For the thirteenth edition of the Copa Centroamericana (formerly UNCAF Nations Cup) and the twenty-five years of existence of the UNCAF, the UNCAF designates [pays:13]the United States as host country. It is the first time that the Copa Centroamericana will take place off Central America. That decision is due in large part to economic reasons.
To accommodate all of the competitive matches, 4 stages were selected on American soil. The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington D.C (19,467 spectators capacity), the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston will host all the matches of the first round, while the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a capacity of 93,607 spectators, will be the stage for fifth place, third place, and the final of the Copa Centroamericana 2014.
Seven national teams of Central America are participating in the Copa Centroamericana 2014, teams being divided into two groups for the first round. Unlike past editions, the competition format offers no semi-finals, the third in each group will play the fifth-place of the competition, the latter vie for the third place in the tournament, and the final will be the meeting between the first of each group.
In Group A, Costa Rica gives its title at stake. After a last World Cup 2014 totally successful, where los Ticos reached the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in their history, playing football full of envy and nice to look at, Costa Rica come back in "its competition" like favorite, having already won the Copa Centroamericana seven times. Facing him, the Panama wants to repeat its performance of 2011 (winner of the tournament) and especially to be forgiven the elimination in the first round of the last edition. Third team of the group, the Nicaragua, for its 10th participation in Copa Centroamericana, aims to pass the first round of the competition for the first time in its history.
In Group B, the Honduras shares favorite. Also present at the Brazil World Cup, the Honduras, in contrast to Costa Rica, can boast of its internationalist course (3 defeats in three matches, 8 goals conceded to only 1 marked). But la H, in Copa Centroamericana, is three-time champion of the competition, participated in six finals, and intends to expand its list of a fourth sacred. Another former champion of the tournament in 2001, since this period the Guatemala is struggling to become the great outsider of the competition. But there is no doubt that the men of Ivan Franco Sopegno will have in heart beat forecasts and well be included in the tournament. Constant selection in Copa Centroamericana, the Salvador has almost always reached the semi-finals of the competition, but still missing that little something to Selecta to permanently switch in the restricted circle of the finalists of the competition. This edition may be right for the partners of Darwin Ceren. Finally, after having reached for the first time in its history a semi-final in Copa Centroamericana, Belize wants still more, and like the Panama a few years ago, the Jaguars hope to win a place in the final, and why not add his name to the list of Copa Centroamericana.
The best four selections of the tournament will qualify for the next Gold Cup 2015, the fifth team will participate in a dam against the fifth of the Caribbean Cup of nations 2014 for qualification for the Gold Cup 2015.
The winner of the Copa Centroamericana 2014 will qualify for the Copa América Centenario, which will be held in 2016 to the United States, outstanding tournament which will celebrate 100 years of the competition and which will bring together 16 selections of CONMEBOL.
