In a thrilling semifinal clash at Energizer Park in St. Louis on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) edged past Guatemala with a hard-fought 2-1 victory to secure their spot in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final. This marked the USMNT’s first appearance in the final since 2021, setting the stage for a showdown against defending champions Mexico in Houston on Sunday, July 6.
The game kicked off with a bang as American star Diego Luna took center stage early, scoring twice within the first 15 minutes to put the hosts comfortably ahead. Luna’s first goal came in the fourth minute after a swift sequence involving Alex Freeman crossing to Malik Tillman, who then laid off a shot attempt by Luca de la Torre. The ball was saved by Guatemala’s goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro, but Luna reacted quickly, switching the ball from his right foot to his left before firing a precise shot over Navarro’s outstretched hand. This marked Luna’s second goal in as many games in the tournament.
Not to be outdone, Luna doubled the lead in the 15th minute with a dazzling solo effort. Receiving a cross-field pass from Tillman about 40 yards out, Luna dribbled past defender José Carlos Pinto with a slick stepover before slotting the ball inside the near post from the edge of the penalty area. His celebration, pointing to his name on the back of his jersey, reflected the confidence and rhythm he has found throughout the competition. Luna’s performance earned him the Man of the Match honors, as he told reporters postgame, “I think it’s just finding the rhythm and being able to get the freedom from the coaching staff and from the team. I know that they are going to have my back and trust of the defensive responsibilities lets me do what I do on the ball.”
Despite the early two-goal deficit, Guatemala showed resilience and fought back fiercely, especially in the latter stages of the match. The 18-year-old Olger Escobar, an emerging talent born in Lynn, Massachusetts, cut the deficit in half in the 80th minute. Escobar received an assist from Arquímides Ordóñez and skillfully cut inside before sliding a shot between US goalkeeper Matt Freese and the far post, marking his second goal of the tournament.
Guatemala’s surge continued into stoppage time when José Morales nearly leveled the score, but Freese was up to the task, parrying Morales’ shot toward the far post in the second minute of added time. Freese’s crucial saves throughout the match, including a kick save on former US player Rubio Rubin in the 34th minute, reinforced his status as a key figure in the USMNT’s run. Notably, Freese also picked up a yellow card in the 77th minute, adding tension with the risk of suspension looming ahead of the final.
The semifinal was also marked by intense physicality, with four yellow cards distributed: USA’s Matt Freese (77'), Diego Luna (51'), Chris Richards (45'+1'), and Guatemala’s Stheven Robles (49'). Chris Richards received his card early in stoppage time of the first half, underscoring the competitive nature of the encounter.
Guatemala, ranked 106th by FIFA and considered the third-lowest ranked team in the tournament, defied expectations by reaching the semifinals for the first time since 1996. Their journey included stunning penalty shootout victories over Canada and a group stage that saw wins against Jamaica and Guadeloupe. The team’s lineup featured two former US internationals: forward Rubio Rubin, who made seven appearances for the US from 2014-18 before switching allegiance in 2022, and defender Aaron Herrera, who played once for the US in 2021 before his switch in 2023. Rubin scored in the 29th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside, a moment that could have altered the game’s momentum.
For the USMNT, the path to the semifinal was equally dramatic. They advanced past Costa Rica in the quarterfinals on June 29 with a 4-3 victory on penalty kicks, thanks in large part to Matt Freese’s three saves and forward Damion Downs’ decisive final kick. Prior to that, the Americans finished the group stage undefeated, defeating Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti, conceding only one goal and amassing nine points.
The US and Guatemala have a rich history, having met 27 times before, with the US holding a commanding 16-5-6 record. Their last Gold Cup encounter was more than two decades ago in 2007, when the US won 1-0 in the group stage. It has also been nearly a decade since the two teams faced off in World Cup Qualifiers in 2016, a period during which none of the current US roster players participated in those matches.
Looking ahead, the USMNT’s victory sets up a highly anticipated final against Mexico, who defeated Honduras 1-0 in the other semifinal. Mexico, known as El Tri, boasts a record nine Gold Cup titles compared to the US’s seven and Canada’s one. The US will be seeking to claim its 11th appearance in a Gold Cup final and potentially add an eighth title to its trophy cabinet. Historically, all five of the US’s final losses have come at the hands of Mexico, adding an extra layer of intensity and rivalry to the upcoming showdown.
With the Gold Cup final serving as the USMNT’s last competitive match before their World Cup opener in June 2026, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Christian Pulisic, one of the team’s leading figures, expressed a desire to inspire the next generation of American soccer stars by advocating for affordable training facilities, highlighting the broader ambitions of the team beyond just the tournament.
As the USMNT prepares for the final in Houston, the team and fans alike will be hoping that the momentum and confidence from this hard-earned semifinal win will carry them through to lift the trophy once again. The stage is set for a classic Gold Cup final filled with passion, history, and the relentless pursuit of glory.
