Gold Cup semifinals schedule, TV listings, odds, picks: US and Mexico favored to meet in final
All four favorites won in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup, which has left the United States and Mexico on a collision course to make the final. Both teams are heavy favorites to advance from Wednesday’s semifinals.
The Americans were not convincing in a win against Canada on Sunday that ended in a penalty shootout. The U.S. survived thanks to goalkeeper Matt Turner saving the first two penalties and Canada’s fourth try going off the crossbar.
Meanwhile, Mexico had a solid 2-0 win against Costa Rica on Saturday and is still the favorite to win the tournament.
In the semifinals, Mexico takes on Jamaica while the U.S. plays Panama.
CONCACAF Gold Cup odds
Mexico has been the tournament favorite throughout, but is now even money to win it. El Tri was +110 before the quarterfinal. Despite barely getting past Canada, the U.S. moved from +275 to +150 in the odds. Jamaica and Panama are still longshots to lift the trophy.
Gold Cup semifinals
USA vs. Panama
Kickoff: Wednesday, July 12, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Univision
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Odds to advance: USA -400, Panama +250
It was survive and advance for the Americans on Sunday. Meanwhile, Panama was absolutely dominant against Qatar on Saturday. Panama scored inside 20 minutes and put the match away with a hat trick from Ismael Díaz, with the goals coming within nine minutes, in a 4-0 victory.
Turner was the star for the Americans, but Canada got two goals on two shots on target (the first coming from a penalty). The U.S. dominated possession and outshot Canada 21-5.
The question ahead of Wednesday is whether Panama is better than that Canada team. Panama is a 91st minute goal from El Salvador away from holding a perfect record this tournament.
Panama also has an extra day of rest and didn’t play extra time like the U.S. Panama has made two Gold Cup finals, losing both in 2005 and 2013.
Mexico vs. Jamaica
Kickoff: Wednesday, July 12, 10 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Univision
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Odds to advance: Mexico -400, Jamaica +270
Coming off a loss to Qatar to close out group play, Mexico put in arguably its best performance of the Gold Cup in a 2-0 win against Costa Rica. Mexico didn’t take the lead until the second half, but limited Los Ticos to one shot on target for the match.
Jamaica could be a step up in competition though. The Reggae Boyz have allowed just two goals all tournament, matching Mexico for fewest of any team in the field. On top of that, Jamaica has a lot of talent in its attack.
These teams were in the same group in Nations League play and played to a pair of draws, 1-1 in Kingston in June of 2022 and 2-2 at Azteca Stadium in March. Michail Antonio (West Ham) and Demarai Gray (Everton) were not in the lineup for Jamaica in either of those matches. Gray, who is taking part in his first competition with Jamaica, assisted on the only goal in the quarterfinal against Guatemala.
Jamaica has now made the semifinals in four of the past five Gold Cups, even beating Mexico in one of those in 2017. That was the last time Jamaica defeated Mexico.
