2025 Gold Cup, Odds: For Bookmakers, 'USA-Mexico Final Is Preferred'

When Gold Cup futures odds first went up, the idea of a USA vs. Mexico final was quite appealing to bookmakers. With the U.S. men’s national team and El Tri on opposite sides of the bracket, that contest stood a good chance of happening.

Then the U.S. nearly blew up the potential marquee matchup, narrowly surviving a penalty-kick shootout Sunday night vs. Costa Rica. 

But Team USA and Mexico are still on track, as both sides head to Wednesday’s semifinals.

And the bookmakers are grateful.

"A USA-Mexico Final would be great for soccer fans, and we’d expect to see lots of interest, should it happen," said Mark Bickerdike, head of soccer trading for Caesars Sports. "Five out of the top six highest-handle events in the tournament so far involve either USA or Mexico.

"So we’d expect a USA-Mexico final to be huge."

Ahead of the semifinals on FS1, Bickerdike helps dive into Gold Cup betting odds and action.

Perfect Result

The U.S. and Costa Rica were tied 2-2 after regulation. This year, the Gold Cup instituted a new rule: For a knockout match prior to the final, a draw won’t go to overtime, but rather directly to penalty kicks.

So Team USA and Cosa Rica engaged in a riveting session of penalties, with the U.S. winning 4-3 to advance. In three-way betting — wagering on which team wins in regulation, or if regulation time ends in a draw — that was the perfect result for Caesars Sports.

The USMNT was hugely popular in three-way betting. Caesars was hoping to thread the needle of the USA advancing, but not in regulation time. And that’s what happened.

"Draws are always a book-friendly result. This game was certainly no different, as 85% of handle on the 90-minute market was for USA, with only 3.5% coming for the draw,"