The United States Men’s National Team is advancing to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final after defeating Guatemala 2-1 on Wednesday, July 2.
American star Diego Luna got the USMNT on the board early by scoring two goals in the fourth and 15th minute of the semifinal match, which was enough to seal the win. Luna was named the Man of the Match for his efforts.
“I think it’s just finding the rhythm and being able to get the freedom from the coaching staff and from the team,’ Luna said after the match. ‘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.’
Guatemala made it close in the end. Olger Escobar cut Guatemala’s deficit in half with a goal in the 80th minute, and José Morales nearly scored the equalizer in stoppage time, but American goalie Matt Freese blocked the shot to hold the Guatemalans off and secure the win.
With the victory, the USMNT will face Mexico in the final. Mexico defeated Honduras 1-0 in the other semifinal.
Gold Cup semifinal highlights: USMNT 2, Guatemala 1
Olger Escobar scores: USMNT 2, Guatemala 1
Guatemala’s Olger Escobar has cut the U.S. men’s lead in half with a goal. Escobar scored in the 80th minute on an assist by Arquímides Ordóñez to get Guatemala on the board. It marked Escobar’s second goal of the tournament.
Yellow cards are flying
Here’s all the yellow cards assessed so far. It’s worth noting that a second yellow card would lead to a suspension in Sunday’s Gold Cup final:
USA’s Matt Freese | 77′
USA’s Diego Luna | 51′
Guatemala’s Stheven Robles | 49′
USA’s Chris Richards | 45’+1′
First half ends: USMNT 2, Guatemala 0
The USMNT has a two point advantage heading into halftime. USA’s Chris Richards heads into the locker room with a yellow card after picking it up in the first minute of stoppage.
Diego Luna scores again: USMNT 2, Guatemala 0
Diego Luna strikes again. Malik Tillman found a wide-open Luna up the middle. Luna then juked a defender and scored the ball with a clean strike in the fifteenth minute to put the USMNT up 2-0 over Guatemala. Luna pointed to his last name on the back of his jersey in celebration of his second goal of the night.
Diego Luna scores goal: USMNT 1, Guatemala 0
The U.S. men’s national team is off to a great start in the Gold cup semifinals. Diego Luna got the Americans on the board first after finding the back of the net in the fourth minute, marking his second goal in as many games.
How to watch USMNT Gold Cup semifinals
The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals will feature two matches on Wednesday: the United States will face Guatemala at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, followed by Mexico battling Honduras at 10 p.m. ET on FS1.
How to watch USMNT vs. Guatemala
The United States will face Guatemala in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday, July 2at 7 p.m. ET.
Date: Wednesday, July 2
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Univision
Stream: Fox Sports, Fubo, Sling TV
Location: Energizer Park, St. Louis, Missouri
Watch Gold Cup action with Fubo