Guatemala was poised for success during World Cup qualification after finishing third at the 2007 UNCAF Nations Cup and reaching the knockout round in Gold Cup that year, yet Ramon Maradiaga’s side struggled in Hexagonal play.
The Usmnt Vs Guatemala National Football Team Lineups match saw the United States Men’s National Team advance to their 13th consecutive Concacaf Gold Cup final appearance after defeating Guatemala at Energizer Park in St. Louis.
Diego Luna played a key role by scoring twice in the first half, helping the USA secure a 2–1 victory. Guatemala responded late through Olger Escobar, but the USMNT defense held firm to book their place in the final.
| Rank | Date | Competition | Match Result | Key USMNT Players | Key Guatemala Players | Match Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 29, 2016 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | USA 4-0 Guatemala | Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Geoff Cameron | Carlos Ruiz, Marco Pappa, Paulo Motta | USMNT dominated with four goals and strong attacking play |
| 2 | Mar 25, 2016 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Guatemala 2-0 USA | Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Alejandro Bedoya | Carlos Ruiz, Stefano Cincotta, Marco Pappa | Guatemala produced a historic upset in front of a home crowd. |
| 3 | Jul 2, 2025 | CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal | USA 2-1 Guatemala | Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams, Tim Ream | Rubio Rubin, Óscar Santis, Olger Escobar | USA advanced after a tense semifinal battle. |
| 4 | Jul 25, 2015 | CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage | USA 1-0 Guatemala | Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore | Carlos Ruiz, Marco Pappa | Tight defensive game decided by a late goal. |
| 5 | Jul 7, 2011 | CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinal | USA 2-1 Guatemala | Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard | Carlos Ruiz, Marco Pappa | USA fought back to reach the next round. |
| 6 | Jun 12, 2007 | CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage | USA 1-0 Guatemala | Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra | Carlos Ruiz, Freddy Thompson | Defensive battle with USA controlling possession. |
| 7 | Jan 19, 2005 | International Friendly | USA 1-0 Guatemala | Brian Ching, Landon Donovan, Eddie Pope | Carlos Ruiz, Gustavo Cabrera | Narrow US victory in a low-scoring match. |
| 8 | Jan 16, 2000 | International Friendly | USA 3-1 Guatemala | Brian McBride, Cobi Jones, Claudio Reyna | Carlos Ruiz, Juan Carlos Plata | McBride helped USA secure a comfortable win. |
| 9 | Jul 1, 1991 | CONCACAF Gold Cup | USA 3-0 Guatemala | Tab Ramos, Eric Wynalda, Tony Meola | Juan Carlos Plata, Martin Machón | One of USA’s most dominant early victories. |
| 10 | Nov 2000 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | USA 1-0 Guatemala | Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart, Kasey Keller | Carlos Ruiz, Dwight Pezzarossi | Important qualifying win for USA. |
Goalkeeper
Goalkeepers in association football are unique among their peers in that they may use any part of their body (except hands ) other than hands to control the ball. Goalies must remain within their penalty area, and must only physically block attempts by opposing players by physically blocking attempted shots with any part of their bodies (e.g. head, feet, legs or arms) including blocking shots made with attempted to score goals by opposing players using any part of their bodies to physically block shots made against their goalkeeping net or defence against crosses entering or entering their penalty area by way of defense or defense of other attacking players entering through its perimeter.
The USMNT are just one win away from reaching the Gold Cup final, and will take on Guatemala in a semifinal clash this evening in St Louis. Both teams advanced via penalty shootout victories over Canada; yet neither side has ever lost to each other before now.
