The United States men`s national team is just one victory away from reaching the Gold Cup final, where they would face the winner of the Mexico versus Honduras match. While this semifinal opponent is Guatemala rather than the widely anticipated Canada, it serves as evidence of the growing competitiveness within Concacaf, where any team can achieve an upset on a given day. The USMNT narrowly avoided such a fate in their previous match against Costa Rica, requiring Matt Freese to make three crucial penalty saves to prevent elimination.
That challenging win is expected to provide momentum for the USMNT heading into their encounter with Guatemala. With Mexico being the defending champions of the Gold Cup, this tournament presents an opportunity for the USMNT to potentially gain revenge. Additionally, players on the current roster are eager to demonstrate their value and secure a place on the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Previous Encounters
These two teams last played against each other in 2016. Guatemala has not managed to score against the USMNT since 2012. Although the USMNT defense has shown vulnerability at times, considering the 4-0 victory in that 2016 match, the likely outcome for this game seems clear. Rubio Rubin has been in strong form for Guatemala and will be a key player for the USMNT defense to monitor, but overall, this match is expected to see the USMNT secure an early lead with multiple goals in the first half, paving the way for a comfortable win.
Predicted USMNT Lineup
- 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 to Watch
Malik Tillman, PSV: Despite missing a penalty in the game against Costa Rica, Malik Tillman has arguably enhanced his reputation more than any other player in this tournament. With three goals and one assist, Tillman has been a pivotal figure in the team`s progress and his performances could potentially lead to a transfer, perhaps to a club like Bayer Leverkusen. Tillman was likely already considered for the 2026 World Cup squad, but his displays in this Gold Cup suggest he is now aiming for a starting position. If other players can match his level of performance during this camp, the USMNT will be in a promising position.
Team Dynamic to Monitor
Handling the Favorite Role: Against Costa Rica, the USMNT created difficulties for themselves by conceding penalties and displaying defensive lapses. This occurred even against a Costa Rica side that was not at full strength, adding a layer of concern to the result despite the eventual win. This is an area the team needs to address under coach Pochettino, and a dominant performance in this match would be significant. The USMNT must ensure they are not their own biggest obstacle as the level of competition continues to rise across the region.
Match Prediction
Expect Diego Luna to open the scoring early, setting the tone for the match. From that point on, the game should be dominated by the USMNT. Similar to their opening match in the tournament, the result is likely to be decided by halftime, with the USMNT scoring multiple goals to secure their spot in the final. Predicted Score: USMNT 5, Guatemala 0.
Benedict Kingsley 
Adrian Whitmore