The 2014 Copa Centroamericana kicked off Wednesday, and it is being played for the first time in the United States. Click here for a preview of Wednesday's action and check below for recaps of the evening's action at RFK Stadium, and be sure to check up on FutbolMLS.com's Copa Centroamericana homepage for the latest information on the tournament.
Costa Rica 3, Nicaragua 0
Costa Rica started life after an unforgettable World Cup in a winning way, comfortably topping Nicaragua in the opening match of the 2014 Centroamericana.
As expected, much of the game was played in Nicaragua's half, though it took until the end of the first half for the Ticos to break through. Nicaragua's Medardo Martinez was whistled for a handball in the area, and Costa Rica's Celso Borges made no mistake from the spot in the 39th minute.
Costa Rica, who did not use Portland Timbers winger Rodney Wallace in the encounter, netted a second just after halftime thanks to a fine left-footed effort from World Cup veteran Marcos Ureña in the 49th minute. Substitute Johan Venegas added to the lead five minutes from time with a free header at the back post.
Honduras 2, Belize 0
Honduras began their recovery from a disappointing summer in Brazil by dispatching Belize 2-0 in the second game of the night in the US capital.
A pair of own goals from Belize players Jeromy James and Elroy Smith in the first half would prove to be all the Catrachos needed to overcome the side that qualified for its first Gold Cup just last year. The Hondurans were comfortably the better team, outshooting their opponents 25-9 as they kicked off Group B play on a positive note.
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Johnny Leveron and former Seattle Sounder Mario Martinez started the game for Honduras, with Leveron going the full 90 on the backline and Martinez going 76 minutes and picking up a yellow card.
El Salvador 1, Guatemala 2
It was the Seattle Sounders show on both sides of the continent on Wednesday night.
With his club teammates filling the nets in Los Angeles, Marco Pappa made sure he wasn't left out. The Rave Green midfielder bagged both goals for La Bicolor in their 2-1 win over noisy neighbors El Salvador in the nightcap at RFK.
Pappa got his first by going low to the near post midway through the first half, then added what would prove to be the game-winner in the 64th minute, his seventh and eighth goals in international competition. El Salvador's lone goal came from Minnesota United forward Rafael Burgos, who beat Guatemala's Ricardo Jerez in the 69th minute to set up a tense and testy finish.
