1932. A hush fell over the Parque Federico Omar Saroldi. This wasn’t the usual roar of the crowd. It was a silence heavy with shock and grief. River Plate’s goalkeeper, Federico Omar Saroldi, lay injured on the field. A tragic incident during a heated match against Central F.C. had dealt a devastating blow. The Parque Federico Omar Saroldi, then known as Olimpia Park, became a place of mourning.
The Parque Federico Omar Saroldi stands in the El Prado neighborhood of Montevideo. It is the home of River Plate, a Uruguayan football club steeped in history and passion. Originally, the stadium belonged to Olimpia, one of the two clubs that merged to form River Plate. The other club was Capurro. Until that fateful day in 1932, the stadium bore the name Olimpia Park.
Saroldi, River Plate’s first goalkeeper, was a beloved figure. His dedication and skill had earned him the respect of fans and rivals alike. The impact of his injury resonated deeply within the River Plate community. The loss was so profound that the club decided to rename the stadium in his honor. Olimpia Park became the Parque Federico Omar Saroldi, a lasting tribute to a fallen hero.
Today, the Parque Federico Omar Saroldi boasts a capacity of 5,165 spectators. It features four main stands: the Capurro stand, the Prado stand, the Olimpia stand, and the Aduana stand. The Capurro stand, located near the ARU (presumably the Uruguayan Rugby Union), houses a VIP box with 200 seats and the broadcasting booths. Connected to the Capurro stand is the Prado stand, originally a grassy embankment but now equipped with concrete benches. The Olimpia and Aduana stands accommodate visiting fans. Interestingly, the Aduana stand used to be a separate standing-room-only area, but renovations in 1996 connected it to the Olimpia stand, adding concrete benches for seating.
The Parque Federico Omar Saroldi isn’t just a football stadium. It’s a piece of Uruguayan football history. A place where joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, have played out on the same field. Its unique location in El Prado puts it in close proximity to two other prominent football grounds: Parque Viera, home to Montevideo Wanderers, and Parque Nasazzi, home to Bella Vista. This cluster of stadiums makes El Prado a true hub for football enthusiasts. The Parque Federico Omar Saroldi stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Uruguayan football, forever linked to the memory of Federico Omar Saroldi.