MIAMI, Florida – League A of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League continues on Friday with the opening match in Group C pitting hosts Curacao against 2019-20 CNL Finals participant Honduras at the Stadion Ergilio Hato in Willemstad, Curacao.
It will be the first ever CNL meeting between these two sides, who each competed in League A in the previous edition in 2019-20, but it will be the 12th all-time match in what has historically been a very even series, with four wins for each team and three draws.
The last time Curacao and Honduras locked horns was a memorable affair at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, as Curacao emerged for a 1-0 win in Houston to claim their first ever Gold Cup victory.
Leandro Bacuna was the hero that day for the Caribbean side with a goal and he will be out to reprise that role in Friday’s clash. Also, back in the mix is Elson Hooi, who led Curacao in scoring in the 2019-20 CNL with two goals.
Curacao will also be bolstered by the presence of veteran GK Eloy Room, who is enjoying a superb season in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Columbus Crew SC.
New Honduras Head Coach and former Motagua manager Diego Vazquez will turn to some familiar faces to provide the attacking spark, namely FW Romell Quioto and MF Kevin Lopez who each found the back of the net in Honduras’ Concacaf World Cup Qualifying campaign.
After reaching last summer’s CNL Finals in Denver, Colorado, three points in Curacao would go a long way to helping Honduras’ hopes of a second straight CNL Finals appearance.
