The United States are looking to defend the Concacaf Gold Cup – the North, Central American, and Caribbean Championship.
The 2019 tournament is being held mainly in America with 15 venues across the States, whilst Costa Rica and Jamaica will both be hosting a double header.
USA head coach Gregg Berhalter is taking charge of his first tournament, and he admits that he and his squad can learn a lot.
“It’s about competing. It’s about our tactics, It’s about the way we play. It’s about going through this process and learning together, because tournaments are a learning process for a group. So it’s about those three things,” Berhalter said.
“Then to me, it’s ultimately about putting ourselves in a position to win. We know Mexico is a very good team, probably the favourites of the tournament. We know that’s a good team. We know that Panama has an experienced team. We know it’s not going to be easy. But it’s going to be good for this group to dig and have to compete for something.”
BoyleSports provide the odds throughout the preview and we spoke with Lawrence Lyons for their assessment before the tournament gets underway.
“Mexico and the USA have shared 13 of the 14 stagings of this competition so it’s no surprise to see them well clear in the Concacaf Gold Cup betting.
“As it stands, we cannot separate them at the head of affairs and it may take a couple of matches before a clear favourite emerges, but it’s certainly looking like a two horse race if the betting is anything to go by, with Costa Rica the most likely fly in the ointment for the favourites.”
We now run through every team with their odds, star men, one to watch and summary from our Football Insider Graeme Bailey.
GROUP A
MEXICO
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 11/8
Coach: Gerardo Martino
Star Player: Raul Jimenez
One to watch: Erick Gutierrez
Graeme’s view: “Mexico are a classy squad, not the strongest they could have fielded, but they sure look like the ones to beat – I don’t think anyone will.”
CANADA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 28/1
Coach: John Herdman
Star Player: Scott Arfield
One to watch: Alphonso Davies
Graeme’s view: “Canada have some really exciting young players and their squad is full of potential – they should ease through.”
MARTINIQUE
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 250/1
Coach: Mario Bocaly
Star Player: Kevin Fortune
One to watch: Wesley Jobello
Graeme’s view: “One of the weaker squads, but they have some European-based players who will need to step up if they are to make an impact.”
CUBA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 100/1
Coach: Raul Mederos
Star Player: Yasmany Lopez
One to watch: Andy Baquero
Graeme’s view: “Cuba will use this as an experience, they will be lucky to get a goal let alone a point.”
GROUP B
COSTA RICA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 7/1
Coach: Gustavo Matosas
Star Player: Bryan Ruiz
One to watch: Allan Cruz
Graeme’s view: “Costa Rica are one of the powerhouses in this tournament they have a strong squad, they will be contenders.”
HAITI
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 80/1
Coach: Marc Collat
Star Player: Duckens Nazon
One to watch: Carlens Arcus
Graeme’s view: “A young squad, but a lot of potential and ones to watch for the future but this tournament could be a little early for them although don’t rule out a place in the knockout stages.”
NICARAGUA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 150/1
Coach: Henry Duarte
Star Player: Juan Barrera
One to watch: Renato Punyed
Graeme’s view: “Nicaragua are lacking quality, and it is hard to see them picking much up from the Gold Cup.”
BERMUDA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 250/1
Coach: Kyle Lightbourne
Star Player: Nahki Wells
One to watch: Jonte Smith
Graeme’s view: “I don’t think Bermuda will be the whipping boys here, but they will struggle to qualify although Premier League star Nahki Wells could make the difference.”
GROUP C
HONDURAS
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 25/1
Coach: Fabian Coito
Star Player: Emilio Izaguirre
One to watch: Anthony Lozano
Graeme’s view: “Honduras have good experience, and although an ageing squad they have a good chance of progressing.”
JAMAICA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 12/1
Coach: Theodore Whitmore
Star Player: Leon Bailey
One to watch: Kevon Lambert
Graeme’s view: “A pretty average Jamaica squad, but when you add a top-class talent like Leon Bailey into the mix, that can make all the difference – if Bailey’s plays well, the Reggae Boyz have a chance here.”
EL SALVADOR
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 50/1
Coach: Carlos de los Cobos
Star Player: Andre Flores
One to watch: Juan Barahona
Graeme’s view: “El Salvador are a good solid team, no superstars but they will not be an easy opposition.”
CURACAO
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 250/1
Coach: Remko Bicentini
Star Player: Cuco Martina
One to watch: Kenji Gorre
Graeme’s view: “Curacao are a fascinating side, in existence for less than 10-years they benefit hugely from their Dutch links and they could be real dark horses here.”
GROUP D
USA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 11/8
Coach: Gregg Berhalter
Star Player: Christian Pulisic
One to watch: Weston McKennie
Graeme’s view: “No denying USA’s talent, the likes of Pulisic and McKennie have huge ability – and they should put up a good defence of their title.”
PANAMA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 14/1
Coach: Julio Dely Valdes
Star Player: Armando Cooper
One to watch: Michael Murillo
Graeme’s view: “Panama are a solid outfit, a very good team and should be respected – they will make life difficult but I don’t see them making a huge impact.”
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 40/1
Coach: Dennis Lawrence
Star Player: Khaleem Hyland
One to watch: Levi Garcia
Graeme’s view: “A Trinidad & Tobago side who are building – they are missing their star players from previous years, and will struggle to make a big impact here.”
GUYANA
Tournament odds from BoyleSports – 200/1
Coach: Michael Johnson
Star Player: Neil Danns
One to watch: Stephen Duke-McKenna
Graeme’s view: “An interesting squad for the debutants, they have some experience and talent from their English based players and could cause a few problems.”