USMNT Triumphs Over Guatemala in Gold Cup Final: Can They Expect Mexico’s Generosity?

St. Louis – As the second semi-final approached halftime at Enalgeiser Park, Chris Richards wandered through the mixed zone. He and the US men’s national team had just secured a victory against Guatemala in their first Gold Cup semi-final on Wednesday. While awaiting their upcoming opponent, either Mexico or Honduras, I asked Richards directly: “Are you ready to face Mexico?”

He answered without hesitation.

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“Absolutely, I am,” he responded confidently.

“Since our loss to Mexico in October (during a friendly), we have learned a lot. We’re going to win this trophy.”

And indeed, they’ll get that opportunity in Houston on Sunday. Mexico triumphed over Honduras 1-0 in the other semi-final. The two teams, long-time rivals, will clash at NRG Stadium in their first competitive meeting under Mauricio Pochettino’s management. Prior to the matchup being finalized, US players expressed excitement about the upcoming challenge.

“Every final means a little more,” Richards noted. “Especially with a team like Mexico involved.”

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Diego Luna, born in California to Mexican parents, had the chance to represent either country but seems especially enthusiastic.

“It’s incredible,” Luna said Wednesday. “I’ve always dreamed of playing in these American-Mexican matches. Being able to play in one is surreal. It’s going to be an incredible experience.

“From there, it’s all about the battle. We’ll see who prevails.”

From Guatemalan Coverage to El Tri’s Fire

However, beyond the rivalry, it’s ultimately a football match. To succeed, the USMNT must significantly improve their performance from Wednesday night in St. Louis.

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They managed to defeat Guatemala, largely thanks to Luna’s two quick goals, but struggled to maintain composure under pressure. There were moments when they were pinned down by the 106th-ranked team and failed to seize control of the game.

“We need to keep possession better,” said Luna.

The team often found themselves on the defensive, frequently pressed for the ball.

For example, during a pivotal moment late in the match, a loose pass from one Guatemalan player to another nearly led to a goal. Despite charging toward the recipient, Luna couldn’t intercept the pass in time, leaving his team vulnerable. The ball was soon in the net, but the goal was called offside correctly.

The intensity of the USMNT appeared to ebb from the 15th to the 45th minute. Some of this can be attributed to the game’s circumstances; it’s common to become defensive when leading 2-0. However, this doesn’t necessarily predict a 0-0 outcome on Sunday.

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The concern lies in the various individual errors that became evident during that period and in the second half. Matt Freeze seemed uncertain in goal, especially with his decision-making. Tim Ream appeared sluggish. Patrick Agyemang had issues with his control and runs. Agyemang was a significant reason why the USMNT could not capitalize on Guatemala’s mistakes to extend their lead on counterattacks.

The most pressing issue is that Luna’s earlier goal may have been a stroke of luck against Mexico.

Will he be able to maneuver inside the left half-space effectively? Will Malik Tillman find himself with plenty of room atop the box? Could Luna tap into a rebound from Luca de la Torre’s shot? What will the defenders do?

Against Mexico, will Luna get through challenging defenders without receiving a foul or interference? Or will the USMNT muster a series of duels down the right sideline?

Mexico hasn’t scored in over 380 minutes during this Gold Cup, since their opening match against the Dominican Republic. They are the holders of both the 2023 Gold Cup and the CONCACAF Nations League titles and have come in as pre-tournament favorites, performing at a level that exceeds teams the US has faced in earlier rounds.

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In Houston, they’ll also face a stadium filled with thousands of green-clad fans.

Wednesday Was Noisy; Sunday Will Be Thunderous

Some US players were taken aback by the overwhelming atmosphere, with 90% of the crowd supporting Guatemala on Wednesday.

“We cannot underestimate the impact a passionate home crowd has on young players who haven’t faced it before,” Ream cautioned.

Some of the players were stunned by the noise and questioned, “What is happening?” Ream encouraged them to breathe deeply. Through his years in CONCACAF, he’s learned to navigate challenging environments like the one on Wednesday. “You start to grasp what it takes to push through,” he said.

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For newcomers, however, the intensity can be overwhelming. “The pressure is palpable when fans are right over you, and the noise can drown you out,” Ream admitted.

Nevertheless, the expectation is that the experience from Wednesday will help prepare them for Sunday.

“This will be instrumental in their readiness for the final,” Ream stated. “Now they have experienced it and can better manage their nerves.”

The crowds in Houston will be even larger. The atmosphere around the field will be electrifying.

“This Sunday will be akin to my younger brother’s game in the US-Mexico matchup,” Richards said. “If players felt nervous about Wednesday, the matchup against Mexico will be on an entirely different level.”