2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Mexico Open as +150 Favorites

• The 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup takes place from June 15 – July 7, 2019
• Mexico opened as tournament favorites at odds of +150
• The USA are defending Gold Cup champions

The 15th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup begins on June 15, 2019 in host nations USA, Costa Rica and Jamaica.

For the first time, the field has been expanded to 16 teams, up from 12 in previous years. Competing nations represent federations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The United States are the defending champions from 2017 and have opened as second-favorites at BookMaker with odds of +200, while Mexico open as top favorites at +150.

2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Odds

*Odds taken May 8, 2019

As the highest ranked FIFA nation in the tournament at 18th, and one of only three countries participating to have qualified for last year’s World Cup in Russia, it’s fair to install the Mexicans as favorites.

Mexico topped the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round on their way to Russia. The group also consisted of and finished in the order of: Costa Rica (2nd), Panama (3rd), Honduras (4th), USA (5th) and Trinidad & Tobago (6th).

https://twitter.com/ATLSportsNut_19/status/995126098051715072?s=20

Only Costa Rica and Panama joined Mexico at the World Cup. Though each of the six gained automatic qualification into this summer’s Gold Cup.

The remaining ten countries gained entrance as the top ten ranked teams from the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifying Round.

Mexico are always a threat in the Gold Cup and have reached the finals in four of the past six tournaments.

Neither Costa Rica or Panana were able to win a game in Russia, though Mexico advanced to the round of 16 where they were defeated 2-0 to Brazil.

While El Tri once again fell short in Russia, they are always a threat in the Gold Cup and have reached the finals in four of the past six tournaments.

Today in Atlanta, Head Coach Tata Martino spoke to the media regarding our upcoming matches this summer! 🎥🇲🇽⚽️#PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol | #MEXTOUR pic.twitter.com/OaFFli4hFC

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) April 30, 2019

Mexico will be adapting to a new coach, with ex-Atlanta United bench boss Tata Martino having taken over from Juan Carlos Osorio.

Martino guided Atlanta to an MLS Cup title in just the franchise’s second year in the league in 2018. His experience is vast, both at a club and national level, having previously coached at Barcelona and Argentina.

USA Rebuilding

The US are also adapting to life with a new coach as ex-Columbus Crew boss Gregg Berhalter was appointed manager in December after USA’s failer to qualify for the World Cup.

The disapointment and shock was real for USMNT, and Berhalter will have much to do in the coming years to ensure USA qualifies for Qatar 2022. Many new and younger players will likely feature into the lineup in the coming years. However, in Gold Cup play, USA is just as much a factor as Mexico, having reached the finals in six of the previous seven tournaments.

🇺🇸 It’s official! 🇺🇸@ussoccer has appointed Gregg Berhalter as the new head coach of the #USMNT. Congrats, Coach! pic.twitter.com/g23DQQgM10

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 2, 2018

They are the next highest ranked FIFA nation at the Gold Cup at 24th, with Costa Rica the third at 38th.

While Berhalter can be proud of an undefeated record over four friendly matches thus far in 2019, the US quite possibly drew the toughest group in June. Group D will consist of: USA, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana.

Christian Pulisic was absolutely dynamite this weekend. 🧨 Should he have played a bigger role in Dortmund's title chase?@AlexiLalas and @JoyPaulIan discuss on a new #AmerikanerAbroad 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/gsKZRDx0b4

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 6, 2019

The US finished behind Panama in the Hex and lost to Trinidad 2-1 in their final match in what could’ve sent them to Russia.

USA will hold the advantage of playing on home soil, and assuming they advance past the group stage, will avoid fellow contenders Mexico and Costa Rica in the bracket until a potential finals matchup.

#GoldCup's 🏆 top scorer ⚽ @landondonovan analyses current champions @USMNT 🇺🇸 rivals in #Goldcup2019. Will they keep the title? #ThisIsOurs #EstoEsNuestro pic.twitter.com/5aNgyfc9DM

— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) April 25, 2019

Can a New Winner Be Crowned?

The CONCACAF Gold Cup takes place every two years and has been won by USA in two of the past three tournaments. With six titles, USA are perennial contenders, though rivals Mexico own the most championships with seven, having last won in 2015.

The only country to interrupt the ongoing wins of USA and Mexico was Canada – yet way back in 2000.

Past Gold Cup Winners

The remaining top five favorites should make things interesting but will struggle to knock off the heavyweights.

Jamaica and Costa Rica will both be expected to top their respective groups and will be aided by playing one home game as co-hosts of the tournament.

But that’s it. Just one. Their remaining matches will be played in the United States. And all knockout round matches after the group stage will also be played on American soil.

https://twitter.com/JeffBull5/status/1116368752977694720?s=20

The Reggae Boys play a final warm up match against USA on June 5, and lost each of their past two matches to teams in this tournaments against Costa Rica and El Salvador.

The Ticos of Costa Rica, typically a strong outfit, may struggle to run deep into the tournament having won just three times across their past 14 matches in all competitions.

Costa Rica has won just three times across their past 14 matches in all competitions.

Honduras backers and Major League Soccer supporters of the Houston Dynamo, will recognize a trio of stars on Los Catrachos in Albert Elis, Rommel Quioto and Maynor Figueroa. They fell short in a World Cup qualification playoff and have struggled mightily of late with just one win in their last eight matches. They’ve also played just one warm-up match thus far in 2019.

Betting against USA and Mexico would not have proved profitable, well, ever. It’s not sexy, but I’ll have to back the chalk at this point and bet a Mexican win.

Best Bet: Mexico (+150)