Gold Cup 2025, Quarterfinals, Monday, 06/30/2025, 1:00 a.m.
I have visited a verified sports betting provider with a very specific betting intention! In my USA Costa Rica prediction, I am clearly expecting a tough game.
The USA are fielding a B team, as a glance at the squad for this Gold Cup will confirm. On the other hand, the “Ticos” are used to working hard and are particularly strong when it comes to defending.
The Gold Cup is an important continental soccer tournament and is particularly relevant for the USA ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil. It provides a stage to test talent and consolidate structures.
However, after an intense and exhausting 2025/26 season, numerous key players who are expected to play a leading role next year had to be rested.
Others are playing in the Club World Cup – their clubs would not have released them even if they had wanted to.
The good news is that they still made it to the quarter-finals. The US boys impressed in the group stage with three confident wins against Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia, easily qualifying for the knockout stages.
The Costa Rican team may not have any big stars, but they should not be underestimated. The team is performing above average in the Gold Cup, playing with discipline, fighting spirit and defensive stability.
In the group stage, they celebrated two convincing victories and even held favorites Mexico to a remarkable 0-0 draw – a result that deserves respect. It is their team spirit and tactical discipline that make them dangerous.
The US boys should therefore be warned: even without big names, Costa Rica can be a real handful. The quarter-finals will certainly not be a walk in the park.
Costa Rica will in all likelihood stick with their tried-and-tested back five – just as they did in the goalless draw against Mexico and in their last friendly against the US boys in January, which they lost 3-0.
Despite the defeat at the time, the team is likely to stick to its defensive approach, as it provides stability and already made an impression against Mexico. This compact formation makes scoring chances much more difficult and clearly points to a game with few goals.
Anyone expecting a spectacle here could be disappointed – tactical patience will be required to break down this defensive wall.
The US could struggle offensively in the quarterfinals, as key players such as Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Yunus Musah are missing – players who normally provide dynamism and creative impetus in midfield.
Without this trio, there is a noticeable lack of pace and punch in their build-up play. Tyler Adams is a quick and strong tackler, but as virtually the only player capable of setting the tempo in the center, he will struggle to maintain pressure on his own.
It is therefore quite possible that many of the US boys’ attacks will peter out against the dense Costa Rican defense.
I have three possible outcomes in mind, all of which could be entered into the Bet365 app – namely 0-0, 1-0 or 2-0 for the USA. Given the defensive mindset of the “Ticos,” there shouldn’t be any more goals than that.
I even consider a 0-0 half-time score at odds of around 2.55 to be the more elegant solution when it comes to reducing risk without having to forego a decent sports betting payout.
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This effectively means better USA vs. Costa Rica odds and, in the end, a higher payout for the same risk.
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the advantages of an under 3.5 goals bet, even if this offer, at odds of around 1.40, is only suitable as an additional condition on a combination bet slip.
The “Ticos” like to play with a solid defensive wall against this opponent – it wouldn’t be the first time!
After all, only one of the last eight international matches against the US boys broke the 3.5-goal mark. And only in two of those games were the Costa Ricans able to pose for the press in the famous victory pose at the end of the game.
Conclusion: There are many indications that this will be a tough duel that will remain goalless for a long time before the American B team finally finds a gap and beats the opposing keeper.
Costa Rica, on the other hand, lacks the ideas and punch in attack to realistically hope for a real surprise.
One thing is clear: they will fight hard, sit deep and make life difficult for the US team with their disciplined defense. That is exactly how they play – and that is exactly why it is likely to be a game of patience for the US boys.
My USA Costa Rica prediction is therefore: Under 2.5 goals.
