USA Aim to Complete CONCACAF Nations League Three-Peat

Mexico vs USA

The USA have a chance to do something special here in the CONCACAF Nations League. If they win it all again on Sunday, they will become the first nation in tournament history to successfully complete a three-peat.

However, standing in their way are Mexico, who are still a force to be reckoned with in the region and have a chip on their shoulders.

After failing short against the Stars and Stripes in recent encounters, this is El Tri’s chance to finally put them away once and for all and win their first silverware since last year’s Gold Cup.

The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds expect a hard-fought contest between these two bitter rivals, so football fans should expect nothing less from Mexico and the USA, as both are capable of putting up CONCACAF Nations League 2024 highlights at the AT&T Stadium on Sunday.

Talking points

Berhalter can silence his Team USA haters

The “Gregg Berhalter Out” movement is in full swing once more after the USA barely escaped Jamaica yesterday in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals.

When Greg Leigh scored in just one minute for Jamaica, the Stars and Stripes played catch-up all night long, but they eventually came through, thanks to a stroke of luck and the heroics of one of their subs.

Cory Burke’s own goal in added time gave the Americans the jolt they needed against the Jamaicans, which pushed the game to extra time, and Haji Wright recorded two goals in 14 minutes to complete the comeback.

Haji Wright wasn’t supposed to be here for the USA because he was headed on vacation following his FA Cup heroics for Coventry against Wolves a week ago. However, a roster spot opened for him when Josh Sargent had to be omitted from the squad due to a sprained ankle.

Wright is not the only dangerous front player for the USA, as they also have the likes of Ricardo Pepi, Gio Reyna, Chrisian Pulisic, and Timothy Weah, among others.

Say what you want about Gregg Berhalter and his coaching, but he has been getting it done for the Stars and Stripes.

Lozano’s time to shine for Mexico

Mexico, on the other hand, are coming off a wire-to-wire 3-0 win over Panama, as Edson Alvarez, Julian Quinones, and Orbelin Pineda all found the back of the net.

Since squandering an early 1-0 lead in the 2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League final against the USA, Mexico have won their last four matches in the competition when striking first, and they haven’t conceded a single goal in any of those victories.

Like the Stars and Stripes, El Tri are also loaded with weapons, as they have the likes of Hirving Lozano, Santiago Gimenez, Orbelin Pineda, Julian Quinones, and Uriel Antuna up front, while Edson Alvarez and the evergreen Guillermo Ochoa keep it tight at the back.

Hirving Lozano, with 18 goals in 69 caps for El Tri, came off the bench against Panama last night, but he might get the starting nod on Sunday to replace Henry Martin.

History

There have been 76 total matchups between Mexico and the USA, and the former leads the all-time head-to-heads. El Tri have won 36 times, whereas the Stars and Stripes have won 23, and the remaining 17 games were draws.

However, the USA are in much better form because they’re on a six-game undefeated run against their CONCACAF archrivals (W4, D2), having last tasted defeat to Mexico in a 3-0 scoreline in New Jersey in September 2019.

Their last encounter was on June 2023 in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals, where the USA cruised to a 3-0 victory as Christian Pulisic (brace) and Ricardo Pepi both found the back of the net.

Betting Tip

As mentioned earlier, the CONCACAF Nations League 2024 odds predict a tight affair between Mexico and the USA. The Stars and Stripes have a slight advantage at 2.28, whereas El Tri are not far behind at 2.88, and a draw is at 2.98 odds in the 1X2 market.

While these two teams are stacked with talent, their fixtures tend to be low-scoring games, and such a trend might continue this weekend. So, other than our recommended bet above, you may think about going for Under 2.25 at 1.79, Total Goal 2-3 at 1.83, or Total Goal 0-1 at 2.55 as alternatives. Meanwhile, a Correct Score of 3-0 in favour of the USA – the result of their last meeting – is on a generous offer at 24.00, which you might consider if you fancy them winning it all again.

 

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