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Carrie Stroup here with your Gold Cup betting odds for the United States vs. Honduras game as America is fresh off its big Women’s World Cup win.
Group Stage
Kick-off: Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: United States -303, Honduras +800, Tie +400, Total: 2.5
The United States opens up its Gold Cup campaign against Honduras in Group A action on Tuesday night.
Fresh off of a 4-0 thrashing of Guatemala in a friendly match, the United States men’s national team will look to continue its winning ways in its 2015 Gold Cup debut. In its last five matches, the USMNT has four wins, including victories over Mexico, the Netherlands, and Germany, and one draw. Given this fine form, the Americans should be favorites to lift the trophy like they did in 2013, the most recent edition of the tournament.
Brad Guzan will start in net, and although the 30 year old has played second fiddle to Tim Howard most of his international career, he is a very proven player at the club level. Omar Gonzalez should start at center back, and he will likely be paired with World Cup hero John Anthony Brooks. Elsewhere on the roster, Michael Bradley, Kyle Beckerman, and Clint Dempsey should be locks to start, while youngsters DeAndre Yedlin and Gyasi Zardes could also find themselves in the starting XI.
As for Honduras, the World Cup participants enter the Gold Cup with much uncertainty. Jerry Bengtson, who with 20 international goals is his country’s leading active goalscorer, did not get called up to the national team as manager Jorge Luis Pinto cited a lack of playing time at the club level as the reason behind the decision. Also missing will be midfield stalwart Roger Espinoza, who declined a call-up for fitness reasons. Maynor Figueroa will lead the defense, while Andy Najar, the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year, will be called upon to create chances for the Hondurans.
Jurgen Klinsmann’s men have looked particularly strong in recent months leading up to the Gold Cup, and the Americans have had an easy time finding the back of the net. Nevertheless, both teams have a tendency to use defensive-minded tactics, and given that it is the opener, they both might come out tentatively, leading to under 2.5 goals scored.
Ultimately, the United States should be able to prevail, but only by a score of 1-0 or 2-0.
