Outlining that theme, defending Guatemalan champion Xelajú and runner-up Municipal reaped differing results over the weekend.
Xelaju fell victim to strikes from Guatemalan national teamers Dwight Pezzarossi and Jairo Arreola in dropping a 2-0 decision on the road to Comunicaciones.The Super Chivos, who host DirecTV W Connection on Tuesday in CCL play, are still in the thick of the fight for a playoff place, in the seventh spot with 15 points from 11 matches.
Municipal edged Universidad San Carlos, 1-0, thanks to a brilliant individual effort from second half sub Yosimar Arias in a game played at Estadio Mateo Flores.The win left the Rojos on the heels of rival Comunicaciones, three points off the lead in second place in the Guatemalan top flight.
Across the border in El Salvador, in a battle of CCL participants, Isidro Metapan posted a 3-2 win overvisiting Aguila.Ricardo de Lima put Aguila ahead early, but Metapan scored three unanswered before the visitors added a second from the penalty spot deep into second half injury time.
With the win, Metapan climbs to second, leaving Aguila tied for third on 14 points after 8 rounds.Right behind them in fifth place is FAS, which tied away to top flight newcomers Santa Tecla, 2-2.Metapan has this week off from CCL play, while Aguila hosts Mexican defending champion Santos Laguna on Wednesday.FAS embarks on a tough road trip to Houston to take on MLS side Dynamo on Thursday night.
In Honduras, both CCL participants fared well, though, Olimpia and Marathon find themselves at opposite ends of the league table after nine rounds.Olimpia cruised past Vida, 3-0, cementing its place atop the league.The Lions have this week off from CCL play.
Marathon, under new coach Manuel Keosseian, won a league match for the first time since mid August and climbed out of the cellar with a narrow 1-0 win over Deportes Savio on the road in Santa Rosa de Copan.A ninth minute strike from Mario Berrios would prove enough for the Green Monster, which now returns to San Pedro Sula for a crucial CCL match on Wednesday evening against the visiting Seattle Sounders.
Further south, Real Esteli played host Juventus de Managua to a scoreless draw.Nicaragua's lone CCL representative will host Mexican side Tigres Tuesday in what amounts to a final chance to climb back into Group 6.
In Panama, Chorrillo tied Arabe Unido, 1-1 -- the club's fourth draw on the trot -- ahead of a midweek trip to Guatemala to face Municipal in Group 7 CCL action.Chorrillo opened the scoring in the 52nd minute through Renan Addles, but Juan Carlos Carvajal equalized for the visitors 13 minutes later.
Second-place Tauro got two goals from Edwin Aguilar, but conceded a late equalizer to Chepo FC.The Panama City side will now set its sights on its own CCL game, at home against Real Salt Lake on Tuesday evening.
