USMNT vs. Guatemala score: Diego Luna delivers again as USA soccer advance to Gold Cup final

The Americans will face either Mexico or Honduras in Sunday's final

It was a statement from Diego Luna and the USMNT to book their place in the Concacaf Gold Cup final following a 2-1 victory over Guatemala on Wednesday. Luna scored in the fourth minute of play before completing his brace in only 15 minutes with an audacious finish, and the USMNT held on from there. Guatemala pushed Matt Freese into some good saves in net as they outshot the USMNT, but the defense didn't break. Tightening up in the second half, the USMNT were able to hold on and now they'll face either Mexico or Honduras in the Gold Cup final on Sunday. 

While the match had nervy moments, the USMNT came out on the right end of things, and that's all Pochettino can ask for. Luna's star continues to rise since breaking his nose in January and staying on to assist a goal, and he's more than knocking on the door for the 2026 World Cup squad, which is just what this Gold Cup camp is for. Just three years ago, Luna was playing for El Paso Locomotive in the USL Championship, and now he's on the verge of a World Cup roster. More players are looking to make statements during this camp but his performances have been the center of the team. 

The defense still needs to improve, with it being too easy for Olger Escobar to score late, but they're in the final, and that's what matters as a trophy could be 90 minutes away. The partnership of Tim Ream and Chris Richards has been an experienced one but they haven't brought the steadiness that would be expected. Adding in newer players like Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten and without Freese, this team may not be in the final. It's not going to always be pretty and winning ugly hasn't been among the USMNT's strong suits lately but it could be changing as they get more time under Pochettino.

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"It's the grit. It's the determination that we've been lacking, to be honest, it's fighting to the end, every ball, every moment. The game's about moments, and I think this is where we showcase it," Luna said to Fox Sports following the game. "It's 90 minutes of hundreds of moments, and you've got to execute on each one."

Luna's words make it easy to see how the USMNT could withstand 20 shots from Guatemala and fight for a result. Even the four yellow cards that were picked up during the match show that this squad cares and are digging in, and that's something that can't be taught.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 9:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Back in the Gold Cup final

The USMNT have secured their 13th appearance in the Gold Cup final with a 2-1 victory defeating Guatemala. It was anything but easy but Diego Luna's brace pushed the USMNT to Houston for the final. They'll face either Mexico or Honduras in the final and will look to grab the title back from El Tri. The defense will need to improve in order to do that but they've found a way so far and that's all Pochettino can ask for.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 8:55 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Time to see this out

There will be four minutes of stoppage time where Guatemala will throw everything forward in search of an equalizer. 

[Jul 2, 2025 at 8:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 2, Guatemala 1

It's not over yet! Escobar wasn't picked up by the USMNT defense, and with 11 minutes to go, Guatemala has a chance to draw level as they're throwing everything forward.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 8:42 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

More changes

John Tolkin and Jack McGlynn will enter with Tyler Adams and Diego Luna entering the match. With Max Arfsten staying in, Pochettino will now be playing a defender on the wing.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 8:27 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Big chance for the USMNT

Agyemang puts a header on target after Aaronson's follow up keeps a ball in their possession that could've gone out. From the corner, Aaronson couldn't get a chance on target but it's still better from them.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 8:23 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Brenden Aaronson enters

The USMNT will get some fresh legs onto the pitch before the 60th minute with Luca De La Torre exiting. Another player on a yellow card, this is a good time to shift things a bit for the USMNT.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 8:18 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Better in the second half

Guatemala hasn't been able to keep the pace that they ended the first half with, and the USMNT is settling in. With Diego Luna and Chris Richards both on yellow cards, changes could be coming soon, though. 

