Canada enters Tuesday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A match against Costa Rica at the top of the group table — the first time they have sat in that position at any time in a Gold Cup since 2009. The Canadiens are underdogs in the CONCACAF Gold Cup betting odds against Costa Rica on Tuesday.
They won their opener against French Guyana, 4-2, and that +2 goal differential has them in first place.
Costa Rica also won their opener over Honduras, but just by a single goal, which is why they look up at Canada. All the Canadian side need is a win or likely even a draw in this second match to make it to the knockout round for the first time since that same 2009 Gold Cup.
When: Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 7:30pm ET Where: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston TV: FS1 / Univision Deportes Radio: None Live Stream: Fox Sports Go Soccer Odds: Costa Rica -½-120 , ML -120, U 2 -110 / Canada +½EV, +400, O 2 -110 / Draw +235
However, Costa Rica has brought their top players, such as Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz. They did give Rodney Wallace (New York City FC) a rare start against Honduras, and it was his assist that led to Marco Urena’s (San Jose) goal in the 39th minute. The loss of Johan Venegas (Minnesota United) to an injury in that game on Friday could lead to some adjustments in their rotation.
While Honduras (Costa Rica’s opponent in their Group A opener) has not played well lately, they did win the Copa Centroamericano to earn their seeded status. They also came to play with Costa Rica, smothering chance after chance and then pushing hard for that equalizer after Costa Rica went up on the board. Wallace made himself a force both on threats out wide and in the center of the field, as he kept moving in and out to keep that ball moving.
With this win to boost their confidence, Los Ticos should have the motivation to control a Canadian side that has gone years without mounting much of a challenge in this tournament.
Under their prior coach, Benito Floro, the team showed a defense-first, only forcing attacks when their defense pried mistakes out of the opposition, and often posting just one striker. Les Rouges have only played two games with Zambrano at the helm.
They also created myriad other chances that teams with more skill on the front end — such as Costa Rica — would likely have put into the net. Canada has a defensive reputation — in nine Gold Cup matches between 2011 and 2015, they permitted only seven goals and posted four clean sheets. If the Canadians can put forth that sort of defensive effort against Costa Rica, a draw is not out of the realm of possibility.
They won their opener against French Guyana, 4-2, and that +2 goal differential has them in first place.
Costa Rica also won their opener over Honduras, but just by a single goal, which is why they look up at Canada. All the Canadian side need is a win or likely even a draw in this second match to make it to the knockout round for the first time since that same 2009 Gold Cup.
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting Preview: Costa Rica vs Canada
“We believe we can beat Costa Rica.” – Octavio Zambrano #CANMNT #GoldCup2017 pic.twitter.com/aCByUQF7fv
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 10, 2017
When: Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 7:30pm ET Where: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston TV: FS1 / Univision Deportes Radio: None Live Stream: Fox Sports Go Soccer Odds: Costa Rica -½-120 , ML -120, U 2 -110 / Canada +½EV, +400, O 2 -110 / Draw +235
Why should you bet on Costa Rica?
A lot of the top-tier CONCACAF teams, such as the United States and Mexico, have basically sent second-string units to this biennial tournament, seeing how some players beyond the top 11 will fare in international competition as they plan their rosters for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.However, Costa Rica has brought their top players, such as Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz. They did give Rodney Wallace (New York City FC) a rare start against Honduras, and it was his assist that led to Marco Urena’s (San Jose) goal in the 39th minute. The loss of Johan Venegas (Minnesota United) to an injury in that game on Friday could lead to some adjustments in their rotation.
While Honduras (Costa Rica’s opponent in their Group A opener) has not played well lately, they did win the Copa Centroamericano to earn their seeded status. They also came to play with Costa Rica, smothering chance after chance and then pushing hard for that equalizer after Costa Rica went up on the board. Wallace made himself a force both on threats out wide and in the center of the field, as he kept moving in and out to keep that ball moving.
With this win to boost their confidence, Los Ticos should have the motivation to control a Canadian side that has gone years without mounting much of a challenge in this tournament.
Why should you bet on Canada?
Young Alphonso Davies (Vancouver) put up a brace in the second half that gave Canada four goals in a Gold Cup game for the first time ever. They had only tallied three goals in Gold Cup play on two separate occasions. The 4-3- 3 system that new coach Octavio Zambrano has put in place for the Canadians has definitely opened up offensive possibilities.Under their prior coach, Benito Floro, the team showed a defense-first, only forcing attacks when their defense pried mistakes out of the opposition, and often posting just one striker. Les Rouges have only played two games with Zambrano at the helm.
Can They Keep the Offense up against one of the stronger sides in CONCACAF?
They do have wins over Curacao (in a friendly) and now French Guyana, but Costa Rica presents a real test. The problem for Canada comes in their defense. French Guyana, who absolutely no one expects to advance to the quarterfinals, put two balls into Canada’s net within two minutes.They also created myriad other chances that teams with more skill on the front end — such as Costa Rica — would likely have put into the net. Canada has a defensive reputation — in nine Gold Cup matches between 2011 and 2015, they permitted only seven goals and posted four clean sheets. If the Canadians can put forth that sort of defensive effort against Costa Rica, a draw is not out of the realm of possibility.
Predicted Starting Lineup
Costa Rica
- 18-Patrick Pemberton
- 15-Francisco Calvo
- 5-Kenner Gutierrez
- 2-Johnny Acosta
- 3-Giancarlo Gonzalez
- 16-Cristian Gamboa
- 20-David Guzman
- 10-Bryan Ruiz
- 13-Rodney Wallace
- 21-Marco Urena
- 12-Joel Campbell
Canada
- 18-Milan Borjan
- 23-Michael Petrasso
- 5-Dejan Jakovic
- 19-Steven Vitória
- 17-Marcel de Jong
- 6-Samuel Piette
- 10-David Junior Hoilett
- 20-Patrice Bernier
- 8-Scott Arfield
- 12-Alphonso Davies
- 9-Lucas Cavallini
Rivalry History
- Games Played: 20
- All-Time Series: Costa Rica 8-4-8
- Current Winning Streak: Costa Rica (1)
- Largest Margin of Victory: Costa Rica. October 13th, 2014. Score: 3-1
- Longest Streak: Costa Rica (2004-2005)
Latest Game History
- July 14th, 2015. CONCACAF Gold Cup. Draw. Score: 0-0
- May 28th, 2013. International Friendly. Costa Rica. Score: 1-0
- July 10th, 2009. CONCACAF Gold Cup. Draw. Score: 2-2
- July 14th, 2015. International Friendly. Draw. Score: 1-1
- July 6th, 2007. CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada. Score: 2-1
