RenderosJomaPilsener, Tigo, Canal 4, Hospital Cader, Sol
Firpo Modesto Torres Asdrúbal Flores Edwin MartinezGalaxiaPilsener, KTOR Sports, Lacteos Velatoro
Isidro Metapán Rafael Morataya Agustin Castillo Milton MolinaMilanCanal 4, Arroz de San Pedro, Agroamigo, Morataya
Limeño Martín Herrera William Renderos Iraheta Francisco Jovel ÁlvarezNilUNAB, Chilos Seafood Restaurant, TuriTravel, Disturbidora Torres, Innova sport
Pasaquina Óscar Ramírez Eraldo Correia Isaac ZelayaNilCanal 4, Innova sport
Sonsonate Pedro Contreras Nelson Ancheta Christian SánchezMilanProACES, Aldasa, Alcadia Municipal Sonsonate, Canal 4, Leche salud, Ferreteria Santa Sofia, Coop-1
Santa Tecla José Vidal Hernández Christian Díaz Gerson MayenKelmePowerade, DLC, Canal 21, Pilsener, Claro, Plaza Merliot, Pollo Indio, Petrox, Dizucar, Bolívar, Toledo, The Moustache

Notable events

Change of Ownership of Aguila

The Grupo Aguila Deportivo, SA de CV announced in June, 2018 that they were selling their operating rights for Aguila, on the 6th of July a new group under Adolfo Salume had purchased Aguila from the Arieta group for undisclosed fees.

Pasaquina and Audaz moving stadium

Pasaquina announced that due to their home stadium not meeting new CONCACAF standards and minimal crowd numbers, they would play their home games at La Union stadium. Audaz also announced that they would play some games away from Estadio Jiboa.

New ball sponsorship for the league

The league signed a new deal with Mexican company Voit to provide the balls used in the national league.

Change of Ownership of Audaz

The Audaz Apasteque group announced in January, 2018 that they were selling their operating rights for Audaz, on the 6th of July a new group under Roberto Campos had purchased Audaz from the Juan Pablo Herrera group for undisclosed fees.

Deduction of Points

Audaz attempted to play in unapproved jersey, despite on the spot modification being done, referee abandoned the game and FESFUT decided to award the match to a 2-0 forfeit win to Isidro Metapan.
On February 27, 2019 C.D. Municipal Limeno, Jocoro F.C. and C.D. Pasaquina were deducted six points due to failing to sign the right paperwork for their respective under 17 teams to compete in the tournament.

Notable death from Apertura 2018 season and 2019 Clausura season

The following people associated with the Primera Division have died in end of 2018 and mid 2019.

Before the start of the season

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyReplaced byDate of appointmentPosition in table
Firpo Giovanni TriguerosContract finishedMay 2018 Jorge CallesMay 20187th & Quarterfinalist
Santa Tecla Ruben da SilvaMutual consentMay 2018 Christian DíazJune 20182nd & Runnersup
Sonsonate Juan Ramón Sánchezcontract not renewedJune 2018 Juan Ramon ParedesJune 20188th
Jocoro Emiliano BarreraResignedJune 2018 Nelson AnchetaJune 2018Newly Promoted
Pasaquina Francisco RoblesContract not renewedJune 2018 Eraldo CorreiaJune 20188th
Chalatenango Geovanni PortilloInterim finishedApril 2018 Ángel PiazziJune 201810th
FAS Cristian ÁlvarezMoved to become Under 17 coachJune 2018 Álvaro de Jesús GómezJune 20184th & Quarterfinalist
Aguila Miguel ObandoContract finishedJune 2018 Carlos RomeroJuly 20183rd & Semifinalist
Audaz Carlos RomeroResignedJune 2018 German PerezJuly 20186th & Semifinalist

