The stage is set for the USMNT and Guatemala to meet in a 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal match. The United States team has reached this stage despite competing without some of their prominent star players. They advanced from the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, Guatemala has performed strongly as underdogs to secure their place in the semifinals, most recently eliminating Canada with a 6-5 win on penalties in their quarterfinal tie.
The match is scheduled to take place at Energizer Park in St. Louis. According to the latest betting odds, the USMNT is listed as the favorite at -375, while Guatemala is the underdog at +950. A draw after 90 minutes is priced at +475, and the line for the total number of goals is set at 2.5.
Soccer expert Martin Green from SportsLine has analyzed the matchup. Green has a proven track record in sports betting, having covered soccer worldwide for many years. He has demonstrated profitability across various competitions.
Green has completed his analysis for the USMNT vs. Guatemala game and has made his picks.
Why Guatemala Can Win:
While seen as significant underdogs for this encounter, the expert notes that Guatemala has demonstrated an ability to grind out results against more favored teams. Key wins against Jamaica and Guadeloupe in the group stage were vital to their progression. In the quarterfinals, they fought back from an early deficit to hold a strong Canadian side to a 1-1 draw before winning on penalties.
Against Canada, who were heavy favorites, Guatemala impressively dominated statistics such as possession, shots, shots on target, and pass accuracy. Replicating such a performance could make them a tricky and potentially dangerous opponent for the United States.
Why the USMNT Can Win:
The Stars and Stripes have advanced in this competition thanks to significant goal-scoring contributions from players like Malik Tillman, Maximilian Arfsten, and Diego Luna, complemented by crucial saves from goalkeeper Matt Freese. This has been achieved despite the absence of key figures such as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
Expert Martin Green acknowledged that the USMNT`s defense appeared vulnerable against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals but believes they are capable of elevating their performance. Green commented, “This is by no means a vintage USMNT team, as so many key players are missing, but they should still have enough quality to beat Guatemala.” He highlighted the team`s consistent domination of possession throughout their four matches in the tournament, suggesting that players like Tillman, Luna, and Patrick Agyemang have the potential to lead the team to the final.
Expert Analysis and Picks:
Green has conducted a thorough breakdown of the USMNT vs. Guatemala match from all angles. He has identified specific picks for the game, including one offering a favorable plus-money payout.
The article provides an overview of the upcoming semifinal match, highlighting the expert analysis and factors influencing the potential outcome, based on insights from SportsLine expert Martin Green.
