CONCACAF.com summarizes a weekend of domestic league action across the Central American region:
NICARAGUA
Defending champion Real Esteli took a giant step towards the final of the Nicaraguan Apertura by beating Walter Ferretti on the road in Managua, while Managua FC leapt into a tie for second place in the semifinal table with a win over Juventus.
The Tren del Norte had trailed Managua side Ferretti coming into match day 4 of the semifinal round robin, but a convincing 2-0 win changed that state of affairs. Samuel Wilson and Wilber Sanchez scored for the visitors, who pulled clear at the top of the table with eight points.
In the weekend's other match, Managua FC ended up level with Ferretti on seven points, after the Blue Lions saw off a stiff challenge from Juventus, 2-1, thanks to goals from Erick Sierra and Remy Vanegas. Walter Ferretti and Managua FC will now square off next week in a match with huge implications for reaching the final.
PANAMA
Arabe Unido made quick work of Plaza Amador in the away leg of the two teams' semifinal match in Panama, putting the Colon side on the inside track to a finals spot.
Plaza Amador hadn't beaten Arabe Unido in fourteen tries over the last three years, and Friday night's match at Rommel Fernandez would prove no different, with the visitors cruising to a 3-1 win.
Arabe Unido was up a pair by halftime, after Jose Gonzalez and Abdiel Arroyo scored early goals. Temistocles Perez cut the lead for the "Team of the People," before Arroyo tacked on a third late. The decisive match will be played Saturday in Colon.
Chepo and Rio Abajo are yet to face off in the other semifinal, after their Sunday evening clash in Panama City was suspended due to lightning and strong rains in the area. The game has been reprogrammed for Monday evening.
HONDURAS
Motagua was the standout performer in the first leg of the play-in round of the Honduran Liguilla, soundly defeating Real España in San Pedro Sula, while Atletico Choloma and Marathon left it all to play for in the second leg.
The visiting Eagles looked every bit like the home team in San Pedro, as Reynaldo Clavasquin's side cruised to an opening match victory. Motagua was up by three just 22 minutes in, with goals from Amado Guevara, David Molina, and Daniel Tejeda. Luis Lobo cut into that lead momentarily just before halftime, but Nery Medina scored in the 56th minute to make the final score 4-1, and send the Blues back to Tegucigalpa with a huge advantage.
In Choloma, Edwin Pavon's side proved as hard as ever to top at home, but the scoreless draw with Marathon may not completely satisfy. To crash the semifinal party, Atletico Choloma will now need win, or at least tie while scoring a goal or more, on the road Wednesday in San Pedro Sula.
GUATEMALA
The leaders cruised to victory once again, as Comunicaciones saw off visiting Suchitepequez, 4-0, securing the top spot in the Guatemalan Liguilla with a match still to play in the regular season. Diego Estrada, Jose Contreras, Kendell Herrarte and Bryan Orodonez all scored for the Cremas.
Second-place Municipal fought back for a share of the points in a 2-2 draw with Heredia at Morales, which left both teams firmly in control of top-half seeds in the playoff race.
Elsewhere, Malacateco thumped Petapa, 5-0, securing a post-season berth, while Halcones moved to fourth with a 1-0 win over Marquense, taking advantage of now fifth-placed Xelaju's 2-2 draw with Universidad in Guatemala City.
In Saturday's match, Juventud Escuintla beat Deportivo Mictlan at home, 3-0, leaving all five teams placed eighth through twelfth in the table - Petapa, Universidad, Escuintla, Marquense and Mictlan - still alive to fight for the final playoff spot on the last regular season date, set for next weekend.
COSTA RICA
Alajuelense and Limon were the big winners over the weekend, as La Liga pulled even on points at the top of the table, and Limon took a giant step towards qualifying for the semifinals.
Los Manudos pulled away from visiting Puntarenas, winning 3-1 with help from goals by Armando Alonso, Pablo Gabas and Cristian Oviedo. The win brought Alajuelense level on points at the top with Saprissa. The Purple Monster could only manage a 2-2 tie with Santos, which climbed to fifth.
Santos' gain was Perez Zeledon's loss, after Limon topped the Southern Warriors 2-1, on a Myron George header in second half added time, which put the Caribbean side on track to make the semifinals.
Rounding out the calendar, third-place Herediano played to a scoreless tie with Belen, San Carlos lost at home to Carmelita, 2-0, and Uruguay kept its playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 win at Cartagines.
EL SALVADOR
With one round to go in El Salvador, all four playoff spots are wrapped up after the top four, Isidro Metapan, Alianza, Aguila and FAS, all won over the weekend.
Metapan maintains a two-point lead at the top after a hard fought 1-0 home win over Atletico Marte. Milton Molina made the difference with a 55th minute goal.
Alianza and Aguila both sit on 31 points, two back of the leader. Aguila won at Santa Tecla, 3-1, with goals from Walter Soto, William Osael Romero and Darwin Bonilla. Alianza followed form, as Nelson Bonilla and Sean Fraser scored in a 2-0 win over Juventud Independiente.
FAS secured the fourth and final playoff spot with a 3-1 win at Once Municipal. An early double by Ricardo Ulloa sent the Tigers on their way. Elsewhere, Luis Angel Firpo won 3-2 over UES to maintain the fifth position, but given results elsewhere the Bulls were nevertheless eliminated from playoff contention.
