Is American soccer back in business? Jurgen Klinsmann has faced all kinds of criticism since taking over the men's national team in 2011, but spirits were lifted Wednesday night when the US beat Ecuador 1-0 in a friendly at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. This wasn't your familiar USMNT line-up, either. This was a younger, hungrier squad; Darlington Nagbe, one of 10 players on the 23-man roster aged 25 or under, scored the winner in the 90th minute, giving him his first-ever international goal.
Klinsmann may be tempted to put some of his veterans back in the starting XI when the US faces Colombia in the opening match of the Copa America Centenario, coming up on June 3 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. But having this new well of young players to draw from will only benefit Klinsmann. It might even make the US worth a bet at +160 on home soil against the powerful Cafeteros (+180). At the very least, it will give draw bettors an added boost at +215.
Tent City
The USMNT needs all the help it can get. At press time, the Americans are third out of the four Group A teams on the World Football Elo Ratings. Colombia leads the way at No. 5, followed by Costa Rica at No. 20, the US at No. 29 and Paraguay at No. 32. If it weren't for home-field advantage, the USMNT might not even be expected to advance to the Knockout stage alongside Colombia.
So who's more likely to supplant them: Costa Rica, or Paraguay? They'll meet June 4 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, now known as Camping World Stadium for sponsorship purposes, and the odds for this match are tight as a drum. Costa Rica was a very slim favorite at +170, with Paraguay at +180, but now both are being offered at +180 as we go to press. The draw is priced at just +195. Recent results suggest Paraguay might be the stronger choice after drawing with Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador during 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Odds for the remaining four Group A Centenario matches will be posted as things develop.
*Odds as of May 30, 2016