Had the United States finished the job at the Gold Cup, they probably wouldn't even be playing this match on Friday. Instead, the Americans had a miserable finish at the Gold Cup, and they are going to be forced into a Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico the fall.
With that 90 minutes looming, Jurgen Klinsmann has called up 23 men to come together to take on Peru on Friday in a friendly with huge implications for the USMNT.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Americans are only -130 to win this match SU, which is a stunning revelation for a team which was an odds-on favorite to win the Gold Cup going into the semifinals against Jamaica. The over/under is understandable somewhat high considering the fact that this is a friendly with a lot to prove for the U.S. The number is set at 2.5 and -140 vig on the over.
U.S.A. ROSTER ANALYSIS
The Americans came into this match with one goal and one goal only. They need to win to get in the best form they can heading into Mexico.
That's why Andrew Wooten is getting his first call up to the Men's National Team after scoring five goals in five games for SV Sandhausen. That's why Tim Howard, in spite of the fact that he was called back to the team, won't be playing against Peru. That's why Bobby Wood is here. That's why Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey aren't.
Klinsmann needs to find the best 11 Americans he can for that Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico, and he is going to use plenty of mixing and matching in this one until he finds the desired results.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"This is really now time for the guys to make a really strong impression that they understand the situation we're in because of what happened in the Gold Cup. These games are not about developing things for the future. This is about proving a point towards the Mexico game." – United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann on why this match is being played against Peru
RECENT FORM
Peru has a talented side, one which placed third in Copa America earlier in the summer. The keys to try to stop for the Americans are Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero, who have combined to put 43 goals in the back of the net for their country up front.
The Peruvians had a great run in Chile at Copa America, beating Venezuela, Bolivia and Paraguay.
The last we saw of the United States, the team was lucky to finish third in the Gold Cup after coming back from down 1-0 against Panama. The Americans were, of course dismissed from that tournament in a shocking 2-1 loss to Jamaica. Prior to that though, the U.S. had gone nine straight matches without a defeat.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Peruvians are going to be as sharp as could be in this match, and it's so obvious to see that.
The Americans have had massive troubles with counterattacking teams which leave two up front together, and that's exactly what Peru is going to bring to the table.
Without Dempsey, goals are going to come from relatively unknown sources. There is plenty of talent here to try to make something happen, but Jozy Altidore hasn't played a good game for his country in seemingly years, and DeAndre Yedlin just doesn't feel like he can do this all on his own on this stage yet.
The pressure is going to get to the United States in this match, and in the end, we suspect Peru will end itself a draw in D.C.
United States 1, Peru 1
The soccer lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook with the United States lined as a -130 moneyline favorite and a total of 2.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between the United States and Peru is scheduled for Friday, September 4, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
