The CONCACAF Gold Cup Final between defending champions Mexico and host USA is a dream final. It’s the final everyone anticipated from the start of the tournament and wanted to see and after a dramatic semi-final round, in which both sides were sorely tested and in the reigning champions’ case, pushed almost to the limit, the anticipation reaches a fever pitch.

USA faced Panama in the semis, looking for redemption for a 2-1 defeat to Panama in the group stage, its only defeat in the competition thus far. As the previous encounter, so the semi-final: Panama played a tight game, giving the USA very little to work with, if anything at all. In fact, for most of the match Panama seemed to outplay the USA, controlling the ball and playing some great soccer. And during some of these best stretches by the Central Americans, the goal came – on two substitutions, Freddy Adu and Landon Donovan, who, curiously, started his second match of the tournament sitting pretty on the bench. Clint Dempsey was the hero for the USA, lunging at the back post to slot a Donovan cross into the net, late in the second half.

Mexico came up against an industrious Honduras that seemed up for the challenge it is to take on the most successful team in the competition as they forced extra time following a goalless 90 minutes of regular time. But extra time was barely three minutes old and Honduras cracked, unable to withstand the constant attacking pressure of the El Tri as first Aldo De Nigris and then, six minutes later, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored to send Mexico to the Gold Cup final with a 2-0 win.

USA and Mexico have collided in the last two finals of the biennial Gold Cup tournament, splitting the result: USA winning four years ago and Mexico crushing the USA en route to a 5-0 coronation in 2009. Therefore, it is no wonder that going into the tournament, Mexico were the hot favorites to win while USA was a close second favorite. 

USA will win because….
Panama exposed several weaknesses that still exist in this USA team – arguably, its best export into the world’s beautiful game – by handing them a 2-1 defeat in group action but the composure that the Americans showed in the rematch with Panama was singularly responsible for victory. Admittedly, they weren’t the better side on the pitch that day but they kept it together and pounced on the lone opportunity when it came. Sure, there was a touch of luck in that result but the bottom line is that the USA is in the final and they have home advantage. 

Mexico will win because…
Mexico is to the CONCACAF Gold Cup what Barcelona is to Champions League, a force to be reckoned with, just in a smaller playground and with, admittedly, lesser players. Nevertheless, Mexico is the team to beat and when players like “Chicarito,” amongst several others, are on hot form they are impossible to deny. On home advantage to the USA, it is a moot point. El Tri will not be short of fans in the stands given the large Mexican population in America and therefore home-advantage, you could say, is cancelled out.

It is worthwhile to note that the winner of Saturday’s final clinches a berth in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013, a 2014 FIFA World Cup preview event. USA earned a berth in the last Confederations Cup in South Africa, wherein they surprised the entire world by beating Spain in the semis before losing to Brazil in the final.

Such long overdue international success provides the sort of incentive for the USA that together with home advantage could see them win the final on Saturday. It is a result that would please American soccer fans no end and would go towards further establishing USA as a respectable team and viable threat in the game. But Mexico looms large and dangerous, having more depth and skill than the Americans have and therefore, it is hard to see how they can be denied a sixth Gold Cup coronation.

USA seals a berth in the women’s FIFA World Cup final with an inspired 3-1 victory over France in the semi-finals. USA is set to meet Japan in its first final since winning the title on home soil in 1999.

In a back-and-forth, dramatic and high-tempo semi-final USA saw off France with two late goals that finally subdued a heroic France on Wednesday night in Monchengladbach.  The Americans took a quick lead in the first half, barely ten minutes into the match, when Laura Cheney deftly tucked the ball home at the near posts following a determined cross from Heather O’Reilley who outpaced Laura Georges on the left flank to find space.

France however rallied on, peppering the American net. They crafted plenty opportunities in front of Hope Solo, forcing the American keeper to come up with some memorable saves. The best of which came near the half hour mark when Louisa Necib fired on target from the edge of the penalty area for what looked an almost certain goal but for an alert Solo tipping the ball over the crossbar.

The game’s incredible pace continued in the second half, although France came out of the blocks stronger as they very nearly levelled the score inside the first minute but for a nervy effort by Thiney. Their efforts were rewarded soon afterwards though as Bompastor’s cross beat Solo soundly to fly into the goal.

Parity so restored the tempo increased, frantic end-to-end action with both sides having opportunities to go ahead in the game, underscored by the central battle between French keeper Berangere Sapowicz and her opposite Hope Solo as both tried to outshine the other while keeping her side in the game.

