MIAMI, Florida – The fourth week of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup continues on Wednesday with another three-match slate, highlighted by the middle match of the evening between Panama’s Universitario and three-time Concacaf champions Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in a Group A affair at the Estadio Universitario in Penonome, Panama.

CD Universitario vs. Deportivo Saprissa

These two teams are nestled at the top of the group, with Saprissa on six points and Universitario right behind with four points.

CD Universitario were very impressive in their outing last week, topping Jocoro 4-1 with four goals in the final 18 minutes. Everardo Rose played a big role in that triumph, with two goals and an assist, while Erick Rodriguez also supplied a goal and an assist.

Saprissa had the week off but they will be keen to make it three wins from three games, having registered clean sheet wins in their first two matches.

The Costa Ricans have gotten strong contributions from the trio of David Guzman, Ariel Rodriguez and Jefferson Brenes. Rodriguez had a brace in the 4-0 win over Jocoro, while Brenes had a goal and an assist in that encounter. Guzman leads the team in shots taken with 11 and had an assist as well against Jocoro.

How did they perform in their local leagues over the weekend?

In the Panamanian Football League (LPF), CD Universitario secured a 1-0 victory over San Francisco in the West Group, bringing them to 8 points on the table of six teams.

In the Costa Rican First Division, Deportivo Saprissa recovered from a 0-1 deficit to ultimately defeat Cartaginés 2-1, with goals from Ariel Rodríguez (penalty) and Youstin Salas. Deportivo Saprissa leads the table with 12 points.

Match Officials
Referee: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)
AR1 Walter López (HON)
AR2 Christian Ramírez (HON)
4th Official Jefferson Escobar (HON) 

CD Aguila vs. Comunicaciones FC 

The third and final match of the night will feature a very important Group C affair between Aguila of El Salvador and Guatemalan stalwarts Comunicaciones at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Comunicaciones are second in the group with six points through two matches, while Aguila are on the hunt in third place with three points from two games. A win for the hosts may see them squeeze past the Chapines into that coveted second place spot.

History suggests, though, it will take some doing. In 13 all-time matches between the two clubs, Comunicaciones have nine wins and four draws, meaning Aguila are still searching for their first victory in the series, albeit their last meeting coming back in 1983.

Aguila got a huge lift in their last match, a 1-0 win against Diriangen in which Darwin Ceren score the winning goal in second half stoppage time. Ceren might have been the hero, but the workhorse was MF and captain Gerson Mayen, who has completed 79 passes in the tournament.

Antonio Lopez has been the main man up top for Comunicaciones, with a goal and two assists, while Stheven Robles has provided a motor in the middle of the park, making five ball recoveries. Credit should also go to Jorge Aparicio, who leads the team in completed passes (89).

How did they perform in their local leagues over the weekend?

In the Salvadoran League, CD Águila triumphed 5-1 over Dragón on Sunday, with four goals from Carlos Andrés Salazar and another from Darwin Cerén. With this victory, CD Águila collected six points, sharing the top spot with Alianza, Firpo, and Once Deportivo.

In the Guatemalan National League, Comunicaciones FC drew 1-1 away against Coatepeque over the weekend. Jorman Aguilar scored the goal for Comunicaciones FC. They are in the second position in Group A of six teams with 5 points, while Malacateco leads with 12 points.

Match Officials
Referee: Keylor Herrera (CRC)
AR1 Carlos Fernández (CRC)
AR2 Víctor Ramírez (CRC)
4th Official José Ugalde (CRC) 

Olancho FC vs. Verdes FC

The evening will start off two teams eager for their first win in Group D, as Honduran side Olancho host Verdes of Belize at the Estadio Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Neither side has found the back of the net yet, but Olancho have been good defensively, giving up just two goals in their two games. Angel Tejeda has two career Concacaf goals and would love to add a third for Olancho.

Verdes will look to be stronger in the back, while leaning on the likes of Krisean Lopez and Joel Burgos going forward. Lopez has four shots taken thus far, while Burgos completed 43 passes in the team’s previous match against Sporting San Miguelito.

How did they perform in their local leagues over the weekend?

Olancho FC did not play during the weekend in the Honduras Apertura Tournament and is tied for the top spot with 7 points alongside CD Olimpia, which also didn't play.

Verdes FC enters the Wednesday match with motivation after securing their first victory in the Belize Premier League, winning 4-2 against their rival Wagiya. Nicolas Rocha scored a brace, Krisean López, and Jordy Polanco contributed with one goal respectively.

Match Officials

Referee: Oliver Vergara (PAN)
AR1 José Antonio Mangandi (SLV)
AR2 Geovany García (SLV)
4th Official Waldir García (SLV)