Gold Cup betting tips: Back United States to book their place in final with ease
- George Dempsey
- 12 July 2023
The United States should record a comfortable victory when they play host to Panama in the semifinals of the Gold Cup.
The United States will fancy their chances of beating Panama and advancing to the Gold Cup final when the teams meet in California.
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United States vs Panama verdict
The United States were extremely flat and lethargic against Canada in the quarterfinals. They moved the ball slowly and struggled against the press.
Panama made light work of Qatar as they thrashed the Asian invitee 4-0. The result marked an improvement from when the sides met and drew 3-3 in the 2021 Gold Cup.
The route means they've now scored 10 goals in their four Gold Cup matches, but they've faced no one of note and it's not a good look to have conceded four.
Whatever you make of their performance against Canada, the Stars and Stripes did extend their home unbeaten run against teams from the Americas to 30.
That run includes several lopsided results against Panama including a 5-1 win in a World Cup qualifier just 14 months ago and a 6-2 friendly win.
B.J. Callaghan's side were about as bad as they could have been and they still found a way to equalise in extra-time and get over the line on penalties.
The Panama of old were a horrible team to face. They were extremely aggressive on and off the ball, well organised and they took their chances.
This new, younger crop is getting better but they just look too fragile in defence. They can't fully commit to the press but the more possession the US have, the greater the chance they'll pick them apart.
There is an element of it's Canada and that will always be a tough game, even if there is a gulf in class between the nations.
We think it will have served as a timely wake-up call ahead of the semifinals and we expect the hosts to move the ball much more efficiently and find holes in the Panamanian defence.
