By RYAN TOLMICH
Prior to hosting the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2016 Centennial Copa America, the United States will play host to another international tournament: the 2014 Copa Centroamericana.
The Central American Football Union announced the scheduling of the seven team tournament with games scheduled to be played in Washington, D.C., Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. It’s the first time the tournament is being held in the USA.
The seven participants will be divided into two groups, with Group A being made up of Nicaragua, Panama, and World Cup quarterfinalist Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Group B will feature Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
The tournament will be used to determine the four automatic qualifying positions into the 2015 Gold Cup, while the fifth-place team will play a two-leg playoff against the fifth-place team from the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup. In addition to Gold Cup qualification, the tournament’s champions will clinch a spot in the 2016 Copa America.
Check out the schedule for the 2014 Central American Cup after the jump:
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 – RFK Stadium, Washington D.C.
5:00 p.m. Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua
7:00 p.m. Honduras vs. Belize
9:00 p.m. El Salvador vs. Guatemala
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 – Cotton Bowl, Dallas
5:00 p.m. Costa Rica vs. Panama
7:00 p.m. Guatemala vs. Belize
9:00 p.m. Honduras vs. El Salvador
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014 – BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston
6:00 p.m. Panama vs. Nicaragua
8:00 p.m. El Salvador vs. Belize
10:00 p.m. Honduras vs. Guatemala
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 – Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
4:00 p.m. Third Place Group A vs. Third Place Group B
7:00 p.m. Second Place Group A vs. Second Place Group B
10:00 p.m. First Place Group A vs. First Place Group B
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Who do you see as favorites in the 2014 Copa Centroamericana? Plan to attend any of the games?
Share your thoughts below.