| Competition: | Primera División de El Salvador |
| Season: | 2018–19 |
| Winners: | Santa Tecla (Apertura) Aguila (Clausura) |
| Relegated: | Firpo |
| Continentalcup1: | CONCACAF League |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Santa Tecla Aguila Alianza |
| Biggest Home Win: | Alianza 7–0 Chalatenango December, 2018 |
| Longest Wins: | games by: TBD |
| Longest Unbeaten: | games by: TBD |
| Longest Winless: | games by: TBD |
| Longest Losses: | games by: TBD |
| Prevseason: | 2017–18 |
| Nextseason: | 2019–20 |
| Updated: | 31 December 2018 |
The 2018–19 Primera División de El Salvador (also known as the Liga Pepsi) is the 20th season and 39th and 40th Primera División tournament, El Salvador's top football division, since its establishment of an Apertura and Clausura format. Alianza F.C. are the defending champions of both Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The league will consist of 12 teams. There will be two seasons conducted under identical rules, with each team playing a home and away game against the other clubs for a total of 22 games per tournament. At the end of each half-season tournament, the top eight teams in that tournament's regular season standings will take part in the playoffs.
The champions of Apertura or Clausura with the better aggregate record will qualify for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League. The other champion, and the runner-up with the better aggregate record will qualify for the 2019 CONCACAF League. Should the same team win both tournaments, both runners-up will qualify for CONCACAF League. Should the final of both tournaments features the same 2 teams, the semifinalist with the better aggregate record will qualify for CONCACAF League.
A total of 12 teams will contest the league, including 11 sides from the 2017–18 Primera División and 1 promoted from the 2017–18 Segunda División.
Dragon were relegated to 2018–19 Segunda División the previous season.
The relegated team was replaced by the 2017–18 Segunda División playoffs promotion winner. Jocoro F.C. won the Apertura 2017 and Clausura 2018 title, meaning there was no need for a promotion playoff and were promoted automatically.
Promoted from Segunda División de Fútbol Salvadoreño as of June, 2018.
Relegated to Segunda División de Fútbol Salvadoreño as of June, 2018.
| Team | Chairman | Head Coach | Captain | Kitmaker | Shirt Sponsors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Águila |  Jose Alexander Menjivar | Carlos Romero | Benji Villalobos | Maca | Mister Donut, Canal 4, Pollo Campesto, Pilsener | |
| Alianza | Adolfo Salume | Jorge Rodríguez | TBD | Umbro | Canal 4, Mister Donut, Tigo, Gatorade, Veca airlines, Brahva | |
| Audaz | Roberto Campos | Pablo Quiñonez | Carlos Monteagudo | Rush Atletics | Claro, | |
| Chalatenango | Rigoberto Mejia | Alvaro Misael Alfaro | TBD | Nil | Lemus, Premiun Center, Arjona Import & Export Co | |
| Jocoro F.C. | Leonel Hernández | Cristóbal Cubilla | Giuviny Esquivel | Milan | Haciendo Regalo de Dios, Caja de Credito Jocoro | |
| FAS | Guillermo Moran | Erick Dowson Prado | Néstor Raúl Renderos | Joma | Pilsener, Tigo, Canal 4, Hospital Cader, Sol | |
| Firpo | Modesto Torres | Asdrúbal Flores | Edwin Martinez | Galaxia | Pilsener, KTOR Sports, Lacteos Velatoro | |
| Isidro Metapán | Rafael Morataya |  Agustin Castillo | Milton Molina | Milan | Canal 4, Arroz de San Pedro, Agroamigo, Morataya | |
| Limeño | Martín Herrera | William Renderos Iraheta | Francisco Jovel Álvarez | Nil | UNAB (Universidad Dr. Andres Berello), Chilos Seafood Restaurant, TuriTravel, Disturbidora Torres, Innova sport | |
| Pasaquina | Óscar Ramírez |  Eraldo Correia | Isaac Zelaya | Nil | Canal 4, Innova sport | |
| Sonsonate | Pedro Contreras | Christian Sánchez | Milan | ProACES, Aldasa, Alcadia Municipal Sonsonate, Canal 4, Leche salud, Ferreteria Santa Sofia, Coop-1 | ||
| Santa Tecla | José Vidal Hernández |  Christian Díaz | Gerson Mayen | Kelme | Powerade, DLC, Canal 21, Pilsener, Claro, Plaza Merliot, Pollo Indio, Petrox, Dizucar, Bolívar, Toledo, The Moustache |
The Grupo Aguila Deportivo, SA de CV announced in June, 2018 that they were selling their operating rights for Aguila, on the 6th of July a new group under Adolfo Salume (Club Social Águila) had purchased Aguila from the Arieta group (Grupo Aguila Deportivo) for undisclosed fees.
