2011–12 C.D. Motagua season

Overview

The club announced its first signing on 29 April 2011, Honduran striker Luis López arrived for a one-year contract. Also, 37-year-old goalkeeper Kerpo de León joined after a prominent performance at C.D.S. Vida. On 3 June, Honduran midfielder Carlos Discua was transferred from Guatemalan side C.S.D. Comunicaciones. In the evening of 15 June 2011, midfielder Jorge Claros was shot twice in the head and clavicle by two unidentified persons who tried to steal his car in a neighbor in San Pedro Sula, Claros escaped injured but in a stable condition. On 22 August, the club signed 22-year-old Colombian striker John Palacios from ASA.

Motagua's first game in the league was on 7 August at Estadio Fausto Flores Lagos against C.D. Necaxa losing 0–1. On 16 September, due to poor performance both in the league and the Champions League, the club's president Pedro Atala took the decision to separate Ramón Maradiaga as manager; leaving Luis Reyes as a temporary replacement. Three days later, on 19 September, Mexican coach José Treviño arrived as new manager for the rest of the season; while Colombian striker John Palacios left the team just one month after his signing arguing differences with teammates.

On 22 September, the club released a pink jersey to be worn on all the games from October, in a way to support the fight against breast cancer. On 3 October, striker Jerry Bengtson appeared 50th on The World's Top Goal Scorer 2011 list published by the IFFHS. On 11 October, the Disciplinary Commission forced Motagua to play its home game against C.D. Marathón in a neutral venue due to the incidents occurred on 9 October at the Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino in the Honduran Superclásico against C.D. Olimpia where one unidentified Motagua fan throw an object to the field injuring rival's player Carlos Mejía at the end of the match; however, Motagua appeal to the decision and the penalization was revoked on 13 October.

On 19 November, Motagua was eliminated from the postseason despite winning the last four games in a row; this disqualification was the 13th in Motagua's history.

The Clausura tournament was scheduled to be played from January to May 2012. Manager José Treviño declared interest in signing Brazilian striker José Dias but later desisted; the club announced on 5 December 2011 to have signed Honduran strikers Georgie Welcome and Melvin Valladares who came from Mexican clubs Club Atlas and Dorados de Sinaloa respectively. One day later Arnold Peralta also joined from C.D.S. Vida but due to wages disagreements, the midfielder refused to sign. The Clausura fixtures were announced on 8 December, and Motagua faced C.D. Necaxa away on round 1.

In December 2011, the IFFHS published a list of "The World's Top Goal Scorer 2011", and Motagua's striker Jerry Bengtson appeared in the list ranked 24th.

Motagua initiated the Clausura tournament with a 2–2 away draw against Necaxa at Estadio Fausto Flores Lagos. In round 12, Motagua defeated Real C.D. España 2–0 at Tegucigalpa, breaking their own 1974 record for the longest unbeaten start in a season, streak that lasted until 5 May totaling 19 games undefeated. The qualification to the second round was acquired on 14 April at Estadio Yankel Rosenthal in the 0–1 away victory over C.D. Marathón. Motagua won two more games after that and became the second team in the history of the league that finished the regular season without defeats; C.D. Olimpia had already done it twice in 1969–70 and 1997–98 Clausura.

As second placed at the end of the regular season, Motagua obtained an automatic ticket to the semifinals; the opponent was decided from the previous round, where Marathón beat Vida. Once in the semifinals, Motagua were unable to surpass Marathón and lost 0–2 on aggregate score, this being the second consecutive time that they were prematurely eliminated. With only one defeat in the season, Motagua matched the records obtained in 1973–74 and 1999–2000 A. Also, due to great performance from both goalkeepers Donaldo Morales and Kerpo de León, Motagua broke its own record of fewest goals conceded in a season, with only 12; the previous record was 15 conceded goals in 1973–74.

In the Reserves tournament, the youth team captured the 2011–12 Clausura season.

Players

Transfers in

Transfers out

Squad

• Statistics as of 5 May 2012
• Only league matches into account

Results

Preseason and friendlies

Murga Márquez Ramírez Bengtson Ramírez Discua García Martínez Corral Padilla

Apertura

Vega Córdoba Colón Velásquez Claros Berríos Cardozo Discua Ávila Guevara Norales

Clausura

Urmeneta Leverón Bengtson Discua Guevara Barrios Welcome Galdámez Brown

CONCACAF Champions League

Main article: 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League

As 2010–11 Clausura league champions, F.C. Motagua qualified to the Preliminary round of the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League. On 24 June 2011, CONCACAF announced the first stage schedule which paired Motagua against C.S.D. Municipal. On 4 August 2011, Motagua advanced to the Group phase after a 4–2 score on aggregate over Municipal. Once in the Group phase, things went upside down for Motagua and on 22 September, they were mathematically eliminated from quarterfinal contention after losing 0–2 against Monarcas Morelia at Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino. At the end of the group phase, Motagua not only were eliminated, but finished last with zero points with a sixth straight loss.

