The United States men`s national team is just one victory away from reaching the Gold Cup final, where the winner of the Mexico versus Honduras match awaits. While this semifinal opponent is Guatemala rather than the widely anticipated Canada, it highlights the progress made within Concacaf, demonstrating that any team can triumph on a given day. The USMNT nearly experienced an early exit in their previous encounter against Costa Rica, where goalkeeper Matt Freese was forced to make three crucial penalty saves to keep the team in the tournament.
That hard-fought win against Costa Rica should provide momentum for the USMNT going into this match against Guatemala. With Mexico having claimed the title in the last Gold Cup edition, this tournament offers the USMNT a potential opportunity for redemption. Furthermore, players on the current roster are eager to prove their worth and secure a place in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Latest Encounter
These two sides have not faced each other since 2016, and Guatemala has not managed to score against the USMNT since 2012. Although the U.S. defense has shown vulnerabilities at times, the history, including a dominant 4-0 USMNT victory in that 2016 meeting, suggests how this game could unfold. Rubio Rubin has been in promising form for Guatemala and will be a player the USMNT defense needs to monitor closely, but this match presents an opportunity for the U.S. to score multiple goals early and control the game towards a comfortable win.
Predicted USMNT Starting Eleven
- Matt Freese
- John Tolkin
- Tim Ream
- Chris Richards
- Alex Freeman
- Tyler Adams
- Luca De La Torre
- Diego Luna
- Malik Tillman
- Jack McGlynn
- Patrick Agyemang
Key Player Focus
Malik Tillman, PSV: Despite missing a penalty in the Costa Rica game, Malik Tillman might be the player whose reputation has improved the most throughout this tournament. With three goals and one assist, Tillman has been a vital presence in the USMNT`s progress and his performances could potentially lead to a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. While Tillman was likely already on the radar for the 2026 World Cup squad, displays like these are helping him push for a starting position. If other players can match his intensity and performance level during this camp, the USMNT will be in a strong position moving forward.
Key Storyline to Watch
Can the USMNT Perform as Favorites? Against Costa Rica, the USMNT created difficulties for themselves by conceding penalties and showing defensive lapses. It is notable that Costa Rica was not even at full strength, which adds a slight layer of concern to the result despite the positive outcome. This is an area the team needs to address under their coach. A strong, composed performance in this semifinal would be highly beneficial. As the level of competition increases, the USMNT must ensure they are not their own biggest obstacle.
Match Prediction
Expect Diego Luna to open the scoring early, setting the tone for the match. From that point, the game should be largely controlled by the USMNT. Similar to their opening match in the tournament, the game could be effectively decided by halftime, with the USMNT scoring a significant number of goals to confirm their place in the final.
Prediction: USMNT 5, Guatemala 0