Pasaquina announced that due to their home stadium not meeting new CONCACAF standards and minimal crowd numbers, they would play their home games at La Union stadium. Audaz also announced that they would play some games away from Estadio Jiboa.
The league signed a new deal with Mexican company Voit to provide the balls used in the national league. https://www.elsalvador.com/deportes/futbol/512500/la-primera-eligio-la-nueva-pelota/
The Audaz Apasteque group announced in January, 2018 that they were selling their operating rights for Audaz, on the 6th of July a new group under Roberto Campos had purchased Audaz from the Juan Pablo Herrera group for undisclosed fees. https://www.elsalvador.com/deportes/futbol/555902/presidente-de-audaz-justifica-el-uso-de-los-colores-del-independiente/
Audaz attempted to play in unapproved jersey, despite on the spot modification being done, referee abandoned the game and FESFUT decided to award the match to a 2-0 forfeit win to Isidro Metapan.
On February 27, 2019 C.D. Municipal Limeno, Jocoro F.C. and C.D. Pasaquina were deducted six points due to failing to sign the right paperwork for their respective under 17 teams to compete in the tournament. https://www.elsalvador.com/deportes/futbol/571654/limeno-pasaquina-y-jocoro-sancionados-con-la-perdida-de-seis-puntos/
The following people associated with the Primera Division have died in end of 2018 and mid 2019.
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Replaced by | Date of appointment | Position in table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firpo | Giovanni Trigueros | Contract finished | May 2018 | Jorge Calles | May 2018 | 7th & Quarterfinalist (Clausura 2018) |
| Santa Tecla | Ruben da Silva | Mutual consent | May 2018 | Christian Díaz | June 2018 | 2nd & runners-up (Clausura 2018) |
| Sonsonate | Juan Ramón Sánchez | contract not renewed | June 2018 | June 2018 | 8th (Quarterfinal) | |
| Jocoro | Resigned | June 2018 | Nelson Ancheta | June 2018 | Newly Promoted (N/A) | |
| Pasaquina | Francisco Robles | Contract not renewed | June 2018 | Eraldo Correia | June 2018 | 8th (Quarterfinal) |
| Chalatenango | Geovanni Portillo | Interim finished | April 2018 | Ángel Piazzi | June 2018 | 10th (Clausura 2018) |
| FAS | Moved to become Under 17 coach | June 2018 |  Álvaro de Jesús Gómez | June 2018 | 4th & Quarterfinalist (Clausura 2018) | |
| Aguila | Miguel Obando | Contract finished | June 2018 | Carlos Romero | July 2018 | 3rd & Semifinalist (Clausura 2018) |
| Audaz | Carlos Romero | Resigned | June 2018 | German Perez | July 2018 | 6th & Semifinalist (Clausura 2018) |
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Replaced by | width=125px | Position in table | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonsonate | Juan Ramon Paredes | Contract not approved by federation, therefore could not coach the club | August 2018 | Mario Elias Guevara | August 2018 | 12th (Apertura 2018) | |
| Audaz | German Perez | Sacked, move to become the assistant manager | September 2018 | William Renderos Iraheta | September 2018 | 11th (Apertura 2018) | |
| Sonsonate | Mario Elias Guevara | Sacked | September 2018 | Hugo Olevar | September 2018 | 9th (Apertura 2018) | |
| FAS | Álvaro de Jesús Gómez | Resigned due to family reasons | September 2018 | Erick Dowson Prado (Interim) | September 2018 | 5th (Apertura 2018) | |
