After squeezing by Costa Rica in the quarterfinals, the United States have booked a spot in the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals. Up against a plucky Guatemala side that just knocked out Canada, can they get through to the finals?
Match info
Teams: United States 🇺🇸 vs Guatemala 🇬🇹
Odds: USA (-150), CRC (+500)
Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm CT, Energizer Park, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
TV: FS1 / TUDN
TV Commentary (English): John Strong, Stu Holden & Jenny Taft
Forecast: 87º/67º. 85º at kickoff. Sunny. 1-4 mph winds. 0% chance of rain. 59% humidity.
Head-to-head
United States wins: 16
United States goals: 47
Draws: 6
Guatemala wins: 5
Guatemala goals: 19
Last meeting: USA 4-0 GUA (March 29, 2016 | World Cup Qualifying)
Guatemala 🇬🇹
The numbers
Key Players: Nicholas Hagen (goalkeeper, Columbus Crew), Nicolás Samayoa (defender, Politehnica Iași), Aaron Herrera (defender, DC United), Pedro Altán (midfielder, Municipal), Rubio Rubin (striker, Charleston Battery)
Last match: 1-1 vs Canada (6-5 win on penalties | Gold Cup quarterfinals)
Guatemala snapshot
Guatemala have been the Cinderella story of the tournament. After finishing behind Panama in the group stages, they pulled off one of the biggest results in their national history, knocking Canada out of the Gold Cup in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Former US international Rubio Rubin leads the line for Los Chapines, and his second-half equalizer set the stage for the shootout after Jacob Shaffelburg's first-half red card knocked Canada down to 10 men.
GUATEMALA FINDS THE EQUALIZER 🇬🇹🔥 pic.twitter.com/dWwK39cohU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 29, 2025
Guatemala aren't afraid to possess the ball, but they're also comfortable playing without it. They're energetic and will look to pounce on any mistakes in the final third, but struggle at times to progress the ball from buildup. They also tend to leave big gaps defensively, the type that the USMNT should be able to exploit.
All but eight of their players ply their trade in the Guatemalan top flight. As one of the most domestic-heavy squads at the Gold Cup, they've flown under the radar and have perhaps caught people off guard. While on paper they don't have the top-tier quality to truly battle with the US, they play more than the sum of their parts and cannot be taken lightly.
Predicted XI
United States
The numbers
Key Players: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Malik Tillman (PSV), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
Last match: 2-2 vs Costa Rica (4-3 win in penalties | Gold Cup quarterfinal)
United States snapshot
Against Costa Rica, head coach Mauricio Pochettino tweaked his shape a bit. Sebastian Berhalter played in a hybrid role, sometimes pushing wide on the right but often pinching inside to form a midfield three with Luca de la Torre and Tyler Adams, the latter of whom often dropped into the backline to form a back three. Adding the extra defender this way allowed Alex Freeman to get into much more advanced positions, a role that makes the most of his abilities.
Malik Tillman has thrived this tournament when allowed to receive the ball in between the lines, operating in the space Patrick Agyemang creates. That space was hard to come by against Costa Rica, but should be there in plenty against Guatemala. He'll should have chances to influence the game, but will have to ensure that the final product is on when he gets his looks.
Predicted XI
Pre-match Media
Prediction
Score: USA 3-0 GTM
Scorers: Malik Tillman, Patrick Agyemang, Damion Downs
MOTM: Malik Tillman
Prediction: Guatemala shouldn't pose the same defensive issues as Costa Rica did, and despite their struggles, the USMNT have enough quality in the final third to take advantage. There are no excuses for not winning this match.
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