By RYAN TOLMICH
Prior to hosting the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2016 Centennial Copa America, the United States will play host to another international tournament: the 2014 Copa Centroamericano.
The Central American Football Union (UNCAF) announced the scheduling of the seven team tournament with games scheduled to be played in Washington, D.C., Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. It’s the first time ever that the Copa Centroamericano is being held in the USA.
The seven participants will be divided into two groups, with Group A being made up of Nicaragua, Panama andWorld Cup quarterfinalist Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Group B will feature Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
The tournament will be used to determine the four automatic qualifying positions into the 2015 Gold Cup, while the fifth-placed team will play a two-leg playoff against the fifth-place team from the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup. In addition to Gold Cup qualification, the tournament’s champions will clinch a spot in the 2016 Copa America.
Check out the schedule for the 2014 Central American Cup after the jump:
Wednesday, September 3, 2014 – RFK Stadium, Washington D.C.
5:00pm Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua
7:00pm Honduras vs. Belize
9:00pm El Salvador vs. Guatemala
Sunday, September 7, 2014 – Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
5:00pm Costa Rica vs. Panama
7:00pm Guatemala vs. Belize
9:00pm Honduras vs. El Salvador
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 – BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX
6:00pm Panama vs. Nicaragua
8:00pm El Salvador vs. Belize
10:00pm Honduras vs. Guatemala
Saturday, September 13, 2014 – Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
4:00pm Third Place Group A vs. Third Place Group B
7:00pm Second Place Group A vs. Second Place Group B
10:00pm First Place Group A vs. First Place Group B
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Who do you see as favorites in the 2014 Copa Centroamericano? Plan to attend any of the games?
Share your thoughts below.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/07/schedule-announced-centroamericano.html