| Chalatenango | Ángel Piazzi | Resigned | October 2018 | Geovani Portillo (interim) | October 2018 | 9th (Apertura 2018) | |
| Firpo | Jorge Calles | Resigned | October 2018 | Asdrúbal Flores | October 2018 | 12th (Apertura 2018) | |
| Chalatenango | Geovani Portillo (Interim) | Interimship finished | October 2018 | Alvaro Misael Alfaro | October 2018 | 8th (Apertura 2018) | |
| Limeno | Victor Coreas | Sacked | October 2018 | Omar Sevilla | October 2018 | 9th (Apertura 2018) | |
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Replaced by | Date of appointment | Position in table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jocoro | Nelson Ancheta | Resigned | December 2018 |  Cristóbal Cubilla | December 2018 | 10th (Apertura 2018) |
| Sonsonate | Hugo Olevar | Contract finished | December 2018 | Nelson Ancheta | December 2018 | 11th (Apertura 2018) |
| Isidro Metapan | Agustin Castillo | Sacked | December 2018 | Edwin Portillo | December 2018 | 5th (Apertura 2018) |
| Limeno | Omar Sevilla | Sacked | December 2018 | William Renderos Iraheta | December 2018 | 7th (Apertura 2018) |
| Audaz | William Renderos Iraheta | Resigned | December 2018 | Pablo Quiñonez | January 2019 | 6th (Apertura 2018) |
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Replaced by | width=125px | Position in table | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firpo | Asdrúbal Flores | Sacked | February 2019 | Carlos Alberto de Toro | February 2019 | 10th (Clausura 2019) | |
| Sonsonate | Nelson Ancheta | Sacked | February 2019 | Omar Pimentel (Interim) | February 2019 | 10th (Clausura 2019) | |
| Pasaquina | Eraldo Correia | Resigned, due to lack of payments | February 2019 | Jose Manuel Romero | February 2019 | 6th (Clausura 2019) | |
| Jocoro | Cristóbal Cubilla | Mutual Agreement | February 2019 | Guillermo Rivera | February 2019 | 9th (Clausura 2019) | |
| Sonsonate | Omar Pimentel | Interimship ended | March 2019 | Rubén da Silva | March 2019 | 11th (Clausura 2019) | |
| Santa Tecla | Christian Díaz | Resigned | April 2019 | Rodolfo Gochez (Interim) | April 2019 | 6th (Clausura 2019) | |
| Santa Tecla | Caretaker role finished | April 2019 | April 2019 | 6th (Clausura 2019) | |||
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Zelaya | Alianza | 14 |
| 2 | Waldemar Acosta | Águila | 12 |
| 2 | Ramiro Iván Rocca | Chalatenango | 11 |
| 4 | Clayvin Zúniga | Municipal Limeño | 10 |
| 5 | Jeison Quiñones | Pasaquina | 8 |
| Ricardinho | Santa Tecla | ||
| Zé Paulo | Isidro Metapán | ||
| 8 | Bladimir Díaz | Alianza | 7 |
| 9 | Nelson Alvarenga | Jocoro | 6 |
| Édgar Cruz | Jocoro | ||
| Santos Guzmán | Audaz | ||
| Wilma Torres | Santa Tecla | ||
| Joaquín Vergés | Águila | ||
Ronald Rodríguez for Aguila against Sonsonate, 9 minutes (July 28, 2018) Bladimir Diaz for Alianza against Chalatenango (September 17, 2018) Juan Barahona goal for Santa Tecla against Audaz (28 July 2018) Ricardinho for Santa Tecla against Audaz, 35 minutes (July 28, 2018) TBA (TBD) for TBD (February 19, 2018) Christopher Ramirez for Luis Ángel Firpo against Isidro Metapán (August 18, 2018)
Ulises Tavares for Sonsonate against Audaz (September, 2018) Rodolfo Zelaya for Alianza against Aguila (September, 2018)------------
Aguila won 4-3 on aggregate.----Santa Tecla won 3-2 on aggregate.----FAS won 2-0 on aggregate.----Alianza won 7-0 on aggregate.
----
Santa Tecla won 5-2 on aggregate.----2-2. Alianza advanced as the higher seeded team.
