Olimpia, Comunicaciones Begin Central American Cup journeys

MIAMI, Florida – The first round of matches in the group stage of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup continues on Wednesday with the likes of Olimpia, Comunicaciones and Motagua all in action.

1972 and 1988 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2017 and 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League winners Olimpia start their Central American Cup journey against Independiente of Panama in Group B at the Estadio Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Olimpia have an astounding 39 previous Champions Cup appearances and will be targeting a 40^th with a deep run in this tournament, relying on the midfield wizardry of Jose Pinto and Jorge Alvarez.

Independiente are no strangers to Concacaf competition, having appeared recently in the 2021 Concacaf League and 2019 Champions Cup. Jefferson Murillo and Carlos Small help make up a squad that will be seeking to go toe-to-toe with one of the top clubs in Central America.

Match Officials CD Olimpia (HON) vs Club Atlético Independiente (PAN)

REF:         FILIBERTO MARTINEZ (El Salvador)

AR1:         JOSE ANTONIO MANGANDI (El Salvador)

AR2:         CARLOS VARGAS (El Salvador)

4TH:         SERGIO REYNA (Guatemala)

Verdes FC vs. FC Motagua

The first-ever meeting between Verdes of Belize and Honduran side Motagua will take place in Group D at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.

Three-time Concacaf League finalists Motagua are targeting a third straight Champions Cup qualification, while Verdes are appearing in Concacaf competition for the fourth straight year after appearing in the last three editions of the Concacaf League.

Verdes qualified for the Central American Cup as champion of the last two domestic seasons in Belize and made history a year ago when they eliminated El Salvador’s Platense in the Concacaf League Preliminary Round, the first time a club from Belize had won a Concacaf League series.

Motagua bulked up in the offseason, adding Agustin Auzmendi, who scored 23 goals in 35 games last season with Olancho. Also, in the mix now are Yeison Mejia from MLS side Sporting Kansas City and Jose Escalante from Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League.

Match Officials Verdes FC (BLZ) vs FC Motagua (HON)

REF:         JOSUE UGALDE (Costa Rica)

AR1:         WILLIAM ARRIETA (Costa Rica)

AR2:         WILLIAM CHOW (Costa Rica)

4TH:         DAVID GOMEZ (Costa Rica)

Comunicaciones FC vs Real España

1978 Champions Cup and 2021 Concacaf League winners Comunicaciones of Guatemala kick off play in Group C against Real Espana of Honduras in what should be a heavyweight battle at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City. This will be the eighth meeting between the two, the last coming in the 2008-09 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Comunicaciones have previously played in 27 editions of the Champions Cup and will look to FW Juan Anangono for an attacking spark. Anangono memorably scored four goals in the 2021 Concacaf League Final to claim Golden Boot and Golden Ball honors.

Real Espana competed in the 2023 Champions Cup and would like nothing more to make a return to the tournament for a 17^th time. 2022 Concacaf League Golden Boot winner Ramiro Rocca (6 goals) will spearhead the Real Espana attack.

Match Officials Comunicaciones FC (GUA) vs Real CD España (HON)

REF:         JOSEPH DICKERSON (USA)

AR1:         ENRIQUE BUSTOS (Mexico)

AR2:         JOSE DA SILVA (USA)

4TH:         JAIME HERRERA (El Salvador)