Municipal Liberia
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| Full name | Asociación Deportiva Municipal Liberia | ||
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| Nicknames | Coyotes Pamperos Liberianos Los de la Ciudad Blanca | ||
| Founded | June 7, 1977 | ||
| Ground | Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño | ||
| Capacity | 6,500 | ||
| Owner | Grupo Eusse | ||
| Chairman | Juan E. Eusse Salazar | ||
| Manager | José Saturnino Cardozo | ||
| League | Liga Promerica | ||
| Clausura 2026 | 8th | ||
| Website | admliberia | ||
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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
- As of 16 March 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable players
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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.
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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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | 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 | .svg.png){kind=small} Real España |
3–0 | 0–6 | 3–6 |