[Jul 2, 2025 at 8:07 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Limping into the half 

This break couldn't have come at a better time for the USMNT. They could afford to make a change or two to settle things before the second half but most importantly, Pochettino will have a chance to adjust things.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:53 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A yellow to Richards

We're in stoppage time of the first half and the USMNT is struggling to keep a clean sheet going into the break. Matt Freese has been called into action often and they need the break sooner than later.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:43 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Guatemala are pushing

The offside finish has given Guatemala confidence, with them getting two shots on target. Rubin has been everywhere in the early going,g and it feels like they'll get the next goal, not the USMNT, with only nine minutes to go until halftime.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:36 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

That was a close one

Rubin has the ball in the back of the net but was just offside due to a late step from Max Arfsten to get back in line with his defenders. After a rough match defensively facing Costa Rica, that's growth for the Columbus Crew man.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:22 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 2, Guatemala 0

Talk about being off and running, that's two goals in 15 minutes for the USMNT as it's Luna again! He dribbles to set himself up and fires it into the back of the net. When you're feeling it, you're feeling it and these go on.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

This game is moving quickly 

Luna almost played Agyemang into space as there has been chances on both ends early in the match. Guatemala wants to attack the USMNT, and it's leaving space that they're also exploiting. The USMNT will want another goal quickly, though, because Guatemala looks like they'll score.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:11 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 1, Guatemala 0

Well that's a start as Diego Luna takes the follow up from Luca De La Torre's shot and puts it in the back of the net. That's goals in back-to-back games for Luna and the USMNT is off and running early.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:09 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Pressure from Guatemala

The USMNT are already being forced into mistakes in the early going. They'll want a goal quickly to quiet down this crowd.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:07 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

USMNT 0, Guatemala 0 (1H)

[Jul 2, 2025 at 7:07 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

We're underway

It's a loud atmosphere in St. Louis as the USMNT will kick off in front of a pro-Guatemala crowd.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 6:55 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost time to get underway

We're five minutes from kickoff at Energizer Park

[Jul 2, 2025 at 6:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction

Luna will set the tone with an early goal, and it'll be all USMNT from there. Like their opening match to this tournament, it will be a time that things are out of reach by halftime en route to the USMNT putting up a crooked number to book their place in the final.  Pick: USMNT 5, Guatemala 0

[Jul 2, 2025 at 6:40 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Can the USMNT operate as the favorites? 

Facing Costa Rica, the USMNT created issues for themselves in conceding penalties and having defensive lapses. It wasn't even a full-strength Costa Rica side either, which is why the result has a tinge of concern despite the good ending. It's something that this team has to work out of their systems under Pochettino and a strong performance here will go a long way. The USMNT must ensure that they aren't beating themselves as competition gets harder all around.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 6:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Player to watch

Malik Tillman, PSV: Even with missing a penalty in the Costa Rica match, there may not be a player who has improved their stock more during this tournament. With three goals and an assist, Tillman has been a central figure to this run and could be rewarded for that with a move to Bayer Leverkusen. Tillman is someone who was already likely in the USMNT squad for the 2026 World Cup, but with performances like these, he's looking to break into the starting XI during the tournament. If others can follow his lead during this camp, the USMNT will be in a good place.

[Jul 2, 2025 at 6:18 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

No changes for the USMNT

After some hiccups facing Costa Rica, Pochettino is rolling out the same XI, displaying confidence in his starters.

USMNT starters: Matt Freese, Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Luca De La Torre, Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter, Patrick Agyemang

[Jul 2, 2025 at 6:07 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

How to watch USMNT vs. Guatemala, odds

• Date: Wednesday, July 2 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Energizer Park -- St. Louis, Missouri
• TV: FS1 | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
• Odds: USMNT -400; Draw +450; Guatemala +1000

[Jul 2, 2025 at 6:07 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

There are no changes in Mauricio Pochettino's lineup to face Guatemala as the USMNT can earn their spot in the Gold Cup final. It will give the team a chance to show the cohesion that they've built during this camp while Pochettino gets to figure out who his best squad is. Additional motivation won't be needed with a spot in the final on the line which makes this a good time to see what he has in the squad.