USA finally cracked Sapowicz with 11 minutes remaining on a powerful header by Wambach following a well-hit Cheney corner. And three minutes later, Morgan finished France off on the counter-attack with a cool strike beating an exposed Sapowicz.

Japan is through to their first-ever World Cup final following a comeback from behind victory over Sweden.

Sweden took the early lead when Josefine Oqvist took advantage of some careless passing by Japan in the box to strike a fine shot past goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori. Japan however responded quickly; the lead barely ten minutes old, Japan created some inspired havoc in front of Sweden’s goal and Aya Miyami crossed into the box for Kawasumi to touch the ball past Hedvig Lindhal.
A frenzy of action unfolded in the second half, although Sweden never did quite look as imposing as they did against the Americans in the final group game, failing to create any viable opportunities and struggling to breakthrough Japan’s backline.

The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark, somewhat fortuitously for the Asians, when Homare Sawa pounced on a botched save attempt by Lindahl. It proved to be Lindahl’s undoing and thus, Sweden’s campaign.

Four minutes later Japan was up by two goals. Once again, a botched effort by Lindahl – coming out to stop a long ball but for the clearance handily falling to Kawasumi’s feet, which she  touched once before taking an ambitious long-range strike that looped into the net as much to her surprise as to Japan’s delight  – sent Japan well and truly into the final.

Winning Pick: The American Team has the momentum, confidence and swagger. Japan won’t be able to over come those odds.

USA and Panama are set to go head to head in the CONCACAF Gold Cup when group C action continues this week. The match is set to get underway on Saturday 11 June at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Florida.

USA opened their bid with a convincing 2-0 victory over Canada while Panama beat a 10-man Guadeloupe 3-2. As a result, USA and Panama are level on points, 3 apiece but USA has top spot owing to goal differential. It follows: a victory in this match will decide top spot in Group C, at least for the time being.

As far as the overarching outlook, USA tipped at +150, is one of two hot faves to win the competition; only Mexico, the defending champions are  listed shorter at +120. Panama, by contrast, is tipped at a significant large +1800 to win outright.

Taking stock of the futures market is noteworthy as far as this match is concerned because it further emphasizes the value of betting on USA to win this match. It is hard to see anything other than a comfortable victory for the USA against Panama because of home advantage and past success in this competition and against Panama itself – during the last Gold Cup, the pair met in the quarterfinals and USA won, en route to a runner-up finish.

USA the Faves to win
The pressure is entirely on the Americans to win as the faves. Expectations are high following their runner-up finish in both the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Confederations Cup and after a memorable account in FIFA World Cup action last summer. A solid start was important for USA and didn’t they deliver on expectations, proving they could handle the pressure. And now that that hurdle is out of the way, they should steamroll through group action.

Panama long shot bet
Panama are huge underdogs in this match but they are after a respectable quarterfinal finish in the last Gold Cup, which suggests that perhaps they shouldn’t be underestimated. Moreover, they started the group stage positively with a victory and thus, they are in the running for a spot in the knockout stages. Still, it is hard to imagine Panama beating the USA on home ground.

Soccer Betting Verdict:
While the market corner this match completely in the USA camp, even suggesting a beat down, I believe this match will be a lot closer than most expect it to be. Keep in mind, the pressure is still on the USA and despite a solid start in the competition, it is a long way to the final and they need to maintain form until the finish line. Let’s be honest, anything other than a USA Gold Cup victory this year would be a huge disappointment considering the strides they made on the international arena.  Panama has nothing to lose and everything to gain. I expect they will rise to the occasion and try to make a match of it. That said, the Americans should be too strong for them and the best Panama can do is to lose respectably.

Soccer Free Picks: USA 2-1 over Panama

USA has set up a quarterfinal clash against tournament favorites Brazil in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a battle that is set to get underway on Sunday 10 July at Glücksgas Stadium in Dresden.

USA was hoping to avoid a quarterfinal clash against Brazil but a defeat to Sweden in the last group game meant that they could only clinch second spot, thus setting up a clash against the daunting South Americans who finished top of their group comfortably.

The rekindling of the rivalry between the USA and Brazil was always on the cards but, admittedly, most expected (or hoped rather) it would happen later in the tournament, when the stakes were higher, the bragging rights that much more considerable, and the prize larger.

USA and Brazil last met in the 2007 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, a battle that ended in a crushing 4-0 US defeat.  Indeed, the USA would like nothing better than to avenge that result but what chance do they have, really?

