2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi-Final Picks

It may be a quiet time in the world of soccer at the moment, especially over in Europe. But Gold Cup semi-final picks are still in order. We still have MLS action being played out too, with the regular season yet to be completed. So soccer fans, don’t worry, you can still get in on the action over the summer months.

Gold Cup Semi-Final Picks and Analysis

There is plenty of soccer still going on in North America and the CONCACAF Gold Cup is reaching a crucial stage of the tournament.

However, if you still want your Premier League fix, the transfer window is offering its usual excess of drama as teams are preparing their squads for next season. We recently posted a great article outlining European soccer futures, see who our experts have winning the biggest futbol leagues. 

We had some nail-biting action in the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup, with close games, hammerings and penalty shootouts. Since the Gold Cup is now at the semi-finals, we are taking you through our Gold Cup semi-final picks. Which teams are going to reach the final at SoFi Stadium, California? Find out what we think below! 

What’s Been Happening At the Gold Cup? 

Group Stage Summary – A & B

After the end of June saw the beginning of the Gold Cup take place, we only needed a week and a half of group stage action. As expected, USA and Mexico managed to top Group A and Group B respectively. 

Winning your group is usually pretty important. In theory, it should give you an easier tie in the quarter-finals. Ultimately, you have a better chance of reaching the final.

Jamaica also managed to make it through to the knockouts. The Reggae Boyz went unbeaten in the group stage, sharing the points with the Stars and Stripes in the opening Gold Cup fixture. 

Group B saw invited guests Qatar finish in second, behind eight-time winners Mexico. They managed to bounce back from an opening day defeat to Haiti to qualify. That included a 1-0 win over El Tri in their final group match to secure second place.

Group Stage Summary – C & D

There were some surprises for Group C and D. Panama managed to beat out Costa Rica to top Group C. Los Canaleros are yet to be defeated in the tournament thus far. Could they go all the way in this year’s competition? They are aiming to go one further than their runners-up finishes in 2005 and 2013. Find out if they can reach the final in our Gold Cup semi-final picks below. 

Guatemala were the surprise winners of Group D. Canada were expected to be Group D winners but an impressive display by Guatemala in the group stage saw them enter the quarter-finals. 

It was looking worrying for the Canucks at one stage since they had failed to win a single game at the Gold Cup from their opening two fixtures. However, victory in their third and final group match against Cuba wrapped up their place in the knockouts. 

Group Winners & Runners-up

• Group A Winners: USA, Group A Runners-up: Jamaica
• Group B Winners: Mexico, Group B Runners-up: Qatar
• Group C Winners: Panama, Group C Runners-up: Costa Rica
• Group D Winners: Guatemala, Group D Runners-up Canada

Quarter-Finals 

With the completion of the group stage comes the knockouts. The business end of the tournament. No second chances this time around. If you lose, you’re out! 

Group D winners Guatemala met Group A runners-up Jamaica. Although the Reggae Boyz were heavy favorites for the win, they only did so by a narrow margin. A second half goal from Luton Town defender Amari’i Bell would secure a 1-0 win and their place in the final four. 

Having now qualified for their eighth consecutive Gold Cup semi-finals appearance, Mexico eased past Costa Rica in the quarter-finals. An Orbelin Pineda penalty and a late goal from Erick Sanchez helped El Tri to a 2-0 triumph.

That has now set up a juicy encounter between Jamaica and Mexico in the semi-finals. Stay tuned for our Gold Cup semi-final picks. Our soccer picks are on their way!

We’re Getting To Our Gold Cup Semi-Final Picks

On the other side of the draw, Canada would suffer for failing to top Group D. They were handed a tough quarter-final draw against the US. However, it was a close affair between the two nations. With the scores level at 1-1 through regulation time, we headed into extra time. 

Extra time served up plenty of drama too. We saw two goals go in but the sides still couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of action. The game would need to be settled on a penalty shootout. Arsenal and USA goalkeeper Matt Turner proved to be the hero. He saved two spot kicks and was named Man of the Match as the Stars and Stripes booked their place in the semi-finals. 

The quarter-finals concluded with an emphatic victory for Panama as they defeated Qatar 4-0. Ismael Diaz scored a hat-trick in the match too to help send his side into the final four. A confident display by Los Canaleros. 

Quarter-finals Results 

• Guatemala 0-1 Jamaica
• Mexico 2-0 Costa Rica
• USA 2-2 Canada A.E.T (USA win 3-2 on penalties)
• Panama 4-0 Qatar 

A Background On Our Gold Cup Semi-Final Picks 

Now we’ve concluded our summary of the Gold Cup. It’s time for our Gold Cup semi-final picks! First, let’s take a look at the two semi-final fixtures at the Gold Cup. 

• Jamaica vs Mexico
• USA vs Panama

Jamaica and Mexico met earlier this year, back in March, as they played out a 2-2 draw. That was in the final round of fixtures of the CONCACAF Nations League as Mexico finished ahead of Jamaica in Group A by two points. 

The Reggae Boyz have yet to win a Gold Cup title but did finish as runners-up at the 2015 and 2017 editions. The last time they faced Mexico in Gold Cup action was at the 2017 tournament. Jamaica recorded a 1-0 win in the semi-finals to book their spot in the final. But what will happen this time around?

USA and Panama last met at the Gold Cup in 2019. The Stars and Stripes managed to record a 1-0 triumph at the group stage, courtesy of a lone goal by Jozy Altidore. Los Canaleros have also never won the Gold Cup but have finished as runners-up on two occasions. 

Panama lost both of their two final appearances to the USA. Victory in the semi-final here would provide some form of vengeance and they look in as good a form as ever to do so. 

Gold Cup Semi-Final Picks – Jamaica vs Mexico 

Here is my Gold Cup semi-final picks for Jamaica vs Mexico:

Odds for Jamaica vs Mexico 

• Jamaica (+420)
• Mexico (-167)
• Draw (+280)

It’s Mexico who are the heavy favorites here. They are looking to reach their third consecutive final at the Gold Cup and having won the tournament a record eight times, I’m expecting them to get past the Reggae Boyz here. 

Best Bet: Mexico (-167)

Gold Cup Semi-Final Picks – USA vs Panama 

Here is my Gold Cup semi-final picks for USA vs Panama: 

Odds for USA vs Panama 

• USA (-172)
• Panama (+440)
• Draw (+280)

Current tournament holders USA have been far from convincing in the tournament, despite reaching the semi-finals. Without a number of their global superstars, results haven’t been as compelling as they would like.

Nevertheless, they remain favorities for the win. However, it won’t be easy against a Panama team full of confidence and who are yet to be beaten in this year’s competition.

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