Argentina vs. USA Betting Odds Preview, Copa America Prediction

The United States can become the second host country to play in the Copa America championship game in as many years but face long odds Tuesday when they meet tournament favorite Argentina in the semifinals at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The Americans are trying to follow defending champion Chile’s lead from 2015, and sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark have them listed as big +600 underdogs (bet $100 to win $600). Meanwhile, the Argentinians will be looking to make the final for the fourth time in their last five appearances, including the second year in a row.

Match Odds: Argentina -210, USA +600, Draw +325 (Matchup Report)

The United States is already guaranteed to at least tie its best-ever finish in the Copa America tournament, taking fourth in 1995 after losing 1-0 to Brazil in the semifinals and 4-1 to Colombia in the third-place game. An upset win over Argentina would certainly rank as one of the country’s biggest victories of all time on the men’s side, and an effort like the Americans had against the Brazilians 21 years ago would not be entirely shocking.

In fact, they defeated the Argentinians for the first time 3-0 back in the 1995 Copa America tournament to win Group C.

However, this is a much different Argentina squad led by Lionel Messi. The Argentinians lost 4-1 to the Chileans in a penalty shootout for the Copa America title a year ago after they were deadlocked 0-0 following extra time. Messi was the only player to score for his country in the shootout, and he has recovered nicely from a back injury to again shine brightly this year as one of the best players in the Copa America Centenario.

Starting for the first time in the quarterfinals against Venezuela, Messi tallied one goal and two assists in a 4-1 win. In the previous game, he came off the bench to score a hat-trick versus Panama in group play.

For the United States to pull off a victory here, Messi must be held in check. The Americans have played outstanding defense during a three-game winning streak, surrendering only one goal combined over that stretch after knocking out Ecuador 2-1 in the quarters last Thursday.

Offensively, Clint Dempsey has been the tone setter by scoring the first goal in each of the previous three games. If Dempsey can somehow find a way to make it four straight, there will be a tremendous amount of pressure on Argentina considering the strong home-field advantage for the United States.

But that scenario seems unlikely with the Argentinians outscoring their opponents 14-2 so far.

Argentina vs. USA Prediction: 3-1 Argentina

All betting lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. Check out the latest Copa America news.