USA’s Road to the Quarterfinals

The USA enjoyed a promising start to their campaign with a 2-0 win over North Korea. When they followed up with a 3-0 win over Columbia they secured advancement into the quarterfinals but where they would fall in the draw for the second round remained to be decided against Sweden.

The Americans maddening inconsistency, a concerning trend that has plagued the team this past year, however proved to be their undoing as it reared its ugly head in the last game. They were ineffective in the first half and although the Americans rallied towards the end of the match, Sweden, from the first to the last whistle, always looked the better team and easily outclassed the Americans to take the deserved 2-1 victory and top spot in Group C.

Brazil’s Road to the Quarterfinals

Brazil clinched top spot in Group D rather easily although they did begin their campaign with a nervy 1-0 win over Australia. The Brazilians though found form in the second group game, en route to a 3-0 thrashing of Norway. In the last game, Brazil beat Equatorial Guinea 3-0 to advance into the knockout stages with a perfect record and a clean sheet.

Given the first round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup it is no surprise that Brazil is heavily favoured over USA to advance into the semis. The Americans were clearly unable to withstand the pressure towards the tail end of group action. Not only did Sweden expose defensive issues but they also showed how the offensive arm can be rendered irrelevant.

Brazil has to like what they’ve seen so far from the Americans, a team that goes into the quarterfinals as the significant long shot, held at the disadvantage because – let’s face it – a win by them would register as a huge upset in the tournament.  And if they do their homework like Sweden did, prior to the game, they are more likely than not to advance into the semis – just as they did four years ago.

As far as the other quarterfinals are concerned, England takes on France and host nation Germany takes on Japan on Saturday 9 July meanwhile Australian and Sweden go head-to-head on Sunday 10 July.

Uruguay is a solid favorite to take home the Copa America 2011 Championship title on Sunday, July 24.  The South American squad faces another nation from S.A. in Paraguay, and although Paraguay has been very good during this tournament, so far sports handicappers are all over the Uruguayans.  Uruguay is a solid -220 favorite to take it to Paraguay, who is at +170 to win Copa America 2011.  The reason for the love floating to Uruguay can be summed up in one word, offense.  Uruguay has it and Paraguay apparently does not.

Where:  Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina
When:  July 24, 2011

Uruguay         -220
Paraguay        +170

Even though the Paraguayans find themselves in the championship game on Sunday, they have yet to score a goal in the Final Stages, in two games, in regulation.  Paraguay upset the brilliant Brazilians in the Quarterfinals by winning the game on penalty kicks, 2 to 0.  They took down Venezuela in the Semifinals by winning the game on penalty kicks 5 to 3. Both games ended in 0-0 ties before going to penalty kicks.

Now, Paraguay faces the exceptional Uruguayans who beat Argentina with penalty kicks, 5 to 4, after playing the host country to a 1 to 1 tie during regulation in the Quarterfinals.  Uruguay then smacked Peru in the Semifinals 2 to 0 on July 19.  Uruguay is led by the awesome Luis Suarez.  The current Liverpool player has scored three goals during Copa America 2011 including kicking one home against Peru.  If Paraguay’s stingy defense can’t stop Suarez, then, most likely, the odds makers will have gotten it correct.

Paraguay figures to play an ultra-defensive game on Sunday.  It worked against Brazil in the Quarterfinals and it worked against Venezuela in the Semifinals, but Uruguay is better than just Luis Suarez.  If Paraguay pays too much attention to Suarez, Diego Perez could take advantage.  The defensive midfielder scored the goal against Argentina in the Quarterfinals and figures to be more aggressive than usual against Paraguay depending on how the Paraguyans defend against Suarez. 

The most important soccer event in Latin America, Copa America 2011 reached the quarterfinal stages with hosts Argentina finally coming alive on a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica on Monday, a convincing win that sends the hyped-up hosts into the knockout stages of the competition with optimism after clinching a disappointing second spot in Group A behind Colombia.

A Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina failed to impress in the first two games, depositing a concerning slow start to the competition that had those who‘d tipped Argentina to win it this year flummoxed.

An audacious Bolivia very nearly upset Argentina in the opening game but for a late equaliser by Sergio Agüero that salvaged the point for the hosts and then, a much-improved Colombia thwarted Argentina further by holding the hosts to a scoreless draw.

Only in the final group game did Argentina display the kind of intensity and flair expected of them as Agüero combined for a brace and Ángel Di María added a third goal to give La Albiceleste its first “W” in Copa America.

