*Introductory note: During the next few weeks I will be playing around with the format of these Roundup Newsletters. I would appreciate your feedback on the format, length, and type of Newsletter that you prefer.*
Friday 26/02/2021
Club Deportivo Cuenca 3 - Guayaquil City 0
Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar
After suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Emelec last week, Deportivo Cuenca responded favorably at home against Guayaquil City. In spite of only having 28% of the possession, the team from Cuenca were able to be clinical in front of goal. Scoring 3 out of their 4 shots on target which allowed them to get their first 3 points of the season.
Guayaquil City enjoyed the bulk of possession and at times looked dangerous in their build-up play. However, they were unable to create any significant chances. Defensively, they were far too easily cut open by Deportivo Cuenca’s attacking players. With a total of 0 shots on target recorded, Guayaquil City will need to create more goal-scoring opportunities if they want to fight for a continental qualification.
Goalscorers: Dorregaray (‘19), Jourdan (‘62), Chicaiza (‘79)
Saturday 27/02/2021
Universidad Católica 3 - Manta FC. 3
Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa
Saturday kicked off with one of the most stunning comebacks in recent memory in what was a game of two-halves. The first half saw a rampant Universidad Católica take advantage of every single mistake made by Manta’s keeper to go into half-time 3-0.
During the second half, Manta FC came out strongly to produce a high-press on Universidad Católica’s much changed team. Their press was extremely successful and the team from Manta were able to score 3 second-half goals to produce a fantastic comeback that earned them their first point of the season.
The comeback comes 3 days before Católica play at home in the first-round of the Copa Libertadores. Escobar will have to quickly put this result behind and mentally prepare his players if he is to avoid a quick exit from the continental competition.
Goalscorers: UC- Farías (‘1) Valencia (‘3, ‘16)
Manta - Ledesma (‘53) Angulo (‘65) Martínez (‘80)
CD Macará 3 - Independiente del Valle 1
Estadio Bellavista
A very organized Macará team were able to get their first 3 points of the season at home against a struggling Independiente del Valle side. Although Macará were only able to hold 22% of the possession, they were disciplined in defense and took advantage of their fast breaks to score 3 goals which caught Independiente del Valle on the back foot in transition.
A struggling Independiente were once again beaten due to the inability that they have to recover their shape once they lose the ball. Additionally, the team from Sangolquí struggled to break down a sturdy defence and when they did, they were denied by a brave Jorge Pucheta who produced some high-quality saves. Independiente will have to work on understanding the ideas presented by their new manager and quickly respond to this poor start to their season.
Goalscorers: Macará- Rodríguez (‘11), Portocarrero (‘48), Santacruz (‘90+2)
IDV - Vite (‘62)
Sociedad Deportiva Aucas 2 - Club Sport Emelec 3 (Ecuador’s Match of the Week #2)
Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda
On Saturday, Emelec were able to go top of the table thanks to a comeback victory against Aucas. The team from Guayaquil went behind twice and thanks to their quality in a highly contested midfield battle were finally able to beat 10 man Aucas who had their goalkeeper Frascarelli sent off.
There will be an in-depth analysis of this match posted on Wednesday written by former Macará analyst Jonathan Moncayo Sierra.
Goalscorers: Aucas- Quiñonez (‘23), Cuero (‘56)
Emelec - Rodríguez (‘43 P), Barceló (‘62), Richard Mina OG (‘78)
Sunday 28/02/2021
9 de Octubre 1 - Mushuc Runa SC 2
Estadio Alberto Spencer
In the newly recovered Alberto Spencer Stadium in Guayaquil, 9 de Octubre were unable to beat Mushuc Runa. Even though 9 de Octubre had plenty of possession and clear chances to score goals, they were not clinical in front of goal. They even missed a penalty kick in the dying minutes of the first-half.
On the other hand, Mushuc Runa proved to be a very disciplined side in defence. Lead by the phenomenal Ricardo Adé, they repelled many attacks and were overall solid defensively. Koufatti linked play well in the midfield together with Mosquera and they took their two chances when they were presented to them.
9 de Octubre must build on their two decent first matches and begin to get used to the first-tier of Ecuadorian football. Meanwhile, Mushuc Runa will look to get as many points on the board quickly to avoid relegation.
Goalscorers: 9 de Octubre- Fajardo (‘90+6)
Mushuc Runa - Bauman (‘26), Kouffaty (‘40 P)
CD Olmedo 0 - LDU (Q) 0
Estadio Olímpico de Riobamba
Liga de Quito visited Olmedo who once again had a difficult week administratively speaking. The visitors attempted to exert their dominance throughout the match with their incisive attacks down the wing. However they were unable to break down an incredibly disciplined defence and when they did they were met with an absolute brick wall in Gabriel Cevallos, who saved the team from Riobamba time and time again. In the 96th minute, Liga de Quito surely thought they had won the game when Reasco found the back of the net. However, the referee blew his whistle for a non-existant foul on the keeper who had collided with his defender.
Barcelona SC 3 - Club Técnico Universitario 0
Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha
A dominant Barcelona ran riot at Estadio Monumental to collect their second victory of the season against Técnico Universitario. In the third minute of the game, Damián Díaz scored a goal of the season contender to begin a dominant performance from the most popular team in Ecuador. Two goals scored in the second half sealed a wonderful performance by a team who has emerged as the early contender for the title together with their neighbors Emelec.
Técnico Universitario were second best throughout the whole match and were unable to assert themselves in midfield to attempt to bring something back to Ambato. Técnico Universitario has endured a rough start of the season losing their first two matches. In their next match at home against 9 de Octubre, José Hernadez’ men will attempt to break their negative form and collect their first three points of the season.
Goalscorers: Barcelona SC- Díaz (‘3), Castillo (‘76), López (‘90+1)
Monday 01/03/2021
Delfín SC 1 - Orense SC 1
Estadio Jocay
Matchday #2 came to a close on Monday evening in an entertaining match between Delfín and Orense which ended in a one-all draw. The first 30 minutes of the half belonged solely to Orense who appeared to have more than 11 men on the pitch as they wrestled control of midfield. In the 13th minute, Orense scored an absolute peach of a goal to go one-nil up and managed to manhandle the Delfín team to bring the first-half to an end.
In the second-half, Delfín managed to balance out possession and dominance of midfield. In large part due to Orense’s lack of energy after such an imposing, yet draining, second-half. With more possession and without being dominated so much, Delfín huffed and puffed looking for an equalizer. Their feeble attacks and lack of explosiveness in transition meant that they needed a set-piece to equalize the match and get a point at home.
Goalscorers: Delfín SC- Corozo (‘76)
Orense SC - Pissano (‘13)