 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.
