A first-half brace from Diego Luna was enough for the United States to survive and advance to the Gold Cup final, beating Guatemala 2-1 in a typically tight Concacaf affair.
The XI
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino didn't make a single change to the squad that beat Costa Rica in penalties.
USMNT 🇺🇸 Starting XI vs Guatemala 🇬🇹 Freese; Arfsten, Ream ©, Richards, Freeman; de la Torre, Adams, Berhalter; Luna, Agyemang, Tillman BENCH: Turner, Tolkin, Zimmerman, McGlynn, Sullivan, B.Aaronson, Robinson, Harriel, P.Aaronson, McKenzie, White
— SixOneFive Soccer (@sixonefivesoccer.com) 2025-07-02T21:49:59.640Z
On the pitch
Diego Luna continued his breakout tour. After scoring the opener against Costa Rica, the Real Salt Lake attacker picked up right where he left off. Luna pounced on a rebound following a shot from Luca de la Torre, reacting quicker than any Guatemala defender to poke the ball home early.
Just 11 minutes later, Luna made it a brace, throwing a couple step-overs at his defender before cutting in on his right foot and burying the ball in the bottom corner from the top of the box.
DIEGO LUNA ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 🔥
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2025
HE SCORES HIS SECOND OF THE NIGHT FOR THE @USMNT! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yfTUn15R1T
The US had chances to extend the lead. Patrick Agyemang couldn't finish after being played through on goal by substitute Brenden Aaronson. Later, he got a head on a pinpoint cross from Alex Freeman, but could only direct the effort straight at goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro.
Late in the match, Guatemala pulled a goal back to make things interesting. Olger Escobar picked up the ball in the box after a defense-splitting run from Arquímides Ordóñez, curling a shot past Matt Freese to cut the lead in half. Despite Guatemala throwing their 'keeper forward for a few late set pieces, as well as forcing Freese into a sprawling save, the US held on for the win.
Goals
- 4' – USA – Diego Luna
- 15' – USA – Diego Luna
- 80' – CTM – Olger Escobar
The big picture
Diego Luna continues to make a case, not just to be included in the 2026 World Cup roster, but to be a fixture in the starting lineup. With so many players failing to take their chances and put the team on their backs, Luna seems up for it every week.
Like most of this tournament, this wasn't a comprehensive performance. After taking the lead, the US found themselves out-passed by Guatemala, who were better in possession for long stretches. They really piled on the pressure in the final 15 minutes, coming close to an equalizer on more than one occasion.
Ultimately it was enough, though. That's been the story of the tournament to date; not great, but enough.
Up next
The USMNT are in their 13th-ever Gold Cup final. They'll take on the winner of Wednesday night's match between Mexico and Honduras in Houston on Sunday night at 5 pm CT.
Stats
Possession: USA 49% – 51% GTM
Passes completed: USA 315 – 325 GTM
Shots: USA 12 – 2o GTM
Shots on goal: USA 7 – 5 GTM
Penalty kicks: USA 0 – 0 GTM
Goals: USA 2 – 1 GTM
Expected goals: USA 1.76 – 1.32 GTM
Fouls: USA 15 – 15 GTM
Yellow cards: USA 4 – 2 GTM
Red cards: USA 0 – 0 GTM
Announced attendance:
