Diego Luna scored two goals in the opening 15 minutes to lead the USMNT to a 2-1 victory over Guatemala at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri, on Wednesday.
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Luna has been a revelation for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup (three goals, two assists in five games) and wasted no time in making his mark against Los Chapines, as he scored the opener just four minutes in and double the Americans’ advantage right on the quarter-hour mark.
The USMNT will face either Mexico or Honduras at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Sunday (7 pm ET).
Player ratings – USMNT vs Guatemala
USMNT vs Guatemala live updates – by Andy Edwards
USMNT vs Guatemala final score: 2-1
Goalscorers: Diego Luna (4′, 15′), Olger Escobar (80′)
GOAL! USA 2-1 Guatemala: Escobar sticks one in the bottom corner (80′)
GOAL! USA 2-0 Guatemala: Luna hammers home his second from long range (15′)
GOAL! USA 1-0 Guatemala: Luna cleans up de la Torre’s rebound (3′)
USMNT starting lineup
Freese – Freeman, Richards, Ream, Arfsten – Adams, de la Torre, Tillman – Berhalter, Luna, Agyemang
Guatemala starting lineup
Navarro – Herrera, Pinto, Samayoa, Morales – Rosales, Robles, Munoz – Altan, Santis, Rubin
How to watch USMNT vs Guatemala live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7 pm ET, Wednesday
How to watch: FS1, TUDN
Stream online: FOXSports.com or the FOX Sports app
Mauricio Pochettino’s side erased an early deficit with goals two minutes before and after halftime, but the Ticos hit back in the 71st minute and took the Yanks to spot kicks. Goalkeeper Matt Freese wound up the hero of the day after saving three of six attempts from 12 yards. Even without the likes of Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun and Yunus Musah, the Americans are in the semifinals of the Gold Cup for the 13th straight tournament.
USMNT focus, team news
Two USMNT players, Malik Tillman and Patrick Agyemang, felt slightly worse for wear when they awoke on Monday after throwing themselves into 34 duels (18 won) and suffering eight fouls between them. Tillman took six of those fouls and at looked like he might have to come off at multiple points during the second half, only to go the full 90 and redeem himself in the penalty shootout after he hit the post from the spot in the 37th minute. Tillman has been a revelation at this tournament (3 goals, 1 assist) after finishing the Eredivisie season with a bang (5 goals, 1 assist in eight games upon returning from an ankle injury. Next stop: Bayer Leverkusen? And then, World Cup starting XI for the USMNT? We shall see, sooner rather than later.
Guatemala focus, team news
Guatemala found themselves a goal down midway through the first half as well, and their fortunes also changed right before halftime when Jacob Shaffelburg was shown his second yellow card and sent off. Los Chapines equalized through former United States international Rubio Rubin, who switched his international allegiance in 2022 to represent his mother’s homeland. Rubio has scored 13 goals in 34 appearances.
USMNT vs Guatemala prediction
At this point of the tournament, Pochettino’s team just about picks itself with promising performers (Tillman, Agyemang and Diego Luna) becoming breakout stars across the front line. As their chemistry grows, so will their output. USMNT 3-1 Guatemala.
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