Alianza FC meets CD LA Firpo in Central American Cup

MIAMI — The 2024 Concacaf Central American Cup opens its third week of encounters on Tuesday, as the 20 best clubs continue to compete to be crowned champions in early December.

Three first-time encounters in the Central American Cup will take place. Salvadoran clubs Alianza and LA Firpo will meet for the first time on this stage.

Antigua GFC vs. CAI

Antigua GFC meets Club Atlético Independiente at the Pensativo Stadium in Antigua, Guatemala. The two clubs will face each other for the first time in the Central American Cup.

With one win and one draw, Antigua will look to maintain its place among the top two in Group C with its first home victory. José Ardón scored a hat-trick in the team’s opening match at Port Layola before the team drew nil-nil against CD Águila.

CAI will play its second encounter. The Panamanian side started its campaign with a 3-nil loss on the road to CD Olimpia and will look for its first victory on Tuesday.

The only time the two have faced each other in a Concacaf club tournament was during the

2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League. The teams played to a scoreless draw in regulation before Antigua advanced 4-3 on penalties in the preliminary round.

FC Motagua vs. Tauro FC

Fútbol Club Motagua faces Tauro FC at the Chelato Uclés National Stadium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This will also be a first time encounter in the Central American Cup.

FC Motagua bounced back from a loss in the first matchweek with a 3-2 home victory over San Francisco FC, thanks in part to a brace from Agustín Auzmendi. The result lifted the Honduran side to second in Group A, where it will look to stay or rise up to first.

Tauro FC will play its second match of the campaign after falling 1-nil at group leaders Herediano in the first week. Goalkeeper Alex Rodrí­guez stood out with eight saves in the opening match to keep the match within a one-goal deficit.

Motagua has gone four consecutive matches without a loss against Panamanian opponents, including last week’s win over San Francisco. The Honduran club will also look to stay unbeaten at home in the current tournament.

Alianza FC vs. LA Firpo

Alianza FC meets Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo at the Cuscatlán Stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Alianza is coming off its first match, a 1-nil loss at Comunicaciones, and will turn to its home ground for the first three points in Group B. Henry Romero will be unavailable for selection after receiving a red card in the previous match.

LA Firpo will play its first away match of the campaign but will not have to travel far. The team will be searching for its first victory and is coming off a 3-4 home defeat to defending champions LD Alajuelense. Styven Vásquez and Gustavo Souza lead the team in scoring with two goals apiece in the current edition.

The two Salvaron clubs will meet for the first time in the Central American Cup. In league play, the two sides have faced each other 213 times, with Alianza FC leading the series with 86 victories, 65 draws, to LA Firpo’s 62 wins.