MIAMI, Florida – Week two of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup kicks off on Tuesday with a trio of games and regional giants Alajuelense of Costa Rica and Honduran club Olimpia in action.

Things will start at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize where Verdes will host Alajuelense in Group D. Verdes suffered a 5-0 loss to Motagua to start the tournament, while Alajuelense were 1-0 winners over Olancho.

Verdes will be looking to get back on track on the attacking end and will turn to the likes of Krisean Lopez and Edwin Villeda for a spark. Both players scored in last season’s Concacaf League, while Villeda also added an assist.

Alajuelense got a goal last week from rising star Aaron Suarez, who now already has five goals in only 15 international games.

Helping the cause was veteran Michael Barrantes, who seemingly covered every blade of grass in taking two shots, making two clearances, recovering a ball and completing 18 passes. Experienced MF Celso Borges was his usual impeccable self, with 50 completed passes.

Things then shift to Group A for a battle between Guatemala’s Coban Imperial and Universitario of Panama at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Four different players etched their names onto the scoresheet in Coban Imperial’s impressive 4-1 win at Jocoro of El Salvador to open the tournament last week. Meanwhile, Universitario will be playing in their first match and returning to Concacaf competition for the first time since the 2021 Concacaf League.

Anthony Lopez played a key role for Coban Imperial with a goal and an assist, while Luis Martinez was a menace with a goal and four shots taken.

Universitario will be leaning on players like Jair Catuy, Luis Choy and Erick Rodriguez. Catuy and Choy have ample Concacaf experience having played in the Concacaf League with various Panamanian clubs, while Rodriguez has three goals in 16 games this season in Panama’s domestic league.

The night ends with what should be a sizzler between Real Esteli of Nicaragua and Olimpia at the Estadio Independencia in Esteli, Nicaragua in Group B.

Real Esteli sit atop the group with three points after downing Xelaju 1-0, while Olimpia are in second following a 1-1 draw against Independiente.

These two sides met in the group stage of the 2013-14 Concacaf Champions Cup, with Olimpia winning both contests 1-0, including one at the Estadio Independencia.

Real Esteli will aim for their first win against Olimpia and can count on Arley Bonilla and Harold Medina in attack. Bonilla scored the winning goal against Xelaju, while Medina supplied the assist.

Olimpia always fancy their chances in any match and boast an attack that ranks as one of the best in the region. Jorge Benguche scored the goal against Independiente thanks to some playmaking from fellow forward Yustin Arboleda.

Jose Pinto is another player who can make the difference for the Catracho club with his ability to create scoring chances and make inch-perfect passes.