LEON, Mexico – With the start of the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League less than four weeks away, Herediano of Costa Rica is kicking its preseason into high gear with a trip to Mexico.
The Costa Rican club arrived to Leon on Thursday and will play six friendlies against Mexican clubs before returning home on July 17 prior to the start of its 2018 Clausura season opener on July 21 versus UCR.
While in Mexico, the Tico side will square off against Club Tijuana, Club Leon, Mineros de Zacatecas, Queretaro, La Piedad and Alacranes de Durango.
Herediano already has two preseason friendlies under its belt against Costa Rican teams, a 2-1 victory against Sporting San Jose and a 2-0 win over Puntarenas FC.
The club has also been considerably busy during the summer transfer window.
Speedy MF Jose Leiton has been recalled from his loan at MLS side Minnesota United for the 2018 Apertura. Leiton was part of Herediano’s title-winning team in the 2017 Torneo de Verano.
Mexican FW Aldo Magana has also signed a one-year contract with the club. The 22-year-old had previous spells in Mexican football with Club Leon and Celaya, plus in Costa Rican football with Guadalaupe FC. Magana scored eight goals while with Guadalupe during the 2017 Apertura.
Another key addition to the Florenses is veteran MF Edgar Gerardo Lugo. The 33-year-old has enjoyed an excellent career, winning a Liga MX title with Tigres during the 2015 Apertura and is a three-time Copa MX winner with Tigres (2014 Clausura), Queretaro (2016 Apertura) and Veracruz (2016 Clausura).
Lugo also boasts solid credentials in CONCACAF play, having appeared in 36 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League matches as a member of Cruz Azul, Morelia, Santos Laguna and Tigres.
In addition to Magana and Lugo, Herediano announced the signings of FW Antonio Pedroza, FW Alberth Villalobos, MF Yecsi Jarquin, DF Keysher Fuller and DF Christian Reyes.
Herediano will kick off its SCL campaign on August 2 at home versus Santa Tecla of El Salvador before traveling to Santa Tecla for the return leg on August 8.