Asociación Deportiva Municipal Liberia is a Costa Rican professional football club based in Liberia, Guanacaste. They currently compete in the Liga FPD and play their home matches at the Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño.
History Founding and early years Founded on June 7, 1977, the club began in the second division after purchasing the franchise of Deportivo Fertica. After decades of fluctuating between the second and third divisions, the club finally achieved promotion to the Costa Rican Primera División in 2001.
The Sotela Era and first title In 2007, businessman Mario Sotela purchased the club, rebranding it as Liberia Mía. Heavy investment in veteran talent led the team to its first-ever Primera División title in Verano 2009, defeating Herediano 3–0 in the final. However, financial instability led to multiple rebrandings, and the team was eventually expelled by UNAFUT in March 2011 due to mounting debts.
Rebirth In mid-2011, the club was refounded as Los Coyotes del Municipal Liberia after acquiring the franchise of AD Desamparados. The club returned to the top flight for the 2015–2016 season and most recently earned promotion again in 2023.
Colours and Crest Uniform
Municipal Liberia's primary colors are aurum yellow and obsidian black, a combination that has defined the club's visual identity since its founding in 1977. Aurum Yellow: represents the golden sun of the Guanacaste pampas and the energy of the "Ciudad Blanca" (White City). Obsidian Black: symbolizes strength and the fierce nature of the Coyote, the club’s primary mascot and namesake. While the primary kit is yellow and black, the club frequently incorporates pure white into its alternate designs. This is a direct reference to Liberia's nickname, the Ciudad Blanca, historically named for its white gravel streets and colonial buildings made of bahareque.
Crest
The club's crest is a circular emblem featuring a howling coyote silhouetted against a rising sun. The sun's rays are often depicted as bold, sharp lines that represent the intense heat and spirit of the northern region of Costa Rica. White City Connection.
Sponsorship Period Kit manufacturer Main sponsor 2024–present Monarca Grupo Eusse 2022–2024 Umbro Coopeguanacaste 2021–2022 Joma Municipalidad de Liberia 2018–2021 Lotto Tigo
Broadcasting Municipal Liberia matches are broadcast through various media outlets in Costa Rica.
Type Network Language TV Cable FUTV Spanish Radio Columbia Deportiva Spanish Streaming FUTV / App Spanish
Stadium
The stadium was built in 1970 and is owned by the Municipality of Liberia. It underwent major renovations in 2013 to serve as a host venue for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. It has a capacity of 6,500 spectators.
Club culture Rivalries Clásico de la Pampa The club's primary rival is A.D. Guanacasteca, with whom they contest the Clásico de la Pampa. The rivalry is deeply rooted in regional identity, as both clubs represent the Guanacaste province but hail from different socio-economic hubs—Liberia (the "White City") and Nicoya (the "Colonial City").
The first encounter in the Primera División took place on August 3, 2002, resulting in a 2–1 victory for Guanacasteca. After ADG's relegation in 2004, the derby was largely played in the Segunda División for nearly two decades. The rivalry returned to the top flight in September 2023, following Liberia's promotion, an event celebrated by the league as a restoration of Guanacaste's footballing heritage.
Head-to-head statistics As of March 26, 2026
Competition Played Liberia wins Draws ADG wins Primera División 18 3 6 9 Segunda División 18 4 3 11 Total 36 7 9 20
Club Sport Herediano While not a traditional regional derby, the matches between Municipal Liberia and CS Herediano carry significant historical weight. During the late 2000s, the two clubs shared a close administrative and sporting relationship, leading fans and the media to dub Herediano as Liberia's "Big Brother."
This relationship reached its peak—and its most ironic moment—during the 2008–09 Verano Championship. In a historic final, Municipal Liberia (then known as Liberia Mía) defeated Herediano 3–0 in the second leg at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero to claim their first-ever Primera División title. The victory remains one of the greatest upsets in Costa Rican football history, as the "younger brother" claimed the trophy on the "big brother's" home turf.
Head-to-head statistics As of March 2026
Competition Played Liberia wins Draws Herediano wins Primera División 35 8 6 21
Players
Current squad
Notable players Name Víctor Núñez Daniel Colindres Michael Umaña Alonso Solís Marvin Angulo Mínor Díaz Name Harold Wallace Jacques Rémy Cristian Gamboa Alejandro Alpízar Kenneth García Walter Chévez Name Pablo Salazar Pércival Piggott Fernando Lesme Antonny Monreal Erick Torres
Coaches Coaching staff Coaching staff Head coach José Cardozo Assistant coach Fabrizio Ronchetti Assistant coach Kevin Obando Fitness coach Gabriel Patat Goalkeeper coach Erick Sanchez Sporting Director Hancer Zuñiga
Head coach history The following is a list of Municipal Liberia managers from 2007 to the present.
Coach Tenure José Cardozo Feb 2025 Present Fabrizio Ronchetti Jan 2025 Feb 2025 Mínor Díaz Oct 2021 Jan 2025 Marvin Solano Apr 2021 Oct 2021 Christian Oviedo Sep 2020 Apr 2021 Miguel Ulecia Feb 2020 Sep 2020 Carlos de Toro Jul 2019 Aug 2019 Flávio da Silva Jul 2018 Dec 2018 Coach Tenure Erick Rodríguez Feb 2018 Apr 2018 Víctor Abelenda Nov 2017 Jan 2018 Vinicio Alvarado Aug 2017 Nov 2017 Marvin Solano Aug 2016 Mar 2017 Gustavo Martínez Aug 2015 Oct 2015 Orlando de León Feb 2015 Aug 2015 Alain Gay-Hardy Jul 2008 Dec 2009 Carlos Restrepo Jan 2008 Jun 2008
Honours Competition Titles Seasons Primera División de Costa Rica 1 Verano 2009 Segunda División de Costa Rica 3 2000–01, 2014–15, 2022–23 Costa Rican Third Division 1 1985
Records Year-by-year The following table lists the club's performance in national competitions since its return to the Liga FPD in 2023.
Season Domestic League Domestic Cup Position 2023–24 44 15 14 15 63 75 59 9th (A) / 5th (C) Quarter-finals 2024–25 44 14 8 22 52 60 50 8th (A) / 7th (C) Round of 16 2025–26 33 14 9 10 44 42 51 Semi-finals (A) Semi-finals Note: The 2025–26 Clausura season is currently in progress. League statistics reflect the completed Apertura 2025 (including playoffs) and the Clausura regular season through March 2026.
International competitions The following is a list of all international competitions in which Municipal Liberia has participated.
Year Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary round Real España 3–0 0–6 3–6
References