 At the 2003 UNCAF Nations Cup , hosted in Panama , El Salvador managed to get third place again , with Juan Ramón Paredes as head coach . In the tournament El Salvador won against Panama 2 – 1 , lost against Costa Rica 0 – 1 , defeated Nicaragua 3 – 0 , defeated Honduras 1 – 0 , and lost against Guatemala 0 – 2 . They qualified for the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup alongside Guatemala and Costa Rica ( Honduras went to the playoffs ) . Costa Rica won the tournament ( the fourth time they 'd done so . ) At the 2003 Gold Cup El Salvador was drawn into Group C with Martinique and the United States . El Salvador lost to the United States 0 – 2 in their first match on July 11 . However , in their second , played on July 16 , they defeated Martinique 1 – 0 with a goal from defender Marvin González ( 76 ' . ) For the second time , they had advanced to the quarter @-@ finals of a Gold Cup , this time to face Costa Rica . On July 19 , they lost the match 2 – 5 . Three of the seven goals were penalty kicks . Thus , El Salvador went out in the quarter @-@ finals again . 