In spite of the convincing win, which rejuvenated Argentina’s campaign, the main commentary going into the quarterfinals centres on Messi and his ongoing woes in national duty – that is, his inability to score at will as he does when wearing Barcelona colours – and the fear that his woes will become a nation’s disaster.

The gifted Argentinean has yet to not only score a goal but also find form in the competition: show why he’s the winner of FIFA’s footballer of the year award. Heck, why he’s considered the greatest football player in the current game. He’s been rendered insignificant so far and with World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay looming in the quarters, having a game-changing player as Messi tempered so is, understandably, a concern that could prove potentially deciding.

Title holders Brazil, who got off to a similar slow start, finished group action with aplomb, serving notice with a 4-2 extravaganza over Ecuador that surely signals they are finally coming together under new coach Mano Menezes and that they remain the team to beat.

Brazil, unlike Argentina, ultimately clinched top spot in Group B by beating Venezuela to the honour on goal difference. The coveted spot however turns out to be a double-edged sword, earning them a rematch with Paraguay and Menezes is wary of this next game. "We know Paraguay’s coach can put out a team that will be hard to beat but that’s our path," Menezes said.

Le Selecao was given a run for its money in an overall surprisingly evenly-matched group. Venezuela set the tone by holding Brazil to a scoreless draw and then, Paraguay announced intent on a 2-2 draw with Brazil.

Not until the final game was in the books did Group B take shape with Brazil on top, Venezuela second and Paraguay in third. Paraguay, nonetheless, earned passage into the knockout stages as one of two best third-placed teams. The other is Peru, who emerged from Group C.

Chile topped Group C, a competitive, wide-open group that featured World Cup semi-finalist Uruguay, CONCACAF Cup champions Mexico and Peru. Uruguay clinched second spot, Peru third and a disappointed Mexico exits the tournament after entering the 12-nation competition on a high.

Columbia is set to get the quarterfinal stage underway on Saturday when they take on Peru and then, Argentina and Uruguay will go head-to-head as the day’s showpiece.
On Sunday, defending champions Brazil face off against Paraguay all the while wary of their South American neighbours strengths after settling on a 2-2 draw against them in the first round. Chile and Venezuela wrap up the proceedings. 

At long last, the UEFA Champions League final is upon us and what an epic showdown it promises to be when La Liga and Premier League titleholders this season battle for bragging rights in Europe’s top-flight competition.

Football simply can’t get any better than this: a Barca/United billing, only the two best teams in Europe that draw legions of fans from around the world. Never mind soccer-betting fanatics, any sports betting enthusiast would be barmy to overlook this match on the day’s betting ticket.

This is the ultimate battle in the beautiful game and yet it is a sequel, a repeat of the final in Rome two years ago, when a Messi-inspired Barcelona beat a Ronaldo-influenced Manchester United 2-0.

It follows: there can only be one satisfying question and that is who will win this contest, which is set to get underway on Saturday 28 May at Wembley Stadium in London.

For that, BetOnline bookmakers have rolled out a whole slew of odds. From game odds, which include money line, totals and spread prices, to overarching odds on who will ‘Lift the Cup’, and various other in-between market odds such as to score first and last, it is a comprehensive betting experience that awaits at BetOnline.

As the market currently stands, Barcelona is tipped at +100 on the moneyline to win the match and at a hot fave price of -200 to lift the Cup. In fact, Barcelona has the edge over Man U in every single market, including all markets where scoring is concerned. They are tipped at -175 to score first and at -165 to score last.

Manchester United, on the other hand, is tipped at a whopping +270 on the money line to win the match and at a significantly long +160 to lift the Cup. The underdog cast extends to every market, including those pertaining to scoring where they are at +135 to score first and at +125 to score last.

Manchester United have won the European trophy three times and as recently as 2007/2008 when they beat Chelsea FC in Moscow. They finished runners-up once; ironically, to Barcelona in 2008/2009.

Barcelona have also won the European trophy three times and as recently as 2008/2009 in Rome at the expense of Man U. They have two more runner-up finishes than Man U does though having reached the final in 1960/61, 1985/86 and 1993/94.

Soccer Betting Verdict: This will be Barcelona’s seventh appearance and Man U’s fifth appearance in European Champion Clubs’ final. Both clubs are three-time winners but given that Man U has won as many times as Barcelona has over fewer appearances it would seem on the one hand that they are more successful at this last hurdle. Then again, they did falter at this stage when they came up against Barcelona and that is telling.
From the very beginning Barcelona were the favorites in the competition to win it all. Hence, smart money is on Barca to win on Saturday – foolish to argue that point.

