United States vs Mexico betting tips: CONCACAF Nations League semi-final preview, predictions, team news and odds
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United States vs Mexico recommended bets
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United States vs Mexico match preview
CONCACAF’s two heavyweights met in the inaugural final two summer’s ago, but now only one will face either Panama or Canada in Sunday’s showpiece occasion.
Back in June 2021, the United States became the first-ever winners of this tournament, defeating their fierce rivals 3-2 in a thriller in Denver.
Christian Pulisic fired the U.S. ahead from 12 yards in extra time before, in the 124th minute, Andrés Guardado saw a penalty saved by substitute goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.
Will this rematch in Las Vegas be equally as exhilarating?
The United States actually won both major trophies on offer in 2021, also defeating Mexico in the Gold Cup Final at this venue a month later.
Since then, the Stars and Stripes have reached the World Cup knockout stages, eventually ousted by Netherlands, with Gregg Berhalter’s contract not renewed following their exit in Qatar.
Now led by B. J. Callaghan, the interim to the interim if you will, the United States are aiming to retain both their titles.
USA are unbeaten in five meetings with their biggest rivals, so can they extend that streak to six in Paradise?
As for Mexico, the last two years have not gone to plan, beaten in those two aforementioned finals in 2021 before exiting last year’s World Cup in the group phase, their earliest exit since 1978.
Thus, new Head Coach Diego Cocca is under big pressure to deliver silverware this summer, ahead of a World Cup partially on home soil in 2026.
The reason el Tri are facing USA at the semi-final stage is that they are the lowest-ranked team at these finals, accumulating a measly eight points from their four games fixtures.
Mexico failed to beat Jamaica either home or away, needing a penalty from Chucky Lozano in March to salvage a draw against the Reggae Boyz at Estadio Azteca, without which they would not have qualified.
So, the United States do kick off as favourites to prevail at Allegiant Stadium, but one should always expect fireworks when these two meet, especially with a place in Sunday’s final is on the line.
United States team news
There’s only one man that all USMNT fans have been talking about ahead of this game and that is Folarin Balogun.
Back in May, FIFA approved Balogun’s one-time switch to the US, choosing them over England or Nigeria, and, having scored 20 goals in Ligue 1 for Reims this season, will make his debut, leading the attack.
The most notable absentee from this squad is captain Tyler Adams, he’s injured, leaving a large void at the base of midfield.
In his absence, B. J. Callaghan is expected to switch from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1, with Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah deployed as a double-pivot, with Gio Reyna in the number ten role.
Right-back Sergiño Dest hasn’t played a single minute for his club A.C. Milan since 24 January, but has started two U.S. games since then, and is likely to keep his place.
Who starts at centre-back though is much tougher to call.
Some are expecting Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson to rekindle their partnership from World Cup qualifying, with Robinson subsequently missing the tournament due to an ACL injury.
Although, Auston Trusty and Chris Richards are both good alternatives; Cameron Carter-Vickers is injured.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, M Robinson, A Robinson; Musah, McKennie; Weah, Reyna, Pulisic; Balogun.
Mexico team news
Diego Cocca’s team have already played two friendlies this month, beating Guatemala and drawing with Cameroon, as he continues to search for a winning formulae.
Veteran Guillermo Ochoa is likely to win his 136th cap in goal after Luis Malagón made a calamitous error in San Diego at the weekend.
The biggest change Cocca has made from the Tata Martino era is switching to a back three, which has had mixed reviews so far.
Mexico are very short of attacking options, given that Raúl Jiménez, Chucky Lozano and Tecatito Corona are all injured.
So Santiago Giménez, who scored 23 times for Eredivisie champions Feyenoord this season, will lead the line.
Uriel Antuna is the top-scorer in this squad with just ten international goal, one of which came in the Continental Clásico against the U.S. in April.
Of the XI that started the Nations League Final two years ago, only Jesús Gallardo, Edson Álvarez and Orbelín Pineda are even in the squad this time round.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Ochoa; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez; Araujo, Álvarez, Luis Romo, Gallardo; Pineda, Antuna, Giménez.