During the Apertura season

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureReplaced byPosition in table
Sonsonate Juan Ramon ParedesContract not approved by federation, therefore could not coach the clubAugust 2018 Mario Elias GuevaraAugust 201812th
Audaz German PerezSacked, move to become the assistant managerSeptember 2018 William Renderos IrahetaSeptember 201811th
Sonsonate Mario Elias GuevaraSackedSeptember 2018 Hugo OlevarSeptember 20189th
FAS Álvaro de Jesús GómezResigned due to family reasonsSeptember 2018 Erick Dowson Prado September 20185th
Chalatenango Ángel PiazziResignedOctober 2018 Geovani Portillo October 20189th
Firpo Jorge CallesResignedOctober 2018 Asdrúbal FloresOctober 201812th
Chalatenango Geovani Portillo Interimship finishedOctober 2018 Alvaro Misael AlfaroOctober 20188th
Limeno Victor CoreasSackedOctober 2018 Omar SevillaOctober 20189th

Between Apertura and Clausura seasons

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyReplaced byDate of appointmentPosition in table
Jocoro Nelson AnchetaResignedDecember 2018 Cristóbal CubillaDecember 201810th
Sonsonate Hugo OlevarContract finishedDecember 2018 Nelson AnchetaDecember 201811th
Isidro Metapan Agustin CastilloSackedDecember 2018 Edwin PortilloDecember 20185th
Limeno Omar SevillaSackedDecember 2018 William Renderos IrahetaDecember 20187th
Audaz William Renderos IrahetaResignedDecember 2018 Pablo QuiñonezJanuary 20196th

During the Clausura season

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureReplaced byPosition in table
Firpo Asdrúbal FloresSackedFebruary 2019 Carlos Alberto de ToroFebruary 201910th
Sonsonate Nelson AnchetaSackedFebruary 2019 Omar Pimentel February 201910th
Pasaquina Eraldo CorreiaResigned, due to lack of paymentsFebruary 2019 Jose Manuel RomeroFebruary 20196th
Jocoro Cristóbal CubillaMutual AgreementFebruary 2019 Guillermo RiveraFebruary 20199th
Sonsonate Omar PimentelInterimship endedMarch 2019 Rubén da SilvaMarch 201911th
Santa Tecla Christian DíazResignedApril 2019 Rodolfo Gochez April 20196th
Santa Tecla Rodolfo GochezCaretaker role finishedApril 2019 Sebastian AbreuApril 20196th

Apertura

League table

Results

Records

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Rodolfo ZelayaAlianza14
2 Waldemar AcostaÁguila12
2 Ramiro Iván RoccaChalatenango11
4 Clayvin ZúnigaMunicipal Limeño10
5 Jeison QuiñonesPasaquina8
5 RicardinhoSanta Tecla8
5 Zé PauloIsidro Metapán8
8 Bladimir DíazAlianza7
9 Nelson AlvarengaJocoro6
9 Édgar CruzJocoro6
9 Santos GuzmánAudaz6
9 Wilma TorresSanta Tecla6
9 Joaquín VergésÁguila6

Scoring

Quarterfinals

First leg
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Second leg
Aguila won 4-3 on aggregate.
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Santa Tecla won 3-2 on aggregate.
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FAS won 2-0 on aggregate.
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Alianza won 7-0 on aggregate.

Semifinals

First leg
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Second leg
Santa Tecla won 5-2 on aggregate.
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2-2. Alianza advanced as the higher seeded team.

Final

Clausura

League table

Results

Records

No.PlayerClubGoals
1 Bladimir DiazAlianza16
2 Armando PoloSonsonate13
3 Jeison QuinonezPasaquina13
4 RicardinhoIsidro Metapan8
5 Dustin CoreaFAS7
6 Ricardo GuevaraAguila7
7 Juan Carlos PortilloAlianza7
8 James CabeszasMunicipal Limeno6
9 Oscar CerenAlianza6
10 David RugamasFAS6

Scoring

Quarterfinals

First leg
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----
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Second leg
4-4, Aguila won as highest seeded team.
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Isidro Metapan won 3-2 on aggregate.
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1-1, Limeno won as highest seeded team.
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Alianza won 5-0 on aggregate.

Semifinals

First leg
----
Second leg
Aguila won 4-0 on aggregate.
----
2-2, Alianza won as highest seeded team.

Final

Aggregate table

List of foreign players in the league

This is a list of foreign players in the 2018–19 season. The following players:
  1. Have played at least one game for the respective club.
  2. Have not been capped for the El Salvador national football team on any level, independently from the birthplace
A new rule was introduced this season, that clubs can have four foreign players per club and can only add a new player if there is an injury or a player is released and it is before the close of the season transfer window.
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