However, in many ways this is a grudge match for Man U; a second shot against Barcelona. Make no mistake, as good as Man U is, beating arguably the world’s best team in the current game in THE championship match is not going to be easy. But they can do it.

Keep in mind that Man U has home-field advantage at Wembley Stadium. The club’s stars might not shine as brightly as Barca’s twinkled-toed stars do but they are a hardy, stoic lot that Sir Alex Fergusson has managed for a very long time and moulded into a cohesive and consistent unit. And speaking of Ferggie, the man is already revered, but on Saturday he stands to become a legend and enter a completely unheralded stratosphere, where he’ll be in a league of his own as far as managers go in accolades and achievements.

It remains to be seen whether his men can see his vision through on the pitch, but going into the match, one must concede, all these intangibles could combine together for that champion moment, that moment that every footballer and worshiper of the beautiful game dreams of attaining, becoming indisputably the best club in the game. May the best team win!

Soccer Free Picks: Manchester United to win UEFA Champions League Cup

The 2011 Copa America is set to get underway in a mere few days and promises to bring the best of South American soccer to soccer fans worldwide in the month of July. Running from July 1-24, Copa America will showcase the delightfully skilful Brazilians, who are the defending champions; the supernatural Messi-inspired Argentineans; the talented Mexicans, who are flush off a sixth CONCACAF Gold Cup title; and the ambitious Uruguayans, who are after a memorable 2010 World Cup run, amongst many others.

Defending champions Brazil are the team to beat in this tournament having won four titles in a row; therefore, the overriding question ahead of the 2011 Copa America is: can anyone stop the Brazilians?

Brazil goes into the tournament as one of two favourites to win the trophy again. Their biggest threat for the title: a Messi-inspired Argentina.

Odds on powerhouse Brazil winning a fifth title are tighter than previously because two factors go that stand against them or, to put it another way, make it more difficult a) they will be without some of their star players such as Kaka, Felipe Melo, Luis Fabiano, Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Nilmar, to name a few, and b) this year Argentina is hosting the Copa America, giving the host nation and overwhelming advantage.

Before Brazil can look ahead to Argentina it needs to navigate a successful path through Group action but let’s face it with Venezuela, Ecuador and Paraguay in Group B they should advance without a hitch.

Argentina suffered numerous disappointments in recent years in this competition; surprisingly so, given the talent and depth contained within their national team. Home advantage is going to be huge towards putting past disappointments behind, indeed; but then again, the players can’t simply bank on home advantage. One wonders whether the pressure and expectation placed on them will be too much. Argentina falls into Group A with Bolvia, dangerous floaters Costa Rica and Colombia.

Mexico is after beating the USA 4-2 in the Gold Cup final, a result that saw them surge in the FIFA rankings and bolstered their confidence ahead of this competition. Mexico is definitely a team to watch in this competition as it tries to shake things up in Group C. 

Falling into the same group as Mexico is Uruguay, a side that stunned the world in South Africa. Uruguay enjoyed a memorable run at the 2010 World Cup wherein they reached the semi-finals before falling to the eventual champions Spain. As things currently stand, Group C appears to be wide open, shaped to be the most interesting group of the competition.

European club soccer drew to a close on a high note – with the Champions League Final last weekend, which Barcelona won 3-1 over Manchester United convincingly – paving the way for international soccer on the online sports betting platform. And first up to take centre stage is the CONCACAF Gold Cup that gets underway at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on Sunday June 5th when Cuba takes on Costa Rica in Group A action, followed by Mexico vs. El Salvador.

Cuba vs. Costa Rica Preview and Picks:

BetOnline Sportsbook tips Cuba as the significant underdogs at +450 while tipping Costa Rica at -200 to win the opening Group A clash and for good reason; that is, a vast chasm between these teams exists in performance and results in the context of this competition and where overall quality and status in the game is concerned.

Costa Rica has a rich history in this competition. While they are not the most successful – that is Mexico – they are third best in the CONCACAF region having won the title three times (1963, 1969 and 1989) and finishing runners-up once (2002) and finishing in third and fourth place numerous times.

High expectations preceded Costa Rica on their last spin in Gold Cup action and didn’t they almost come through on those but for a disappointing defeat to Mexico, the eventual winners, on penalties after their semi-final clash ended up in a 1-1 draw. Truth be told, Costa Rica were the better team; Mexico were just luckier.