Matt Freese will start today against Guatemala for the United States Men’s National Team. After performing admirably against Costa Rica in the quarterfinal shootout, this New York City FC goalkeeper should remain undeterred in this dangerous encounter against Guatemala. Tim Ream, Sebastian Berhalter and Tyler Adams – who all performed admirably against Costa Rica – should provide solid backup.
| Team | Player | Position | Role / Player Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Matt Freese | Goalkeeper | Shot-stopper who provided security in goal; made important saves during the tournament knockout stage. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Alex Freeman | Right Back | Athletic defender known for pace, attacking runs, and defensive coverage. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Chris Richards | Center Back | Physical defender with strong aerial ability and experience at international level. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Tim Ream (Captain) | Center Back | Veteran leader, excellent passer, and defensive organizer. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Max Arfsten | Left Back | Versatile wide player contributing defensively and in attack. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Tyler Adams | Defensive Midfielder | Ball-winning midfielder who controls tempo and protects the defense. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Luca de la Torre | Midfielder | Technical midfielder focused on possession, passing, and buildup play. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Sebastian Berhalter | Midfielder | Creative midfielder who supports pressing and midfield control. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Malik Tillman | Attacking Midfielder | Creative attacker who provided an assist and attacking threat. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Diego Luna | Attacking Midfielder/Winger | Match star; scored two early goals to lead USA to victory. |
| USMNT 🇺🇸 | Patrick Agyemang | Forward | Powerful striker who offered physical presence in attack. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Kenderson Navarro | Goalkeeper | Starting goalkeeper who made several saves against USA attacks. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Aaron Herrera | Right Back | Defensive player with experience playing in North American competitions. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | José Carlos Pinto (Captain) | Center Back | Defensive leader and organizer of Guatemala’s back line. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Nicolás Samayoa | Center Back | Strong central defender responsible for stopping US attacks. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | José Morales | Left Back | Defensive fullback supporting Guatemala’s width. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Stheven Robles | Midfielder | Energetic midfielder involved in pressing and transitions. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | José Rosales | Midfielder | Defensive midfielder helping Guatemala maintain structure. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Rudy Muñoz | Midfielder/Winger | Wide attacking option creating movement in the final third. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Pedro Altán | Attacking Midfielder | Creative player responsible for linking midfield and attack. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Rubio Rubín | Forward | Experienced attacker leading Guatemala’s offensive line. |
| Guatemala 🇬🇹 | Óscar Santis | Forward/Winger | Dangerous attacking player with pace and finishing ability. |
Defenders
Pochettino and the United Soccer Men’s National Team are on the cusp of reaching an historic Gold Cup final, but will face an ardent Guatemala side that has shown they can turn up the heat when necessary. Guatemala avoided heartbreak against Costa Rica by way of penalty shootout victory, and gained further confidence after eliminating Canada from competition.
Chris Richards and Tim Ream remain as starters in central defense for the USMNT in this semifinal. Ream is an exceptional reader of the game, often anticipating opponents’ movements to intercept passes before positioning himself perfectly to intercept passes himself. Furthermore, Ream boasts excellent balance as well as being capable of covering large areas on the pitch.
Richards is an excellent ball-winner and can quickly read the game to assist his teammates with set piece defense. Additionally, he quickly finds ways to get into attack as well as combine with attacking players on both sides of the pitch to create opportunities.
Michael Bradley will join them as an experienced backline member to take on his 200th national team match, providing defensive intelligence and calmness under pressure as vital assets to this squad. Additionally, Bradley possesses the flexibility needed to operate in multiple positions on the pitch.
Jonathan Gomez is an excellent left-sided defender who can read the game well, knowing when and where to drop deep to intercept crosses or stay up high when tracking runners. Furthermore, he’s adept at maintaining possession when necessary and can carry the ball forward when required.
Matt Freese was under fire after making an error against Haiti but made up for it with some impressive saves in the penalty shootout. It appears likely he will keep his place as starting goalkeeper, even though Morales scored one during the first half.
As they enter the final 10 minutes of their match against Guatemala, the USA are in front. But this match could go either way with USMNT being favorites to emerge victorious; its winner will face either Mexico or Honduras in Sunday’s final at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Midfielders
The United States Men’s National Team will look to rebound from their quarterfinal loss against Costa Rica when they play Guatemala in the semifinals of the 2025 Gold Cup. Matt Freese’s penalty shootout heroics earned them this spot against Ticos while Guatemala’s impressive upset of Canada has given them plenty of momentum going into this encounter.
The United States Men’s National Team holds a slim advantage against Guatemala in head-to-head matchups, winning 16 of 27 matches while drawing five. Los Chapines have produced some surprising wins against their American rivals, such as in Round 5 against USA.
