Gold Cup group stage pick

Costa Rica has been one of the most consistent sides in CONCACAF for over a decade.

Thanks to the presence of veterans such as Joel Campbell, Keylor Navas, and Bryan Ruiz, Los Ticos were a formidable side in North and Central America and could always be counted on to challenge the region’s heavyweights in any competition.

Costa Rica vs. Panama prediction

(8:30 p.m. ET)

But most of Costa Rica’s golden generation is gone, and the team will have to prepare for a transition period as we get into the 2026 World Cup cycle.

It’s hard to imagine that Los Ticos will come close to replicating the success that Navas and company were able to achieve for such a small country.

Like Costa Rica, Panama’s Gold Cup roster is quite lacking in recognizable names outside of the region.

There are a few players plying their trade overseas, and Los Canaleros have plenty of experience, but there are not going to be many players on this roster that strike fear into what should be a well-drilled Costa Rica defense.

Neither one of these teams is likely to employ a marauding approach to this contest, and a tie would suit both sides just fine, so bettors can play into Monday’s match in Florida being a bit of a slog.

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A play on the draw or the Under is perfectly logical, but I’ll take a shot on a big price and bet this game to finish nil-nil.

THE PLAY: Panama-Costa Rica Under 0.5 goals OR game to finish 0-0 (+600, FanDuel)