The US Men's National Team (USMNT) faces a challenging opportunity in the upcoming Copa America. With the tournament set on home soil, many fans are wondering if the USA can leverage the home advantage to secure a historic win. But how realistic are these expectations, and what are the odds saying about the USMNT's chances?
While the USMNT looks good this year, is it enough to dominate throughout Copa America?
Must be 21+. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER.
As of now, the odds for the USMNT to win the Copa America stand at +1200, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. This places them as the fifth favorite just ahead of Mexico at +1400.
In comparison, Columbia sits slightly ahead at +1000, while the tournament favorites are Argentina (+175), Brazil (+225), and Uruguay (+500). So, those are the teams to beat — according to the bookmakers.
To put these odds into perspective, a $100 bet on the USMNT to win it all would result in a $1,400 payout if they win it all in Copa America.
However, anything can happen once the games get underway. It could be a good bet, but it won’t be without it’s challenges for Team USA.
One factor working in favor of the USMNT is their draw into Group C. They will start to work through the bracket against Bolivia (+20,000) on June 23, a team ranked 85th in the world. Following that, they will face Panama (+20,000), ranked 45th, on June 27. Both of these matches are considered easily winnable for the USMNT, which we expect to advance to the knockout stage if they secure victories in these games.
The final group match against Uruguay on July 1 presents a bit steeper of a challenge. However, if the US has already secured advancement by this point, they could approach this match with less pressure and solid momentum, possibly rotating the squad to keep key players fresh for the knockout stages.
The USMNT's potential success in Copa America hinges significantly on the performances of their star players. Although the first rounds aren’t overly challenging, they’ll still need these guys to come out swinging.
Tyler Adams, the 25-year-old captain and midfielder, and Christian Pulisic, also 25 and a star forward, will be a major factor for the team. Both players bring a ton of experience from top European leagues and have the capability to influence games at the highest level.
Another thing that the team has going for them is that it’s a one of the more cohesive USMNTs we’ve seen in a while. Many of these players have come up together since their teenage years and are now playing on the biggest platform in the nation. So, for them, it’s business as usual.
Despite our optimism, we’re also seeing that there are several significant hurdles the USMNT must overcome to win Copa America.
The first is psychological. The USMNT is going into the tournament to achieve what hasn’t been done before. The US has never made it past the semifinals, and even then, that’s been years ago. This team full of young talent is going to have to adopt a winning mindset and believe that they can win it all. Of course, this isn’t an impossible task, but it’s one worth noting.
The other major challenge is the competition itself. Argentina, the reigning champions and the world’s top-ranked team, led by none other than Lionel Messi, are the favorites for good reason. Their recent games, including a World Cup victory, makes them the team to beat. Brazil, despite missing Neymar, remains a powerhouse with players like Vinícius Júnior capable of making a huge impact. Uruguay, under new manager Marcelo Bielsa, also poses quite a threat with a well-balanced team.
These are all considerations that USMNT is going to have to think about as they navigate through the tournament. They’re not absolute deal-breakers, but it does mean that it’s not going to be smooth sailing for the US.
Argentina's odds of +175, we think, accurately reflect their status as the tournament favorites. Even then, it might be a bit low because they’re that good. They have a strong squad, and Messi’s presence is, as we all know, a game-changer. Playing part of the tournament in the United States, where Messi now plays for Inter Miami, could also give Argentina a semi-home advantage in terms of fan support.
Brazil, with odds of +225, is a close second favorite. Even without Neymar, the pool of talent in the Brazilian squad is immense. Vinícius Júnior, in particular, has the potential to lead the team to hoist the cup.
Uruguay, at +500, is a team that cannot be underestimated. Marcelo Bielsa's appointment as manager has added new energy to the team. Known for his tactical approach and ability to get the best out of his players, Bielsa could be the catalyst that propels Uruguay to success.
While Mexico is considered a dark horse with odds of +1400, they are not to be overlooked. The unpredictability of El Tri in tournament settings means they could very well be a serious challenge for the USMNT. Despite the current pessimism among its fan base, Mexico has a history of rising to the occasion when it is least expected.
While the odds are stacked against the USMNT, we think it’s okay to be optimistic about them. The combination of home advantage, an excellent group stage draw, and young talent like Adams and Pulisic could see them make a deep run, even deeper than past tournaments.
However, to win the tournament, they will need to overcome some of the best teams in the world, including Argentina and Brazil. It’s not impossible, but it’ll be a tall order.
With that, the USMNT's chances of winning Copa America are slim but not impossible. Their journey will depend on a mix of skill, strategy, mental toughness, and perhaps a bit of luck.
21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-877-770-7867(CO), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-888-532-3500 (VA).