Mexico Enter Semifinals as Odds-On Favorites to Win 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- CONCACAF Gold Cup reaches semifinal stage
- Mexico now odds-on favorites
- Value with USA
The 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup has reached the semifinal stage and Mexico still look favorites to win it, as they have since before the tournament began. They were even-money after the group stages but are now odds-on at -135.
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019 Winner – Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mexico | -135 |
| USA | +140 |
| Jamaica | +1000 |
| Haiti | +2000 |
*Odds taken 07/02/19.
With the Mexicans now odds-on, the big question is can anyone stop them, and is there any value in any of the other three? We’ll take a look.
The semifinal line-up is Haiti vs Mexico on July 2 at Glendale at 10:30 pm EST and Jamaica vs USA on July 3 in Nashville at 9:30 pm EST.
Haiti to Go All the Way?
It will be the second meeting between Haiti and Mexico in the Gold Cup; the teams last meeting in the quarterfinals in 2009 when Mexico eased to a comfortable 4-0 win.
For the Haitians, this is the furthest they have ever been in the tournament and so in many ways they have already ‘won’, but having got this far they will believe it’s their year and they can make it to their first final. And with good reason, because they are in good form.
Rewriting history 🙌🏽 Haiti defeated Costa Rica 2-1 and now is at the top of Goup B! What a fantastic game!
Next up is Haiti 🇭🇹 Vs Canada 🇨🇦 on 7/29 @7pm pic.twitter.com/sJ15rPgvFR— haitiville (@haitivillecom) June 25, 2019
They negotiated the group stage with some comfort – wins over Bermuda, Nicaragua and Costa Rica – and followed it up with a 2-1 win over Canada in the quarterfinal. Outsiders they may be, but they have a chance.
Mexico’s to Lose?
Mexico’s route to the semis was only secured once they had survived a nerve-jangling penalty shootout against Costa Rica in the quarterfinal. The teams were locked at 1-1 but the Mexicans held their nerve in the shootout to win 5-4 on pens – all a far cry from their straightforward group stage progress, which saw them beat Canada, Martinique and Cuba.
https://twitter.com/n1videos/status/1146019479836667905
Mexico now await their 12th semifinal in 15 appearances at the tournament – and are favorites for a reason.
No Gold Cup for Jamaica Yet
In Nashville, the Jamaicans are looking to reach their third consecutive final, but have yet to win their first Gold Cup – a prize that has remained elusive for them. Qualification for the knockout stage was far from easy though, even after winning their opening game against Honduras.
They followed it up with draws against El Salvador and Curaçao, taking them to five points, which, with other results going their way, was enough to see them win the group.
To set up their semifinal with the USA, they edged past Panama in the quarterfinal with a narrow 1-0 victory. They arguably enter the semis with the least impressive form of the four.
USA Cruising
The USA’s route to the semis replicates that of Haiti in that they have four wins from four. Group wins over Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Panama set up a quarterfinal against Curaçao, which was won via a first-half goal from Weston McKennie.
FT: USA 4, Guyana 0
Two goals for Tyler Boyd, one for Paul Arriola, another off Gyasi Zardes's face, and the Americans open the Gold Cup with three pointshttps://t.co/yWXV87EqDq pic.twitter.com/VsYFZ41tog
— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) June 19, 2019
So, it’s been an impressive campaign for the States who very much needed a good tournament in order to restore some pride. Despite the MLS going from strength to strength, for the US national team to miss out on the 2018 World Cup was a massive blow and which is why success in the Gold Cup is so important to them. And they have a chance.
All Roads Lead to Soldier Field
So, the stage is set and it’s all to play for. While it’d be the choice of the romantic bettors to see Haiti to beat Mexico, it’s hard to find a good argument as to how this could happen. Mexico’s experience should be enough.
In the other semi, we can see USA’s momentum and desire to match their women’s team success, as being a deciding factor, plus there is the Jamaican’s stuttering form, so we see a Mexico/USA final at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
And maybe momentum will continue to play a part on Sunday?
Our pick: USA to win (+140)
Once just a sports fanatic, fan-turned-writer Gary Gowers has been featured on European television and radio networks to discuss several professional football clubs. His work can be found in an assortment of publications like The Metro, MyFootballWriter.com, and BBC Radio Norfolk.
