In an all-Central American quarterfinal in the CONCACAF Champions League on March 10, 2014, Panama's Arabe Unido (blue jersey) and Alajuelense of Costa Rica take part in the pre-game coin toss. (Photo: Imagenes en Costa Rica)
El Salvador’s FAS will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season, while a difficult match against Suchitepequez awaits Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala. CONCACAF.com previews all of the action across the Central American region.
EL SALVADOR
Following an idle weekend, the Clausura returns to action with several intriguing matches.
First-place FAS (19 points) dropped a 1-0 decision to Isidro Metapan (16 points) two weeks ago, but will hope for better on Saturday, when its hosts Juventud Independiente (15 points). The Tigers have conceded a league-low four goals in eight games and boast one of the league’s best forwards in Uruguayan Jesus Toscannini, who has netted 20 goals since the start of the 2013 Torneo Apertura.
Mepatan, which lurks in second place, will attempt to snap Santa Tecla’s four-game unbeaten streak on Saturday.
Other matches: Luis Angel Firpo-Dragon, Aguila-UES, Alianza-Atletico Marte
GUATEMALA
Despite only one win in its last four games, Universidad de San Carlos (23 points) remains in first place and will visit Suchitepequez (15 points) on Saturday. Suchitepequez is winless in four straight and had its four-game home unbeaten run snapped by Comunicaciones on March 1, 1-0.
Second-place Comunicaciones (20 points) have followed up two straight wins with a pair of ties. The Cremas will be on the road for a Sunday visit to Halcones (14 points).
Other matches: Malacateco-Mictlán, Marquense-Xelajú, Iztapa-Coatepeque, Municipal-Heredia
PANAMA
CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalist Arabe Unido (16 points) will look to regain its winning ways when it hosts Plaza Amador (17 points) on Friday. The Expreso Azul has lost two straight in the Clausura, but is coming off a confidence boosting scoreless draw at Alajuelense in the CCL’s quarterfinals on Monday.
Leader Alianza (19 points) will play at Sporting San Miguelito (16 points) on Saturday.
Other matches: Independiente-Chorrillo, Chepo-Rio Abajo, Tauro-San Francisco
HONDURAS
Real Sociedad (20 points) has an opportunity to cut the gap between itself and first-place Olimpia (25 points) on Sunday, when the Realeza faces host Platense (14 points). Olimpia lost for the first time this season, falling Thursday 2-1 to Real España (20 points). Honduras international Carlo Costly scored in the victory.
Other matches: Vida-Victoria, Motagua-Marathón, Parrillas Uno-Deportes Savio.
COSTA RICA
With a round taking place in midweek, only three games will be played over the weekend in the Verano.
Saprissa (28 points) scored three second-half goals to defeat UCR (3-0) and climb into first place, while now second-place Herediano (27 points) tied Puntarenas (1-1).
After a 0-0 draw with Panama’s Arabe Unido in the CCL quarterfinals on Monday, Alajuelense (21 points) fell to host Limon (18 points) two days later, 4-2.
Both Santos de Guapiles (18 points) and Limon can jump into the playoff zone with wins over Puntarenas (10 points) and Cartagines (15 points).
Other matches: Perez Zeledon-UCR
NICARAGUA
Walter Ferreti (28 points) will try to maintain its Clausura lead against visiting Deportivo Ocotal (8 points) on Saturday. Unbeaten Diriangen (27 points) is hot on the trail and will look for its sixth straight win a day earlier, when it hosts Managua (20 points).
Other matches: Jalapa-Chinandega, Real Madriz-Juventus Managua, San Marcos-Real Esteli