Costa Rica has something to prove in this competition, perhaps more so than ever before, because not only did they fail in 2009 Gold Cup but they also failed to qualify for World Cup 2010. As such, they are one of the teams to watch.

As far as their opening match with Cuba, two words: no contest. Cuba isn’t a nation synonymous with soccer. You could say they are a non-soccer (footballing, if you like) nation, although they clearly have a national team. And true to type, their results are paltry in the sport. In this competition, for example, the only noteworthy result was a fourth place finish in 1971.

Soccer Betting Verdict: Here we have as straightforward a market as a matchup. The bookies have the right end of the stick by tipping Costa Rica as the huge favourites. Costa Rica has more depth and quality than Cuba has, which means they should outclass Cuba in a completely one-sided affair. Frankly, anything other than a convincing Costa Rica win would be a huge surprise. Put it another way: a win by Cuba would be a monumental upset, unprecedented by the nation in this competition.

Soccer Free Picks: Costa Rica 4-0 Cuba

Mexico vs. El Salvador Preview and Picks

Mexico is widely held the team to beat in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, hands down. The upshot of which is that Mexico is also the bookmaker’s outright fave in the market in the 2011 instalment of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Mexico is the defending champion and the most successful team in the competition proper with five titles. In 2009, they beat United States comprehensively in the final stunning the boys in red, white and blue 5-0 before a patriotic crowd at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

This year Mexico is gunning for an unprecedented sixth Gold Cup and if the markets were any indication it is their competition to lose.

As far as the opening match for Mexico is concerned, it’s not surprising to find them installed as the outright hot bet to win at -400. El Salvador, first to take on the defending champions, is listed at a whopping +700.

Few expect anything less than a strong start by Mexico. El Tri will be trotting out a new manager, which some believe takes the shine off them or at least poses several question marks – after all style, tactics and strategy change from coach to coach. Still, the talent is inherently the same.

Soccer Free Picks: Mexico 2-1 El Salvador

The CONCACAF Gold Cup enters the quarterfinal stage and as it does, so do Mexico and USA inch closer towards rekindling their rivalry in the final. By all accounts, defending champions Mexico and USA would be a dream final. It’s the final, everyone – from soccer fans to pundits alike – ultimately want and have envisioned from the start of the tournament.

Two more rounds remain before the final billing is set, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves and let’s look at the action before us that is set to get underway in the quarterfinal round this weekend.

Costa Rica vs. Honduras

Costa Rica has had a mediocre tournament as far as the group stage is concerned. Falling into Group A with Mexico did make things tougher but Costa Rica was challenged by another in their group, El Salvador when they were held to a 1-1 draw in game 2. In fact, had Costa Rica not thumped Cuba match 5-0 they might not have advanced into the knockout stages. Frankly, I am not convinced by this edition of Costa Rica. On paper, they do seem the better bet but Honduras, who is buoyed by a solid turnout for their country in this event, has nothing to lose. This could be a close call, indeed if not a surprise result.

Mexico vs. Guatemala

Mexico advances into the knockout stages on a perfect group account, having won all three matches. So far, Mexico is delivering on expectations. It is therefore reasonable to assume that they would continue to deliver and with interest. Not to dismiss Guatemala out of hand. After all, anything can happen and they have everything to play for but, in reality, beating Mexico is a massive undertaking, almost unthinkable really.

Jamaica vs. USA

USA has enjoyed a topsy-turvy tournament, not the dream run in Group action most expected I dare say – the defeat to Panama was most shocking, certainly – but it could be just a hiccup.

Problem is though that in falling to Panama, USA finished second in Group C and in turn, has drawn a surprisingly solid Jamaica in the quarterfinals. Jamaica takes a three-game winning streak into the quarters, making it loom large. Then again, they’ve had the easiest draw of the tournament.  This is the real litmus test for Jamaica’s campaign and if they beat USA it would underscore group action, appropriately. However, I can’t help but believe that USA with its international experience in clutch matches and home advantage will find a way to persevere.    

Panama vs. El Salvador

This is perhaps the most evenly matched up quarterfinal at the Gold Cup as both sides have a legitimate stake in the semis. Panama is in a great position to advance, extending an undefeated 2-1-0 run in the competition and that includes a morale-boosting win over the host nation USA. El Salvador, who began strong with a win and a draw before suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Mexico, can get back on the winning track with a life-extending win over Panama.

So which team to bet on? Really, it’s anybody’s game but I expect this game, while being tight and thrilling, to go the way of Panama, edging out a valiant El Salvador by the narrowest of margins.