2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting Preview on USA vs Martinique

Group B of the 2017 Gold Cup has given much to talk about. Right now, the team that was thought of not doing much in this tournament is Martinique, which leads Group B. The US Soccer team stands in third place of the group table. For Wednesday’s game, the USA is the soccer odds favorite to beat Martinique in this CONCACAF Gold Cup matchup.

2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting Preview on USA vs Martinique

We’ll meet for just the 2nd time Wednesday.

Look back at the first #USAvMTQ, featuring two @BMcBride20 strikes.https://t.co/D2MV5NBYzZ — U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 10, 2017

When: Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 9:00pm ET Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL TV: FOX / UDN Radio: None Live Stream: Fox Sports Go CONCACAF Gold Cup Odds: USA -2+107, ML -475, U 3 -110 / Martinique +2-127, ML +1400, O 3 -110 / Draw +575

CONCACAF Gold Cup Game Analysis

Bruce Arena decided to bring the second string to the 2017 Gold Cup, so that he could see what younger players he should consider taking to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and that certainly showed in the Group B opener against Panama. Yes, Dom Dwyer scored the first goal of the game to give the Yanks an early lead, but their defense surrendered the equalizer, and if Brad Guzan hadn’t made some acrobatic saves, Panama would have pulled off a shocking win. Now the United States meets Martinique in need of a win in order to secure passage to the knockout round. Martinique will not be a pushover in any sense of the word, seeing their own potential to move on after a 2-0 drubbing of Nicaragua in their group play opener.

Why should you bet on the United States?

The United States showed their Gold Cup lineup in a friendly against Ghana, and they picked up a 2-1 win over the Black Stars. The midfield trifecta of Joe Corona, Dax McCarty and Kellyn Acosta did a terrific job maintaining possession and delivering service against Ghana, but they did not look solid at all against Panama, and then the young back line gave up way too many chances. It’s important to remember that Panama, who almost qualified for the World Cup in 2014, is a much tougher opponent than Martinique and Nicaragua.

Has Bruce Arena Made a Difference for the US?

One thing that Arena has brought to the team during his short tenure is a belief that one can move on from a mistake and then make a good play in the next opportunity, which should help a young team regroup from some errors against Panama. That is a change from the high-pressure philosophy that Jurgen Klinsmann had brought to the American team, which led to a negative response from the team’s leadership. Keep an eye on Acosta (FC Dallas), who is expected to make his case to join the World Cup squad in this tournament. He was not sharp at all with the ball, either on offense or defense, against Panama, but I expect him to straighten things up in the second game.

Why should you bet on Martinique?

Martinique’s manager is David Regis, who played for the United States but hails from Martinique. He played for Bruce Arena on the United States squad that won the Gold Cup back in 2002, so he is familiar with Arena’s approach to the game. He brings the same sort of optimism — and the same sort of bravado — that made Klinsmann a hit early in his tenure with the United States, and which delivered some impressive results in the 2014 World Cup and in friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands. Watch Kevin Parsemain (Seattle Sounders), who is the most experienced striker on the Martinique side. He has recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him for most of three seasons, and he scored a goal on Saturday against Nicaragua that should give him confidence against the United States. If you like Martinique, then you think the United States’ defense will still be shaky — and lack confidence against a Martinique side that doesn’t match up with Panama in terms of talent. You also think that the midfield trio for the United States will still look less than sharp with the ball.

Previous Results

USA

• Tie – July 8th, 2017 vs. Panama. Score: 1-1.
• Win – July 1st, 2017 vs. Ghana. Score: 2-1.
• Tie – June 11th, 2017 vs. Mexico. Score 1-1.
• Win – June 8th, 2017 vs. Trinidad and Tobago. Score: 2-0.
• Tie – June 3rd vs. Venezuela. Score: 1-1.

Martinique

• Win – July 8th, 2017 vs. Nicaragua. Score: 2-0.
• Loss – June 25th, 2017 vs. French Guiana. Score: 1-0.
• Loss – June 22nd, 2017 vs. Curacao. Score: 2-1.
• Win – October 11th, 2016 vs. Trinidad and Tobago. Score: 0-0 (2-0 Penalties)
• Win – October 8th, 2016 vs. Dominican Republic. Score: 2-1.

Predicted Lineup

USA

• 1-Brad Guzan
• 2-Jorge Villafaña
• 3-Omar Gonzalez
• 5-Matt Besler
• 6-Kelyn Rowe
• 10-Joe Corona
• 11-Alejandro Bedoya (capt.)
• 13-Dax McCarty
• 14-Dom Dwyer
• 19-Graham Zusi
• 23-Kellyn Acosta

Martinique

• 23-Kevin Olimpa
• 8-Jordy Delem
• 3-Antoine Jean-Baptiste
• 5-Karl Vitulin
• 21-Sebestian Cretinoir
• 20-Stephane Abaul
• 18-Jean-Emmanuel Nedra
• 19-Daniel Herelle
• 17-Kevin Parsemain
• 11-Johan Audel
• 12-Joann Arquin

Final USA vs. Martinque CONCACAF Gold Cup Prediction

It would be pretty crazy to see Martinique taking the win and pretty much eliminate the US team, but comparing the squads, that seems unlikely. I see the United States rebounding from some of the sluggish tendencies that cost them against Panama, both in terms of failing to create chances as well as to defend against attacks into the back third. I predict a 3-1 win for the United States as they look to surge back to the top of Group B. This is game to watch for sure on Wednesday.