CONCACAF Gold Cup Foes Prepare for Vancouver Vanquishing

Canada vs Honduras

The CONCACAF Gold Cup has arrived and, with it, an opener to appeal to SBOTOP fans who follow football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Given they are separated by 45 places in the FIFA World rankings, most of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 highlights in this clash in Vancouver should belong to Canada. But Honduras are in fine form themselves so can’t be ruled out and rarely go down without a fight.

 

Talking Points

Ahead of this meeting at the BC Place Stadium, Canada can be forgiven for feeling quietly confident about their chances to lift the trophy for the third time and the first since 2000.

Yes, they lost in a penalty shootout to the Ivory Coast last week following a goalless draw – it was only a friendly – but they actually won the inaugural Canadian Shield invitational tournament.

In fact, manager Jesse Marsch has suffered just one defeat in normal time in his last 10 matches in charge of this team, while the men have not lost a match played in Canada since November 2023.

Captain Alphonso Davies will miss this tournament as he recovers from a cruciate ligament tear, while Sam Adekugbe has been ruled out after tearing his Achilles tendon in their match against the Ivorians but, even without their star man, I still can’t see beyond a Canadian side who have experience from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, their first in 36 years.

Since then, they have enjoyed an encouraging debut at the Copa America where they were a few penalty kicks away from securing the bronze medal.

Honduras, who defeated Antigua and Barbuda 2-0 in World Cup qualifying last week, have enjoyed a near perfect year so far, winning four of their five matches played on the international stage so far in 2025.

Over that stretch, manager Reinaldo Rueda has seen his team collect three clean sheets, winning their last four matches by a combined margin of 10-3.

Attacking talent Rigoberto Rivas was a late omission to the Gold Cup squad with an injury with Denil Maldonado also ruled out because of a knock, as Rueda selected Dixon Ramirez and Luis Santamaria to replace them.

Ramirez is actually their only uncapped player in this competition, while Deybi Flores, who features for Canadian side Toronto, is two appearances away from 50 with the national team.

All in all, they have their own experience, but I just feel their opponents of late have not been at the same level as Canada and that will show.

Traditionally slow starters at the Gold Cup, losing four of their previous five opening group games, including a 4-0 defeat to Mexico in their first match two years ago, I think Honduras are in for more disappointment this time around too.

 

History

Considering these nations had not met until 1980, you may be surprised to hear they have met 28 times in total. Honduras have won 12 of them, including the very first meeting in a home friendly in November of that year which resulted in a 2-0 win.

They triumphed in the first four games actually, including a World Cup qualifier 11 months later when Carlos Cabellero and Jose Figueroa scored the goals (Ian Bridge replied for Canada) in a 2-1 victory which sealed their place at the following summer’s tournament.

They actually fared well in Spain that summer, drawing 1-1 against the hosts and Northern Ireland, before being narrowly eliminated after a 1-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.

Canada have won nine of their meetings with Honduras, most recently in March 2023 when they turned on the style in a CONCACAF Nations League group match in Toronto.

Two goals in the opening 11 minutes from Cyle Larin set them on their way to a 4-1 success with Jonathan David and Jonathan Osorio also on the scoresheet.

Jorge Benguche grabbed the Canadian consolation. In addition, there have been seven draws.

Their last meeting in Honduras went the way of the home side, also in the CONCACAF Nations League, with Kevin Lopez and Kervin Arriaga the goal-getters in a 2-1 win. David later pulled one back for the Canadians.

 

Betting Tip

I cannot see past Canada in this CONCACAF Gold Cup opener and neither can the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 betting odds.

They are priced 1X2 @ 1.29 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.03 which contrasts to Honduras who are on offer 1X2 @ 7.30 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.05. The draw will pay out @ 4.29 while another 4-1 home Canadian success is worth a tidy pay day of @ 21.00 with Correct Score.

I do think this game will be closer but, ultimately, I expect the outcome to be the same. I am edging for a home win as part of a confident bet of Over 2.75 goals @ 2.02.

   

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