Unbeatable and sober. This is what the FBC Melgar goalkeeper looked like Carlos Caceda during the penalty shootout to defend the domino. Undeterred, he saved three shots, a rare feat for goalkeepers, but tonight he succeeded. Now more than ever, Red-Black fans are demanding that he be called up to the Peru team. But who is Caceda?
Carlos Caceda Two years ago he turned down offers from clubs in Bolivia and the US and decided to stay at FBC Melgar. Today he is one of the speakers of the red-black club. It holds a record that the fan applauds.
The Melgarian goalkeeper has played more than 100 games with the Arequipa team. For this reason, the board paid tribute to him in his 101st game against Atlético Grau. A painting was given to the porter a red and black jersey with the number 100 in the back. People gave him a standing ovation that evening at the Monumental Stadium in Arequipa.
In the history of the Mistiano representative there are goalkeepers who have left their mark. Such is the case of the goalkeeper of the 1981 champion, Emilio Campana, who reached 160 games and Arnaldo Suclla, who added 107.
Cáceda made his professional debut in 2008 with Alianza Sullana. He then spent eight seasons at the Universitario de Deportes. In 2018 he joined Deportivo Municipal. He also went through the Red Sharks of Mexico and Real Garcilaso of Cusco. As of 2019, he wears the silks of the Melgarian outfit.
He has been a key element for FBC Melgar to have good campaigns in the South American Cup and Premier League. One of his best performances came in 2020 when he saved a penalty against Nacional Potosí in Bolivia, which later gave his team victory. In 2021 he cut everything. Melgar finished second behind Paranaense of Brazil.
Due to card accumulations and exclusions, he was substituted on three times by the youthful Jorge Cabezudo. What he remembers most is the red one he saw earlier River Plate of Uruguay in Montevideo. Cáceda avoided the locals’ goal by taking the ball outside his box. Eventually, that signing was won by Melgar with a goal from Archimbaud.
The fan has criticized him on many occasions, but on others he could see his efforts and his identification with Arequipa.
He was not called up for the national team
It has caused a lot of anger that he was not called up to the Peru team while he was having a great season at this year’s Copa Sudamericana. He was replaced by Ángelo Campos, who conceded eight goals against Argentinian River Plate in the Copa Libertadores.
This year, Dominoes has not relinquished their Copa Sudamericana and Liga 1 commitments; Also, they didn’t concede a goal for the Peru tournament at home. The Red and Black side are unbeatable with good football in all their lines and with a goalkeeper like Cáceda who inspires security and confidence. He has a contract with Melgar until the end of the year.