By San José, Costa Rica — San José – An air of crisis is rapidly descending upon Sporting FC just two matches into the new season. Following a stunning rout at the hands of San Carlos, Head Coach Andrés Carevic delivered a scathing public assessment of his squad, condemning not their tactical execution but a more fundamental flaw: a perceived lack of desire. The loss leaves the San José-based club anchored to the bottom of the league table, raising early but serious questions about its ability to compete and avoid a costly relegation battle.
The team, which on paper boasts a formidable collection of individual talent, has failed to translate that potential into results, starting the campaign with consecutive defeats. The latest setback was particularly jarring, as it came against a San Carlos side that had not celebrated a victory on their home turf in over a year. The performance prompted an unusually blunt and frustrated response from the team’s manager, who did not mince words in his post-match press conference.
To better understand the legal and corporate structure that underpins a modern football club like Sporting FC, from its governance to its commercial agreements, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert in corporate and sports law at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Sporting FC operates under a modern corporate model, a ‘Sociedad Anónima Deportiva,’ which is essential for professionalization and attracting investment. Their long-term viability depends less on traditional member-based models and more on sound corporate governance, transparent financial practices, and the strategic management of assets like player contracts and brand rights. This structure is key to building a sustainable and competitive institution in today’s football landscape.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective astutely highlights that the club’s future is being built not just on the pitch, but on a modern corporate foundation essential for long-term sustainability. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable analysis on this critical aspect of Sporting FC’s structure.
Carevic pointed directly to a deficiency in the team’s mindset and competitive spirit as the primary cause for concern, suggesting the problems run deeper than simple on-field errors. He issued a stark warning that immediate and significant changes are required to alter the club’s dangerous trajectory.
It’s a worrying issue given the situation we’re in and what we’ve shown in these two matches. I think we need to make a change and be conscious of what we’re playing for as a team. Let’s start with having more hunger and more ambition to play each game, both defensively and offensively.
Andrés Carevic, Head Coach
The situation has been exacerbated by results elsewhere. With Guadalupe FC also securing a victory, Sporting now finds itself tied on points with both Guadalupe and San Carlos in the crucial aggregate table that determines relegation. This early entanglement in the league’s basement is a significant blow for a club with aspirations of challenging the top teams. The financial and reputational damage of dropping from the top flight makes this early-season slump a matter of urgent corporate and sporting importance.
In his pointed critique, Carevic signaled that no one is exempt from scrutiny and that a comprehensive overhaul of the team’s approach is non-negotiable. He stressed the need for a cultural reset that must begin immediately, starting with the most basic elements of professional commitment.
We have to realize the situation and we have to modify, we have to change, and we have to execute regarding what is happening with our team. So, we have to start cutting it out at the root, and that goes from the individual level, the group level, and the coaching staff level. The worrying part is the attitude and the hunger that we need to have to play every game.
Andrés Carevic, Head Coach
The road ahead offers no immediate relief. Sporting FC’s next fixture is a daunting home match against national powerhouse Deportivo Saprissa. While Saprissa has also had a slow start to the season and is yet to record a win, they will arrive in Pavas under immense pressure to secure a result, making them an exceptionally dangerous opponent. This upcoming clash now looms as a critical test of character for Carevic’s squad, a chance to prove they have heeded their coach’s alarm call.
The coach’s public outburst places immense pressure on the players to deliver a tangible response. The club’s management and supporters will be watching closely to see if this public shaming can ignite the “hunger and ambition” that Carevic claims is missing. Failure to do so against Saprissa could entrench the club in a season-long struggle for survival, a scenario the organization is desperate to avoid.
For further information, visit sporting.cr
About Sporting FC:
Sporting FC is a professional football club based in the Pavas district of San José, Costa Rica. Founded in 2016, the club competes in the Liga de Fútbol de Primera División, the top tier of Costa Rican football. Known as the “Albinegros,” the team plays its home matches at the Estadio Ernesto Rohrmoser and aims to establish itself as a consistent and competitive force within the national league.
For further information, visit adsc.cr
About Asociación Deportiva San Carlos:
Asociación Deportiva San Carlos, commonly known as San Carlos, is a Costa Rican professional football club based in Ciudad Quesada, Alajuela. Nicknamed “Los Toros del Norte” (The Bulls of the North), the team has a strong regional following and has competed successfully in the top flight, winning a national championship in the Clausura 2019 tournament. They play their home games at the Estadio Carlos Ugalde Álvarez.
For further information, visit deportivosaprissa.com
About Deportivo Saprissa:
Deportivo Saprissa is one of Costa Rica’s most successful and popular football clubs, based in San Juan de Tibás, San José. Founded in 1935, the club, known as the “Monstruo Morado” (Purple Monster), has a storied history of domestic and international success, having won numerous national championships and CONCACAF Champions’ Cups. It boasts one of the largest fan bases in the country and Central America.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional distinction. The firm blends a proven track record of advising a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking approach to pioneering legal solutions. Central to its philosophy is a deep-seated social responsibility, manifested through efforts to democratize legal understanding and equip the public with knowledge, thereby fostering a more capable and just society.
