The United States men`s national team is just one victory away from reaching the Gold Cup final, where they will face the winner of the match between Mexico and Honduras. Their opponent in this semifinal is Guatemala, a somewhat unexpected finalist instead of the anticipated Canada. This highlights the improvement within Concacaf, demonstrating that any team can achieve a significant result on any given day. The USMNT themselves nearly faced an early exit in their previous encounter with Costa Rica, only advancing thanks to Matt Freese saving three penalties.
That challenging victory should provide a crucial boost for the USMNT as they prepare to meet Guatemala. With Mexico having won the previous edition of the Gold Cup, this tournament presents an opportunity for the USMNT to potentially avenge that loss. Moreover, players on the current roster are actively looking to impress and stake their claim for a place in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Last Meeting
These teams have not faced each other since 2016, and Guatemala has not scored against the USMNT since 2012. While the U.S. defense has had moments of vulnerability, their dominant 4-0 win in that 2016 match suggests a potential outcome for this encounter. Rubio Rubin has been in good form for Guatemala and will require attention from the USMNT defense, but this is a match where the U.S. is expected to score early and potentially secure a comfortable victory.
USMNT Predicted Lineup
USMNT: Matt Freese, John Tolkin, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Luca De La Torre, Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Jack McGlynn, Patrick Agyemang
Player to Watch
Malik Tillman, PSV: Even after missing a penalty in the game against Costa Rica, Malik Tillman may have improved his standing the most during this tournament. With three goals and an assist, Tillman has been a central figure in the USMNT`s run. His strong performances could potentially lead to a move to Bayer Leverkusen. While already considered a likely candidate for the 2026 World Cup squad, displays like these are helping him push for a starting position within the team. If other players can match his performance level during this camp, the USMNT will be in a promising position.
Storyline to Watch
Can the USMNT handle being the favorites? The match against Costa Rica revealed issues such as conceding penalties and defensive lapses, even against a side that wasn`t at full strength. This result carries a degree of concern despite the positive outcome. This is an area the team, under coach Pochettino, needs to address, and a strong, composed performance here would be very beneficial. As the overall competition level increases, the USMNT must focus on performing effectively and avoiding self-inflicted problems.
Prediction
It is predicted that Diego Luna will score early, setting the tone for the match, and the USMNT will control the game from there. Similar to their opening match in the tournament, the outcome could be effectively decided by halftime, with the USMNT scoring multiple goals to comfortably secure their place in the final. Prediction: USMNT 5, Guatemala 0
