MIAMI – The 2024 Central American Cup continues with its third week of competition on Wednesday, as the 20 best clubs compete to be crowned champions early in December.
The match day kicks off and closes out with two first-time encounters in the tournament, with C.D. Águila taking on Port Layola FC and Comunicaciones FC meeting CD Marathón. The match day will also feature a Nicaraguan matchup between Real Estelí FC and Managua FC.
C.D. Águila vs. Port Layola FC
To open the match day, C.D. Águila meets Port Layola FC at the Estadio Las Delicias in Santa Tecla, El Salvador.
C.D. Águila will be playing their second match in the 2024 edition of the Central American Cup. The Salvadoran side will aim to record its first win in the competition after a goalless draw against Antigua GFC in the team’s opening match.
Port Layola FC, the current champions of the Belize Premier League, will be looking to bounce back after falling 4-1 to Antigua and 6-1 against CD Olimpia in their first two encounters. Rene Leslie scored against Antigua and Andrés Orozco against Olimpia.
For Águila, it will be the first match in official Concacaf club tournaments against a Belizean side. At the same time, Port Layola will face a Salvadorian opponent for the first time in its history.
Real Estelí FC vs. Managua FC
Nicaraguan clubs Real Estelí FC and Managua FC face off at the Estadio Independencia in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Real Estelí will be in search of earning their first win after a 1-1 draw at CSD Municipal. Runners-up in the inaugural edition, Real Estelí will aim to extend their positive home record after winning four of five all-time in the Central American Cup.
After kicking off the group stage with two home fixtures, Managua FC will head on the road for the first time. The club earned a 1-0 win over Municipal before a 3-2 loss against Deportivo Saprissa.
This encounter will be the first between Nicaraguan clubs in the Central American Cup. The two have met 89 times in the Nicaraguan league, with Real Estelí winning 48 times, Managua 18 times, and 23 draws.
Comunicaciones FC vs. CD Marathón
The final game of the matchday will feature Comunicaciones FC against CD Marathón at the Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala City. Outside the Central American Cup, the two have registered one win each and two draws.
Comunicaciones will aim to remain undefeated in the 2024 edition after earning a 1-1 draw away at Luis Angel Firpo and defeating Alianza FC 1-0 at home. The 1978 Concacaf Champions Cup winners and the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf League champions have not lost in their last four Central American Cup fixtures.
On the other hand, CD Marathón aims to bounce back quickly after falling 3-nil against LD Alajuelense in their first 2024 Central American Cup match.