| Alianza F.C. | |||||
| GK | 1 | Víctor García | |||
| DF | 12 | ||||
| DF | 20 | ||||
| DF | 4 | Ivan Mancía | |||
| DF | 15 | Jonathan Jiménez | |||
| MF | 21 | Marvin Monterrosa | |||
| MF | 9 | ||||
| MF | 27 | Issac Portillo | |||
| MF | 17 | Marlon Cornejo | |||
| FW | 14 | Herbert Sosa | |||
| ST | 22 | ||||
| Substitutes: | |||||
| FW | 22 | ||||
| FW | 10 | ||||
| Manager: | |||||
| Jorge Humberto Rodriguez | |||||
| Santa Tecla F.C. | |||||
| GK | 1 | Joel Almeida | |||
| DF | 5 | Juan Barahona | |||
| DF | 23 | ||||
| DF | 19 | Bryan Tamacas | |||
| MF | 20 | Rodrigo Rivera | |||
| MF | 31 | Gerson Mayen | |||
| MF | 43 | ||||
| MF | 21 | Wilma Torres | |||
| FW | 11 | ||||
| FW | 22 | Ricardinho | |||
| FW | 7 | Elisener Quinones | |||
| Substitutes: | |||||
| MF | 10 | Jairo Herniquez | |||
| FW | 14 | Kevin Reyes | |||
| MF | 33 | Giovanni Avila | |||
| Manager: | |||||
| Christian Díaz | |||||
| No. | Player | Club | Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bladimir Diaz | 16 | ||
| 2 |  Armando Polo | 13 | ||
| 3 | Jeison Quinonez | 13 | ||
| 4 | Ricardinho | 8 | ||
| 5 | Dustin Corea | 7 | ||
| 6 | Ricardo Guevara | 7 | ||
| 7 | Juan Carlos Portillo | 7 | ||
| 8 | James Cabeszas | 6 | ||
| 9 | Oscar Ceren | Alianza | 6 | |
| 10 | David Rugamas | FAS | 6 |
Ivan Mancia for Alianza against Metapan (24 February 2019) Juan Jose Hernandez goal for Jocoro against Santa Tecla (January 24, 2019) Bladimir Diaz for Alianza against Limeno (January 20, 2019) TBA (TBD) for TBD (February 19, 2018) Dustin Corea for FAS against Firpo (March 16, 2019) Bladimir Diaz for Alianza against Limeno (January 20, 2019) Dustin Corea for FAS against Firpo (March 16, 2019) Bladimir Diaz for Alianza against Audaz (April 8, 2019) Ricardo Guevara for Aguila against Sonsonate (April 13, 2019)------------
4-4, Aguila won as highest seeded team.----Isidro Metapan won 3-2 on aggregate.----1-1, Limeno won as highest seeded team.----Alianza won 5-0 on aggregate.
----
Aguila won 4-0 on aggregate.----2-2, Alianza won as highest seeded team.
| Alianza F.C. | |||||
| GK | 1 | Víctor García | |||
| DF | 12 | ||||
| DF | 16 | ||||
| DF | 4 | Ivan Mancía | |||
| DF | 15 | ||||
| MF | 21 | Marvin Monterrosa | |||
| MF | 6 | Narciso Orellana | |||
| MF | 10 | Cristian Olivera | |||
| FW | 9 | ||||
| FW | 7 | Bladimir Diaz | |||
| FW | 11 | ||||
| Substitutes: | |||||
| FW | 22 | Diego Benitez | |||
| FW | 14 | Herbert Sosa | |||
| FW | tbd | Ezequiel Rivas | |||
| FW | 19 | Irvin Herrera | |||
| Manager: | |||||
| Jorge Humberto Rodriguez | |||||
| Aguila | |||||
| GK | 22 | Benji Villalobos | |||
| DF | 28 | Andres Quejada | |||
| DF | 3 | Ronald Rodriguez | |||
| DF | 21 | Marlon Trejo | |||
| MF | 16 | Edwin Lazo | |||
| MF | 6 | Walter Chiguila | |||
| MF | 5 | Wilson Rugamas | |||
| MF | 19 | Diego Coca | |||
| MF | 12 | ||||
| MF | 10 | Joaquin Verges | |||
| FW | 9 | ||||
| Substitutes: | |||||
| MF | 11 | Kevin Reyes | |||
| FW | 17 | Jefferson Polio | |||
| MF | 4 | Fredy Espinoza | |||
| MF | 30 |  Ricardo Guevara | |||
| Manager: | |||||
| Carlos Romero | |||||
This is a list of foreign players in the 2018–19 season. The following players:
A new rule was introduced this season, that clubs can have four foreign players per club and can only add a new player if there is an injury or a player is released and it is before the close of the season transfer window. https://www.elsalvador.com/deportes/futbol/568850/infografia-de-que-paises-vienen-los-refuerzos-extranjeros-que-juegan-en-el-salvador/
(player released during the Apertura season) (player released between the Apertura and Clausura seasons) (player released during the Clausura season)