Borjas Guevara Ramírez Donovan Rojas Jiménez Lugo Guevara McDonald Guevara
Manso

References

References

1. [http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2361279,00.html CONCACAF.com–Seven clinch berths in Champions League] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-05-18 –16 May 2011)
2. [http://www.latribunadeportiva.hn/2011/05/22/el-campeon-se-presenta-en-catacamas/ LaTribunaDeportiva.hn–El campeón se presenta en Catacamas] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-08-05 –22 May 2011)
3. [http://www.latribuna.hn/2011/06/20/azules-pasan-pruebas-fisicas-y-medicas/ LaTribuna.hn–Azules pasan pruebas físicas y médicas]{{Dead link. (April 2019)
4. [http://radioamericahn.net/motagua-ficha-por-un-ano-al-comayagua-lopez/ RadioAmericahn.net–Motagua ficha por un año al "Comayagua" López] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-08-25 –29 April 2011)
5. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Deportes/Ediciones/2011/06/03/Noticias/Chino-Discua-a-Motagua LaPrensa.hn–"Chino" Discua a Motagua] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-06-08 –3 June 2011)
6. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Deportes/Ediciones/2011/06/16/Noticias/Jorge-Claros-operado-con-exito-tras-atentado LaPrensa.hn–Jorge Claros, operado con éxito tras atentado] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-06-20 –16 June 2011)
7. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Deportes/Ediciones/2011/08/22/Noticias/Llego-el-delantero-colombiano-de-Motagua LaPrensa.hn–Llegó el delantero colombiano de Motagua] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-09-04 –22 August 2011)
8. [http://www.diez.hn/Inicio/Ediciones/2011/08/07/Noticias/Necaxa-le-estreno-la-corona-a-Motagua Diez.hn–Necaxa le estrenó la corona a Motagua]–7 August 2011
9. [http://www.diez.hn/Inicio/Ediciones/2011/09/16/Noticias/Primitivo-Maradiaga-fuera-del-Motagua Diez.hn–Primitivo Maradiaga, fuera del Motagua] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-10-20 –16 August 2011)
10. [http://www.radiohrn.hn/l/content/pepe-trevi%C3%B1o-es-el-nuevo-entrenador-de-motagua RadioHRN.hn–Pepe Treviño es el nuevo entrenador de Motagua] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-10-20 –19 September 2011)
11. [http://www.latribunadeportiva.hn/2011/09/19/palacios-abandono-a-motagua/ LaTribunaDeportiva.hn–Palacios abandonó a Motagua] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-09-06 –19 September 2011)
12. [http://www.diez.hn/Inicio/Ediciones/2011/09/22/Noticias/Estoy-ilusionado-de-regresar-a-Motagua Diez.hn–"Estoy ilusionado de regresar a Motagua"]–22 September 2011
13. [http://www.iffhs.de/?388d85ff0e003c4f05f68e05b85fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb8a201 IFFHS.de–The World's Top Goal Scorer 2011] {{webarchive. link. (2009-10-01 –3 October 2011)
14. [http://www.tiempo.hn/cronometro/index.php/liga-nacional/2285-motagua-multado-y-castigado-con-un-juego Tiempo.hn–Motagua multado y castigado con un juego] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-12-26 –11 October 2011)
15. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Secciones-Principales/Deportes/Liga-Nacional/Levantan-la-sancion-al-estadio-Nacional LaPrensa.hn–Levantan la sanción al estadio Nacional]–13 October 2011
16. [http://www.latribuna.hn/2011/11/19/motagua-murio-con-las-botas-puestas/ LaTribuna.hn–Motagua murió con las botas puestas] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-11-20 –19 October 2011)
17. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Secciones-Principales/Deportes/Liga-Nacional/La-Liga-Nacional-define-el-calendario-del-Torneo-Clausura-2012 LaPrensa.hn–La Liga Nacional define el calendario del Torneo Clausura 2012]–8 December 2011
18. [http://www.iffhs.de/?388d85ff0e003c4f05f68e05b85fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb8a201 IFFHS.de–The World's Top Goal Scorer 2011] {{webarchive. link. (2009-10-01 –31 December 2011)
