The USMNT welcomes Panama to Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Saturday. Kickoff in the international friendly is set for 9 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s soccer odds around the USMNT vs. Panama odds, and make our best soccer picks and predictions.
New USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino will make his debut leading the team. The Americans, 18th in the last FIFA rankings, are coming off a disappointing result, drawing New Zealand 1-1 in Cincinnati on Sept. 10. The USMNT’s last tournament resulted in a group stage exodus in Copa America, losing to Panama 2-1 following an 18th-minute red card to F Timothy Weah in 1 of those 3 games.
The Panamanians, who are 37th in the FIFA rankings, have not played since a 5-0 quarterfinal loss to Colombia in Copa América on July 6. They did have a much better tournament showing than the USMNT. Panama lost to Uruguay 3-1, beat the USMNT 2-1, and finished up the group stage with a 3-1 win over Bolivia to qualify for the quarterfinal where they were throttled by Colombia.
The U.S. has an all-time 17-3-7 mark against their Central American counterparts since the 1st meeting in 1993. Following Saturday’s contest, the USA heads to Guadalajara to visit El Tri on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET.
World class soccer coverage all in one place: Get ESPN+
USMNT vs. Panama odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of soccer odds. Lines last updated Friday at 10:58 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: USMNT -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Panama +525 (bet $100 to win $525) | Draw +320 (bet $100 to win $320)
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -125 | U: -115)
USMNT vs. Panama picks and predictions
Prediction
USMNT 3, Panama 1
Moneyline (ML)
PASS.
Many of the top USMNT players should be in action in this game, including star F Christian Pulisic, who could start under his new coach and see 70-plus minutes.
With that excitement should come a result; however, the USMNT are far too expensive to play to win outright. One would find better value in playing that their offense helps push the total Over, which is the suggested route here.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 2.5 (-125).
If the Panama defense showed anything during Copa America, it is that, against quality opponents, it is going to struggle immensely. It gave up 3 goals to Uruguay to open the tournament and then was eliminated by allowing 5 to Colombia. While its offense was nothing too impressive, it did net 4 goals in the group stage and scored in every game. Each of its 4 Copa America matches went Over this total.
The USMNT should see some new and hopefully improved tactics offensively. They are 2-2 O/U this total in their last 4 games. Their game with Panama went north of this total as 19 shots were tallied. The USMNT has allowed a goal in its last 4 games as well. Considering those trends, take OVER 2.5 (-125).
It might even be worthwhile to consider something on the Alternative Over 3.5 (+196) for a chance to double up.
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful Game.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter/X. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
