 The same format as the 1997 and 1999 editions was used at the 2001 UNCAF Nations Cup , hosted in Honduras . In the first round , El Salvador was drawn into a group with Honduras , Nicaragua , and Panama . El Salvador topped the group , defeating Nicaragua 3 – 0 , Panama 2 – 1 , and tying Honduras 1 – 1 . In the second and final round they drew all their games to finish in third and advance to the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup . They were coached by Carlos Recinos . Guatemala won the tournament for the first time . El Salvador was still coached by Recinos for the 2002 Gold Cup . They were drawn into Group A alongside Guatemala and Mexico . El Salvador lost to Mexico 0 – 1 , but defeated Guatemala 1 – 0 , with a goal from Santos Cabrera ( 58 ' . ) For the first time they advanced to the quarter @-@ finals of a Gold Cup . On January 27 , they lost to eventual champions United States by a score of 0 – 4 . 
