Once Caldas Aims for Copa Sudamericana Victory Against San José

MANIZALES, Colombia – Once Caldas faces a critical match in the Copa Sudamericana on Thursday, competing against Gualberto Villarroel San José of Bolivia. This high-stakes game will be held at the packed Palogrande Stadium, where the Colombian team leads Group F with 9 points, five ahead of their Bolivian rivals.

In their previous encounter in Bolivia, Once Caldas secured a 3-2 victory, with star player Dayro Moreno scoring all three goals. With such positive momentum, the team is optimistic that the altitude of Manizales won’t affect their performance. Instead, they believe talent will shine through.

Dayro Moreno, who has recently struggled to find the net, remains a focal point for the team’s success. Despite being the top scorer in South America for a brief period, he currently trails Ismael Díaz from U. Católica by two goals.

“We’re all ready to fight,” said James Aguirre, the team’s goalkeeper. “This is a family, and we’re excited for the match.” He emphasized that they have a strong desire to compete, both in the Copa Sudamericana and the domestic league.

The match is crucial for Once Caldas; if they win, they can secure a place in the next round, setting them up for a favorable outcome when they visit Fluminense. A draw would also keep them on top of the group.

Projected starting lineups include: For Once Caldas – James Aguirre; Luis Palacios, Jorge Cardona, Jerson Malagón, Juan Pablo Patiño; Iván Rojas, Mateo García; Jefry Zapata, Hugo Dorrego, Michael Barrios; Dayro Moreno. Head Coach: Hernán Darío Herrera. For GV San José – Bruno Poveda; Jhoni Ramallo, Andrés Landa, Augusto Seimandi, Dico Roca; Fernando Arismendi, Alexis Ribera, Joel Bejarano, Moisés Calero; Ferddy Roca and López Pissano. Head Coach: Eduardo Villegas.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+.