Belize
Belize has the Belize Premier Football League. This league is brand new compared to the other Leagues in Central America. The league started in 1991. There is no real power house since the league is still in its infancy. The Premier Division has 8 clubs. The league starts in September and ends the next year in January. Thelast Champion is Belize Defense Force. This is their 3rd title. Belize is the only English speaking nation and I find their web site pathetic. It does not have any updated info on the league of the games.
Playoff: The top 4 nations play 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 in a home and away series. Then the final 2 have a home and away series to determine the winner. I had high hopes for Belize to compete but even the administration is wretched. My time is too valuable to cater to them. www.belizefootball.bz. Belize playoff mimics Hondurases.
Costa Rica
The Premiera Division de Costa Rica is their top league. Costa Rica has 12 clubs in their top division which is the same as Guatemala(these are the biggest leagues). There are 3 main clubs in Saprissa, Alajuelense and Herediano. All have over 20 titles to their name. The next best only has 6 Championships.
Playoff: This country has the most clubs in the playoff with 8. 1 vs 8 2 v 7. ect. The final is a home and away. The last final was won by LD Alaguelense. Alaguelense vs.Herediano. Presently there are 4 clubs left. Saprissa just won the first leg over San Carlos 2-1. The other semi final is between Herediano and Alajuelense. Herediano won the first game 4-2.
El Salvador
They play in the Premiers Division (El Salvador). There are 10 clubs in the top division. This country has a nice mix of balanced teams. FAS has the most Titles with 17.
Playoff: The top 4 make the playoffs 1v 4 and 2 v 3. The final however is a single game at Cuscatalan. Each clubs fans descend on the Capitol to see the final. This is like The Superdome in La. This playoff mimics Panama’s. The semi-finals are this week between Alianza the top seed against 4th seed Louis Angel Firpo. the other semi-finals are FAS against #rd place finished Isidro Metapan. The games are the 30th.
Guatemala
The top 6 make the playoffs. Guatemala is different since the top 2 get a bye to the semi finals. I like this since it rewards the teams that played well throughout the year. Municapal 1, Heredia 2, Communications 3, Mictlan 4, Malacateco 5 and Penarol 6. are the seeds.
The playoffs have just started in Guatemala
Honduras
The league was found in 1964. Honduras and 10 clubs in their top division. Olimpia use to dominate winning 23 Championships however Montagua(11Champioonships) in Tegulsigalpa and Real Espana(10) and Marathon(8) are on equal footing.
Playoffs: Top 4 make the playoffs 1 v 4 and 2 v3.in a home and away. Then the 2 finalist play a home and away. The final 4 are Marathon v Olimpia and Vida v Montagua. The playoff are this week. This playoff mimics Belize.
Nicaragua
The league was found in 1933 but has been pathetic. The league presently has 10 Clubs and it does have regulation. Diriangen FC is their super power winning 26 Championships. Next is Real Esteli w/ only 9.
Playoffs: This playoff has a group of 4 play home/away. Then the 2 top play home and away to determine the winner. This is something a little different. Their Final will be in May. Presently Walter Ferreti, Deportivo Ocotal, Real Esteli FC and of course Diriangen are the final 4.
Panama
This is a new league started in 1988. Panama has 10 clubs in its top division.
Playoff: The top 4 make the playoffs. 1 v 4 and 2 v 3.The final is now a 1 game knockout game for all the marbles and is now played in Estadio Rommell in Panama City. This playoff mimics El Salvadors
