The United States will contest a semi-final match against Guatemala in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this Wednesday at 7 PM, marking their first encounter in nearly ten years (coverage starts at 6 PM on FS1). The teams last met during the 2016 World Cup Qualifier, where both squads achieved victories on home turf, with the U.S. only suffering a single loss in their last 23 matchups against Guatemala (16 wins, 6 draws, and 1 loss).
Historically, the U.S. has dominated home games against Guatemala, securing 14 wins out of 15 encounters, with the only defeat occurring in a friendly match back in 2007. Fans are eager to see if this trend will hold on Wednesday.
Viewing Details
The match can be watched live on FS1 and through the Fox Sports app on July 2nd at 7 PM.
U.S. Gold Cup Record:
- This marks the U.S.’s 17th appearance in the Gold Cup semi-finals, having only missed out in 2000. They’ve maintained a remarkable streak of reaching the semi-finals for 13 consecutive tournaments.
- The U.S. aims for their 13th Gold Cup final and will be chasing their 8th title. Despite getting knocked out by Panama in the 2023 semi-finals, they have yet to miss back-to-back finals.
- In a repeat of the previous Gold Cup, the U.S. required penalty kicks to proceed from the quarter-finals. After a previous exit against Canada, they pushed past Costa Rica this year with a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
- Goalkeeper Matt Freeze made history by saving three penalties, becoming only the second in the team’s history to do so, following Tony Meola’s achievement in the 1991 finale.
- Midfielder Mariktilman has been a standout player, leading the U.S. in goals and several defensive metrics, while contributing significantly in assists.
Profile on Guatemala:
- Guatemala has emerged as the surprise team of the tournament, reaching the knockout stage for the first time and making their second appearance in the semi-finals.
- They have not appeared in a Concacaf final since the tournament’s inception in 1991, although they won the regional championship three times in the 1960s.
- Currently ranked 106th in FIFA standings, Guatemala is among the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament. The last time a team ranked this low reached the semi-finals was back in 1996 when they placed fourth after losing to Mexico.
- Rubio Rubin scored the equalizer in the quarter-finals and is notable as the only Guatemalan player with two tournament goals, marking his continued impact since March.
- In terms of style, the U.S. leads the tournament in possession at 66% and has made significantly more shots than Guatemala, who average just 44% possession.
Viewing Details
The match will be broadcast on FS1 and the Fox Sports app on July 2nd, starting at 7 PM.
Editorial Take:
This matchup is crucial for both teams as it reflects their standings within CONCACAF soccer, showcasing the growth of the sport in the region. For fans, this game could signal a pivotal moment for U.S. soccer, potentially redefining the dynamics in future tournaments.
