Gold Cup Odds: Mexico, US Favorites … Again

It’s an exciting time for soccer in North America, with the MLS in full swing, World Cup qualification spots up for grabs, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup right at our doorstep.

The 2017 Gold Cup (July 7th – 26th) will once again be hosted by the United States. Since its inception in 1991, the competition has been a two-horse race between the US and Mexico. The only other country to claim the cup is Canada, who shocked the Confederation back in 2000.

This year will be much of the same. Mexico and the US are the runaway favorites, while countries like Costa Rica and Panama are the best bets to play spoiler and win their first trophy.

Where exactly do the teams stand? Here’s a preview of the odds. If you need help understanding what those odds mean, read our in-depth guide on how to bet online. Not only will it teach you how to read odds, it covers every aspect of online betting, like where to bet, how to bet, and why to bet. Ok maybe not why. You already know that part. 

2017 CONCACAF GOLD CUP ODDS

Mexico: 3/2

After a fourth-place finish at the Confederations Cup, coach Juan Carlos Osorio has opted to send a younger, less experienced squad to the Gold Cup. Still, the Mexicans are the favorites to win for the fourth time in five years.

Mexico drew with Euro 2016-winners Portugal in the group stage of the Confederations Cup and almost defeated them in the third-place match, conceding an equalizer in added time and then a penalty in extra time.

While we won’t see that same squad at the Gold Cup, their lineup will still include the likes of veteran defender Ugo Ayala and striker Erick “Cubo” Torres. El Tri have the most skilled team on paper. 

USA: 13/7

The US will be fielding a more experienced team than their southern neighbors. However, they’ll also be missing a few key players. Most notably, veterans Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley have been excluded from the squad.

They’ll will have Omar González and Gyasi Zardes, though. And the young Cristian Roldan, who has had a great season with the Sounders, will be making his USMNT debut. They pose a serious threat to the inexperienced Mexican squad.

The USMNT is undefeated in its last six, since dropping an embarrassing 4-0 game to Costa Rica in November 2016. That run includes a 2-1 win over Ghana in an early July friendly, and a 1-1 draw with Mexico in a June World Cup qualifier.

Costa Rica: 7/1

The country most likely to break the Mexico-USA duopoly is Costa Rica, who have been exceeding expectations recently. They will be missing star keeper Keylor Navas but will be fielding their attacking duet of Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell.

They may not have the depth of Mexico or the US, but with Ruiz and Campbell up front, they’ll be a challenge for any CONCACAF side. They’re strong play has vaulted them to no. 26 in the FIFA rankings, nine spots ahead of the US (no. 35) and ten back of Mexico (no. 16). 

Panama: 16/1

Panama have put in strong results in recent Gold Cups, outdoing their no. 52 FIFA ranking. In 2015, they beat the US on penalties in the third-place game. In 2013, they made it all the way to the finals before falling 1-0 to the Americans. 

They’ll face the US again in their first game, which is a tough draw. But they shouldn’t have a problem moving onto the knockout stage with Nicaragua (no. 105) and Martinique (unranked) rounding out their group.

Canada: 33/1

It’s not a good time for Canadian soccer. Their 2-1 loss to Honduras late last year axed their World Cup qualification chances, leading to the firing of manager Benito Floro. They’ll have to overcome Costa Rica and Honduras (no. 72) in order to advance to the knockout stage, which will be no easy task.

To top it off, star striker Cyle Larin is not featured in the lineup. It’s a tough road ahead for the Canadians, to say the least.