In an exciting friendly encounter, CSD Municipal of Guatemala faced off against Club León from Mexico on March 22, 2025, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, showcasing competitive play from both teams despite the absence of fans in the stands.
The game kicked off during a FIFA break, allowing clubs to keep their momentum while the regular league matches were on hold. Municipal entered the match proudly representing Guatemala, fresh off strong league performance in their domestic Primera División.
As the match began, the atmosphere was largely subdued due to the minimal attendance. However, Municipal’s players were spirited, donning their iconic red jerseys. Their efforts paid off when César Archila broke through the defenses to score the opening goal at the 41st minute, sending the Guatemalan fans, albeit few, into a frenzy. In the words of their official Twitter account, "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE CÉSAR ARCHILA #VamosRojos!"
Club León, facing pressure as they sought to equalize, fielded notable players but lacked some of their stars due to national team commitments. For instance, their star player, James Rodríguez, was away with the Colombian national team. The Esmeraldas, currently dealing with recent losses in their Liga MX campaign, needed a strong performance to boost team morale.
As the second half unfolded, numerous substitutions were made by both teams, typical in friendly matches where coaches explore different player combinations. León's coach Eduardo Berizzo rotated some players to find an effective strategy against Municipal’s tenacious defense.
In a dramatic twist, as the match neared its final moments, Charal Cisneros of León managed to score in stoppage time, equalizing at 1-1. His goal ignited celebrations from his teammates, with the Club León Twitter account exclaiming, "GOOOOOOOOL DE LA FIEEEEERA! ¡CHARAL CISNEROS GOOOOL! #SerFieraEsUnOrgullo!"
The noteworthiness of this match extended beyond the scoreline. Municipal's display of skill and tactics remained impressive, despite the draw, as they held their own against a top-flight Mexican team, demonstrating that they could compete with larger clubs. A well-coordinated defense from Municipal frustrated León’s attempts to dominate the game, especially in the first half.
Before the match concluded, the referee issued a red card to Santos of Club León in the 79th minute, leaving the Esmeraldas down to ten players. This setback could have led other teams to crumble under pressure, but León managed to regroup and secure the tie which demonstrated resilience and determination, qualities needed as they headed back to Mexico for their upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, Municipal’s performance in this game has left a positive impression, signaling their readiness for the resumption of their national league. They are scheduled to face Xelajú MC in their next match at Estadio El Trébol following this friendly affair.
Meanwhile, León will shift their focus back to Liga MX where they are positioned as contenders but must gain consistency following a string of unfortunate results, including losses in their two previous matches before this friendly.
On March 30, 2025, León will return to Mexico for a crucial encounter against Pumas, looking to regain their form and climb back up the league standings. The outcome of this friendly serves as a stepping stone for both teams as they aim for success in their domestic competitions.
