The United States Men's National team is about set to engage in a couple crucial World Cup qualifiers in the Hex. But before playing against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico in the duels that count, Bruce Arena's team will take on Venezuela in a quick tune-up match in Salt Lake City.
At 10 p.m. ET, tune into FOX Sports 1 for live television coverage of this soccer match on Sunday, June 3, 2017, at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
USA -175
Venezuela +500
Draw +280
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
The Americans are favored in most of the matches they play at home, and this isn't an exception. They're playing against one of the lesser teams in South America and really should be able to get the job done. That said, a price of -175 isn't all that convincing and is indicative of the fact that the USMNT hasn't always lived up to its expectations.
The total of 2.5 features vig at -140 on the under, and that tells the tale of what has the potential to be a slog of a 90 minutes.
Roster Analysis
The biggest question we have for this Venezuela team is what it's going to do in net. Alain Baroja has the greater experience with 13 appearances for his nation, but Jose Contreras is the future of this team at just 22-years old. With Venezuela sitting on just six points thus far in World Cup qualifying and officially eliminated from contention for the World Cup in Russia, there's nothing to lose but to let the kid play.
Arena meanwhile, has called a full squad to the American team. We might get a good idea in this match what might be ahead in the two matches that really matter next week? Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore figure to be playing up front, but will Bobby Wood have a spot as an attacking midfielder as well? And there's still the always-interesting question in the midfield. Vets like Alejandro Bedoya, Fabian Johnson and Dax McCarty? Or youngsters like Darlington Nagbe, Christian Pulisic and Kellyn Acosta? The only thing for sure in the midfield is that Michael Bradley is going to be out there, most likely playing at the back of a four-man diamond where he has been most effective.
Recent Form
The U.S. hasn't been bad since Arena has taken over for the dismissed Jurgen Klinsmann. The team has two draws and two wins. The most important victory was a 6-0 win over Honduras to get the club off to mark in World Cup qualifying after losing to both Costa Rica and Mexico to officially see the end of Klinsmann. The Yanks did draw with Panama on the road, but any points you can get away from home in the Hex are good points.
As far as Venezuela is concerned, it's been a decidedly tough year. World Cup qualifying since last September hasn't gone well with just one win and two draws in nine fixtures. No one ever really believed that Venezuela was going to get to Russia, but last year's Copa America Centenario was thought to be a nice step in the right direction. The Venezuelans picked up wins against Jamaica and Uruguay before a draw against Mexico to get out of the group stage of the competition before bowing out against Argentina.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
This Venezuela team is a shell of the one that played in Copa America last year, and that seems to be bad news. The Americans are still getting used to life with Arena, and that has often put the team in bad offensive positions. This could end up being another slow one, but we have a hunch there will be a moment of brilliance from someone like Altidore to ultimately win things for the hosts.
Soccer Odds: United States 1, Venezuela 0
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