Guayaquil City enters the closing stretch of the 2026 campaign with a shot at a Copa Sudamericana berth, a goal that wasn’t on the radar after its recent return to Serie A.
Daniel Viteri, assistant coach of Pool Gavilánez Solís, told EL UNIVERSO he reviewed the year, praised the sporting and institutional stability that lets the side compete at the top level, and outlined their preparation for the challenge.
This Saturday, the citizens face Leones FC at Ibarra’s Olímpico Stadium, fighting for Ecuador’s last 2027 Copa Sudamericana slot.
How does he assess the season with Guayaquil City?
It’s tough coming up from the B division. We managed to keep a core for two straight years, which gave us the stability to reach A and stay competitive. We’ve been a strong side.
Was a Sudamericana spot ever imagined?
I think the primary aim was simply to stay in A, which proved hard but we achieved it. The dream revived—to see the club back in Sudamericana. My final season before retiring was spent there, and as the tournament unfolds we target that final like a championship. Football is results‑driven; many label outcomes as failure or success, yet I’d say we’ve already enjoyed a sizable share of success. In my view, that mindset fuels their drive.
How difficult will it be to keep that foundation for 2027?
We have a solid core, about 70‑80% of players under contract with the club and several years left. It wasn’t built overnight; we planned it years ago.
How have Miller Bolaños and Diego Dorregaray settled in?
Miller feels at home; he briefly left for Emelec but always knew Guayaquil City was his base. Dorregaray debuted with the club when it was River Ecuador, so he adapts quickly, already known by teammates. Miller is familiar with the squad.
What drives the rise of successful sports projects?
Football now adapts to current demands: professionalism across the board and a solid structure are essential to avoid relegation and disappearance. That raises the league’s competitiveness; I’m glad newly promoted teams bring proper frameworks.
Will the club preserve its core for the 2027 campaign?