The 2018–19 Primera División de El Salvador (also known as the Liga Pepsi) 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.
Teams
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.
Champions: Jocoro F.C.
Relegated to Segunda División de Fútbol Salvadoreño as of June, 2018.
Last Place: Dragon
Personnel and sponsoring
TeamChairmanHead CoachCaptainKitmakerShirt Sponsors Águila Jose Alexander Menjivar Carlos Romero Benji Villalobos Maca Mister Donut, Canal 4, Pollo Campesto, Pilsener Alianza Adolfo Salume Jorge Rodríguez TBD Umbro Canal 4, Mister Donut, Tigo, Gatorade, Veca airlines, Brahva Audaz Roberto Campos Pablo Quiñonez Carlos Monteagudo Rush Atletics Claro, Chalatenango Rigoberto Mejia Alvaro Misael Alfaro TBD Nil Lemus, Premiun Center, Arjona Import & Export Co Jocoro F.C. Leonel Hernández Cristóbal Cubilla Giuviny Esquivel Milan Haciendo Regalo de Dios, Caja de Credito Jocoro FAS Guillermo Moran Erick Dowson Prado Néstor Raúl Renderos Joma Pilsener, Tigo, Canal 4, Hospital Cader, Sol Firpo Modesto Torres Asdrúbal Flores Edwin Martinez Galaxia Pilsener, KTOR Sports, Lacteos Velatoro Isidro Metapán Rafael Morataya Agustin Castillo Milton Molina Milan Canal 4, Arroz de San Pedro, Agroamigo, Morataya Limeño Martín Herrera William Renderos Iraheta Francisco Jovel Álvarez Nil UNAB (Universidad Dr. Andres Berello), Chilos Seafood Restaurant, TuriTravel, Disturbidora Torres, Innova sport Pasaquina Óscar Ramírez Eraldo Correia Isaac Zelaya Nil Canal 4, Innova sport Sonsonate Pedro Contreras Nelson Ancheta Christian Sánchez Milan ProACES, Aldasa, Alcadia Municipal Sonsonate, Canal 4, Leche salud, Ferreteria Santa Sofia, Coop-1 Santa Tecla José Vidal Hernández Christian Díaz Gerson Mayen Kelme Powerade, 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 (Club Social Águila) had purchased Aguila from the Arieta group (Grupo Aguila Deportivo) 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, replacing Nike.
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.
David Antonio Platero Didier Gutiérrez Darwin Alcides Melgar José Vidal Hernández Mauricio Ernesto González Tulio Quiros
Managerial changes
Before the start of the season
TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyReplaced byDate of appointmentPosition in table Firpo Giovanni Trigueros Contract finished May 2018 Jorge Calles May 2018 7th & Quarterfinalist (Clausura 2018) Santa Tecla Ruben da Silva Mutual consent May 2018 Christian Díaz June 2018 2nd & runners-up (Clausura 2018) Sonsonate Juan Ramón Sánchez contract not renewed June 2018 Juan Ramon Paredes June 2018 8th (Quarterfinal) Jocoro Emiliano Barrera Resigned June 2018 Nelson Ancheta June 2018 Newly Promoted (N/A) Pasaquina Francisco Robles Contract not renewed June 2018 Eraldo Correia June 2018 8th (Quarterfinal) Chalatenango Geovanni Portillo Interim finished April 2018 Ángel Piazzi June 2018 10th (Clausura 2018) FAS Cristian Álvarez Moved to become Under 17 coach June 2018 Álvaro de Jesús Gómez June 2018 4th & Quarterfinalist (Clausura 2018) Aguila Miguel Obando Contract finished June 2018 Carlos Romero July 2018 3rd & Semifinalist (Clausura 2018) Audaz Carlos Romero Resigned June 2018 German Perez July 2018 6th & Semifinalist (Clausura 2018)
During the Apertura season
TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureReplaced byPosition in table Sonsonate Juan Ramon Paredes Contract not approved by federation, therefore could not coach the club August 2018 Mario Elias Guevara August 2018 12th (Apertura 2018) Audaz German Perez Sacked, move to become the assistant manager September 2018 William Renderos Iraheta September 2018 11th (Apertura 2018) Sonsonate Mario Elias Guevara Sacked September 2018 Hugo Olevar September 2018 9th (Apertura 2018) FAS Álvaro de Jesús Gómez Resigned due to family reasons September 2018 Erick Dowson Prado (Interim) September 2018 5th (Apertura 2018) Chalatenango Ángel Piazzi Resigned October 2018 Geovani Portillo (interim) October 2018 9th (Apertura 2018) Firpo Jorge Calles Resigned October 2018 Asdrúbal Flores October 2018 12th (Apertura 2018) Chalatenango Geovani Portillo (Interim) Interimship finished October 2018 Alvaro Misael Alfaro October 2018 8th (Apertura 2018) Limeno Victor Coreas Sacked October 2018 Omar Sevilla October 2018 9th (Apertura 2018)
Between Apertura and Clausura seasons
TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyReplaced byDate of appointmentPosition in table Jocoro Nelson Ancheta Resigned December 2018 Cristóbal Cubilla December 2018 10th (Apertura 2018) Sonsonate Hugo Olevar Contract finished December 2018 Nelson Ancheta December 2018 11th (Apertura 2018) Isidro Metapan Agustin Castillo Sacked December 2018 Edwin Portillo December 2018 5th (Apertura 2018) Limeno Omar Sevilla Sacked December 2018 William Renderos Iraheta December 2018 7th (Apertura 2018) Audaz William Renderos Iraheta Resigned December 2018 Pablo Quiñonez January 2019 6th (Apertura 2018)
During the Clausura season
TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureReplaced byPosition in table Firpo Asdrúbal Flores Sacked February 2019 Carlos Alberto de Toro February 2019 10th (Clausura 2019) Sonsonate Nelson Ancheta Sacked February 2019 Omar Pimentel (Interim) February 2019 10th (Clausura 2019) Pasaquina Eraldo Correia Resigned, due to lack of payments February 2019 Jose Manuel Romero February 2019 6th (Clausura 2019) Jocoro Cristóbal Cubilla Mutual Agreement February 2019 Guillermo Rivera February 2019 9th (Clausura 2019) Sonsonate Omar Pimentel Interimship ended March 2019 Rubén da Silva March 2019 11th (Clausura 2019) Santa Tecla Christian Díaz Resigned April 2019 Rodolfo Gochez (Interim) April 2019 6th (Clausura 2019) Santa Tecla Rodolfo Gochez Caretaker role finished April 2019 Sebastian Abreu April 2019 6th (Clausura 2019)
Apertura
League table
Results
Records Best home records: Santa Tecla F.C. and Alianza F.C. (27 points out of 33 points) Worst home records: C.D. Luis Angel Firpo (6 points out of 33 points) best away records : Alianza F.C. (22 points out of 33 points) worst away records : C.D. Luis Angel Firpo (6 points out of 33 points) Most goals scored: Alianza F.C. (44 goals) Fewest goals scored: C.D. Sonsonate (16 goals) Fewest goals conceded : Alianza F.C. (16 goals) Most goals conceded : C.D. Luis Angel Firpo (46 goals)
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Club Goals1 Rodolfo ZelayaAlianza142 Waldemar AcostaÁguila122 Ramiro Iván RoccaChalatenango114 Clayvin ZúnigaMunicipal Limeño105 Jeison QuiñonesPasaquina8 RicardinhoSanta Tecla Zé PauloIsidro Metapán8 Bladimir DíazAlianza79 Nelson AlvarengaJocoro6 Édgar CruzJocoro Santos GuzmánAudaz Wilma TorresSanta Tecla Joaquín VergésÁguila
Scoring
First goal of the season: Ronald Rodríguez for Aguila against Sonsonate, 9 minutes (July 28, 2018) First goal by a foreign player: Joaquín Vergés for Aguila against Sonsonate, 36 minutes (July 28, 2018) Fastest goal in a match: 2 minutes Bladimir Diaz for Alianza against Chalatenango (September 17, 2018) Goal scored at the latest point in a match: 90 minutes Juan Barahona goal for Santa Tecla against Audaz (28 July 2018) First penalty Kick of the season: Ricardinho for Santa Tecla against Audaz, 35 minutes (July 28, 2018) Widest winning margin: 5 goals Alianza 5–0 Luis Ángel Firpo (2018) First hat-trick of the season: Christopher Ramirez for Luis Ángel Firpo against Isidro Metapán (August 18, 2018) First own goal of the season: TBA (TBD) for TBD (February 19, 2018) Most goals in a match: 7 goals Luis Ángel Firpo 3-4 Isidro Metapán (August 18, 2018) Most goals by one team in a match: 5 goals Alianza 5–0 Luis Ángel Firpo (2018) Most goals in one half by one team: 4 goals FAS 4-0 (4–0) Luis Ángel Firpo (2nd half, August, 2018) Most goals scored by losing team: 3 goals Jocoro 3–4 Municipal Limeño (September 15, 2018) Most goals by one player in a single match: 3 goals Christopher Ramirez for Luis Ángel Firpo against Isidro Metapán (August 18, 2018) Ulises Tavares for Sonsonate against Audaz (September, 2018) Clayvin Zúniga for Limeno against Jocoro (September 15, 2018) Rodolfo Zelaya for Alianza against Aguila (September, 2018)
Playoffs
Quarterfinals
First leg
Second leg
Aguila won 4-3 on aggregate.
Santa Tecla won 3-2 on aggregate.
FAS won 2-0 on aggregate.
Alianza won 7-0 on aggregate.
Semifinals
First leg
Second leg
Santa Tecla won 5-2 on aggregate.
2-2. Alianza advanced as the higher seeded team.
Final
Alianza F.C. GK 1 Víctor García DF 12 Rubén Marroquín DF 20 Darío Ferreira DF 4 Ivan Mancía DF 15 Jonathan JiménezMF 21 Marvin Monterrosa MF 9 Óscar Cerén MF 27 Issac Portillo MF 17 Marlon Cornejo FW 14 Herbert Sosa ST 22 Rodolfo Zelaya Substitutes:FW 22 José Ángel Peña FW 10 Juan Carlos Portillo Manager: Jorge Humberto Rodriguez