19. [http://www.elheraldo.hn/Secciones-Principales/Zona-Deportiva/Necaxa-saco-la-garra-y-rescata-un-punto-ante-Motagua ElHeraldo.hn–Necaxa sacó la garra y rescata un punto ante Motagua] {{Webarchive. link. (2015-02-18 –8 January 2012)
20. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Secciones-Principales/Deportes/Liga-Nacional/Motagua-supera-invicto-de-1974 LaPrensa.hn–Motagua supera invicto de 1974] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-03-22 –20 March 2012)
21. [http://hondurasfutbol.com/motagua-enrumba-a-la-punta-y-estanca-de-nuevo-al-marathon/ Hondurasfutbol.com–Motagua enrumba a la punta y estanca de nuevo al Marathón]
22. [http://www.elheraldo.hn/Secciones-Principales/Zona-Deportiva/A-definir-posicion-para-la-liguilla-del-Clausura ElHeraldo.hn–A definir posición para la liguilla del Clausura]–21 April 2012
23. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Secciones-Principales/Deportes/Liga-Nacional/Marathon-ahoga-al-Motagua-y-es-el-primer-finalista-en-Honduras LaPrensa.hn–Marathón ahoga al Motagua y es el primer finalista en Honduras] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-05-09 –5 May 2012)
24. link. (2012-08-07 –24 May 2012)
25. [http://www.diez.hn/Inicio/Ediciones/2011/05/27/Noticias/Kerpo-de-Leon-nuevo-fichaje-de-Motagua Diez.hn–Kerpo de León, nuevo fichaje de Motagua]–27 May 2011
26. [http://www.latribunadeportiva.hn/2011/12/04/georgie-welcome-se-queda-en-motagua/ LaTribunaDeportiva.hn–Georgie Welcome se queda en Motagua] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-08-03 –4 December 2011)
27. [http://www.laprensa.hn/Secciones-Principales/Deportes/Liga-Nacional/Motagua-sorprende-a-todos-y-ficha-a-Rambo-de-Leon-por-un-ano LaPrensa.hn–Motagua sorprende a todos y ficha a Rambo de León por un año] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-08-03 –16 January 2012)
28. [http://www.elheraldo.hn/Secciones-Principales/Zona-Deportiva/Melvin-Valladares-la-nueva-contratacion-de-Motagua ElHeraldo.hn–Melvin Valladares, la nueva contratación de Motagua]–5 December 2011
29. [http://www.latribunadeportiva.hn/2011/12/09/%E2%80%9Clucho%E2%80%9D-guzman-regresa-al-nido/ LaTribunaDeportiva.hn–"Lucho" Guzmán regresa al "nido"] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-09-04 –9 December 2011)
30. [http://www.elheraldo.hn/Secciones-Principales/Zona-Deportiva/Se-forma-un-nuevo-ciclon ElHeraldo.hn–Se forma un nuevo ciclón]–12 December 2011
31. link. (2012-08-03 –7 June 2011)
32. link. (2012-08-03 –7 June 2011)
33. [http://www.latribuna.hn/2011/06/20/azules-pasan-pruebas-fisicas-y-medicas/ LaTribuna.hn–Cruz y Alvarado se van]{{Dead link. (April 2019)
34. [http://www.elheraldo.hn/Zona%20Deportiva/Ediciones/2011/11/22/Noticias/El-Heraldo-revela-la-lista-negra-de-Pepe-Trevino ElHeraldo.hn–El Heraldo revela la lista negra de "Pepe" Treviño] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-03-04 –22 November 2011)
35. [http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/hibernian/295803-jorge-claros-comp%20letes-hibernian-loan-move/ Sport.stv.tv–Jorge Claros completes Hibernian loan move]{{Dead link. (August 2019)
36. [http://www.diez.hn/Inicio/Ediciones/2011/11/22/Noticias/Ivan-Guerrero-deja-al-Motagua Diez.hn–Iván Guerrero deja al Motagua]–22 November 2011
37. [http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2381693,00.html CONCACAF.com–San Francisco-Seattle to open Champions League] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-07-19 –24 June 2011)
38. [http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2410615,00.html CONCACAF.com–Motagua reaches CCL Group Stage despite loss] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-09-25 –4 August 2011)
39. [http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2459827,00.html CONCACAF.com–Morelia eliminates Motagua from CCL 2-0] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-09-24 –22 September 2011)
40. [http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2488790,00.html CONCACAF.com–Galaxy completes CCL quarterfinal field] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-10-22 –20 October 2011)