Mauricio Pochettino will most likely stick with the lineup that started their quarterfinal match against Costa Rica. He trusts goalkeeper Matt Freese, who impressed everyone during the penalty shootout performance. Matt will start alongside defenders Chris Richards and Tim Ream and midfielders Luca de la Torre, Malik Tillman Patrick Agyemang Max Arfsten Diego Luna.
Forwards Brian White and Haji Wright will miss due to injuries, while Jonathan Gomez may sit out. Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson and Ricardo Pepi will also sit out. Christian Pulisic has requested to have the summer off.
Goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen experienced an injury during the game against Costa Rica, so backup keeper Kenderson Navarro will fill his place. While Hagen had been an integral component of Columbus Crew’s play in this tournament, his absence provides another player an opportunity in goal.
Rubio Rubin leads Guatemala’s attack, having switched allegiances in 2022 and scored two goals so far at this tournament for Guatemala. Sergio Diaz and Carlos Mejia can also pose threats, but haven’t seen much playing time at this tournament so far; to prevent their forwards from breaking behind them early from the Gold Cup tournament; otherwise the USMNT could find themselves being sent home early without making the final match against Mexico. The winner of this game will advance.
Forwards
To reach the Gold Cup final, the USA must play their best football upfront in order to defeat Guatemala in their semifinal matchup. They face an experienced side who have shown great determination after coming from behind against Canada with two come-from-behind goals scored by Rubio Rubin in that match – both expected to start for them as they could prove decisive against Guatemala’s side who have come through some hard matches this tournament.
It can be challenging to predict who will play forward for the United States in this match, as their options in that position vary considerably. Jermaine Jones and Jozy Altidore appear likely candidates; these players have found their rhythm, making their presence vital if the United States wants to advance in this semifinal match.
Mauricio Pochettino will likely stick with Matt Freese and Tim Ream at centre back, both needing to be strong in the air while dealing with Guatemala’s threat up front. Chris Richards and Tyler Adams should both be available.
Diego Luna continues to shine, and will be essential if the USMNT are to advance to the final. His fourth-minute goal against Guatemala was stunning and silenced a pro-Guatemala crowd; Luna dropped his shoulder, shimmied into the box before unleashing an incredible shot past goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro for an incredible strike that stunned.
Guatemala had an unexpected run to the quarterfinals despite losing both group stage matches to Jamaica (2-0 and 0-0, respectively), before drawing with Honduras (0-0) before losing 1-0 to USA but being saved from elimination thanks to Minor Lopez’ late goal.
After suffering losses against Costa Rica and Panama in their opening group stage matches, the USMNT seemed headed toward elimination in the Gold Cup. However, in the Usmnt Vs Guatemala National Football Team Lineups tournament journey, the team showed resilience by defeating Canada through a penalty shootout and advancing into the semifinals. The victory kept their hopes alive as they continued their pursuit of their first Gold Cup title since 1996.
| Category | USMNT 🇺🇸 | Guatemala 🇬🇹 |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 2 Goals | 1 Goal |
| Starting Formation | 4-2-3-1 | 4-2-3-1 |
| Head Coach | Mauricio Pochettino | Luis Fernando Tena |
| Goal Scorers | Diego Luna (4’, 15’) | Olger Escobar (80’) |
| Goalkeeper | Matt Freese | Kenderson Navarro |
| Defense Line | Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream (C), Max Arfsten | Aaron Herrera, José Pinto (C), Nicolás Samayoa, José Morales |
| Midfield Line | Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Sebastian Berhalter, Malik Tillman | Stheven Robles, José Rosales, Rudy Muñoz, Pedro Altán |
| Attackers | Diego Luna, Patrick Agyemang | Rubio Rubín, Óscar Santis |
| Best Player | Diego Luna – scored a first-half brace and led USA attack | Olger Escobar – scored Guatemala’s late goal |
| Key Moment | Luna scored twice within the first 15 minutes to give USA control | Guatemala fought back with an 80th-minute goal but could not equalize |
| Shots | 12 | 20 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 5 |
| Corner Kicks | 2 | 6 |
| Saves | 4 | 5 |
| Match Outcome | Advanced to Gold Cup Final | Eliminated in Semifinal |
