The stage is set for the USMNT to face Guatemala in a 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal match on Wednesday. The U.S. national team has reached this stage despite competing without several of its key superstar players. They secured their spot by battling past Costa Rica in the quarterfinal round, winning in a penalty shootout.
On the other side, Guatemala has surprisingly advanced to the semifinals as underdogs. Their journey included a recent victory over Canada in the quarterfinals, also decided by penalties, with a 6-5 final score in the shootout.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. ET from Energizer Park in St. Louis. Betting markets position the Americans as strong favorites for the match, while Guatemala is listed with significantly longer odds as the underdog. A draw after 90 minutes is also an option according to the odds. The total goals scored in the match is set with an over/under line of 2.5.
Sports analyst Martin Green, a seasoned professional sports writer and handicapper with experience covering global soccer, has provided his expert analysis and picks for this crucial semifinal.
Green has a track record of success in soccer betting, showing profitability in multiple areas last year, including Euro qualifying, EFL Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League. His insights are highly valued by those who follow his predictions.
He has thoroughly evaluated the USMNT vs. Guatemala matchup and has finalized his predictions for the game. His expert picks and detailed analysis are available for those seeking informed wagers.
Why Guatemala Could Win
Although Guatemala is considered a major underdog for Wednesday`s encounter, the expert notes they have demonstrated the ability to secure wins against favored opposition throughout the tournament. Upset victories against Jamaica and Guadeloupe during the group stage were pivotal in their path to the quarterfinals. There, they successfully came back from an early deficit against Canada to force a 1-1 draw and ultimately triumph in the penalty shootout.
Guatemala also statistically outperformed Canada in key areas during their quarterfinal match, including possession, shots, shots on target, passes, and pass accuracy, despite Canada being a heavy favorite. The expert suggests that a similar level of performance could make them a surprisingly difficult and dangerous opponent for the United States on Wednesday.
Why the USMNT Could Win
Despite the absence of prominent players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, the U.S. team has seen crucial contributions from others, with players such as Malik Tillman, Maximilian Arfsten, and Diego Luna finding the back of the net, and goalkeeper Matt Freese making important saves. Analyst Martin Green acknowledges that the USMNT`s defense appeared somewhat disorganized against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals but believes they are capable of elevating their performance level for the upcoming match.
“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,” Green commented. He highlighted the team`s consistent dominance in possession across all four previous games in the tournament. He also feels that the offensive capabilities of players like Tillman, Luna, and Patrick Agyemang provide sufficient firepower to lead the team into the final.
Expert Analysis
Martin Green has meticulously analyzed the USMNT vs. Guatemala match from all perspectives. Based on his detailed breakdown, he has identified specific predictions for the game, including at least one selection offering favorable odds (a “plus-money payout”).
For those looking for insights into the potential outcome of the match and the best betting opportunities, the complete analysis and top predictions from this experienced soccer expert are available on SportsLine.
Discover who the expert predicts will win the USMNT vs. Guatemala match on Wednesday and which specific wagers offer the most value. Get the full analysis and top picks from the proven soccer expert by visiting SportsLine.
Benedict Kingsley