[COPA CENTROAMERICANA] The countdown to the Hexagonal began in earnest for the three Central American entrants with the start of the 2013 Copa Centroamericana in Costa Rica. Honduras, which faces the USA in the opening game of the Hexagonal in two weeks, opened with a 1-1 tie with El Salvador.

New England's Jerry Bengtson, one of four MLS players in the starting lineup, scored for Honduras, but the Catrachos had to settle for a 1-1 tie with El Salvador.

Defender Victor Bernardez (San Jose) and midfielders Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston) and Mario Martinez (Seattle) also started for Honduras, which plays Panama on Tuesday.

Jairo Arrieta (Columbus) had the lone goal for host Costa Rica in its 1-0 win over Belize in its opener. Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake) is the Tico captain.

Group A:
RESULTS:
Jan. 18
Guatemala 1 Nicaragua 1
Costa Rica 1 Belize 0
Jan. 20
Guatemala 0 Belize 0

SCHEDULE:
Jan. 20
Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua
Jan. 22
Belize vs. Nicaragua
Costa Rica vs. Guatemala

STANDINGS:
PTS TEAM W-T-L
3 Costa Rica 1-0-0
2 Guatemala 0-2-0
1 Nicaragua 0-0-1
1 Belize 0-1-1

Group B:
RESULTS:
Jan. 18
Guatemala 1 Nicaragua 1

SCHEDULE:
Jan. 20
El Salvador vs. Panama
Jan. 22
Honduras vs. Panama 1

STANDINGS:
PTS TEAM W-T-L
1 Honduras 0-1-0
1 El Salvador 0-1-0
0 Panama 0-0-0