The U.S. Men`s National Team (USMNT) takes center stage in the busy summer of soccer this Wednesday, facing Guatemala in the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals. While history and the odds typically favor Mauricio Pochettino`s side, this edition of the Gold Cup has been marked by unexpected results. Wednesday`s match in St. Louis provides a significant opportunity for the USMNT to make a statement.
The USMNT reached the semifinals in a challenging manner, securing a penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals on Sunday. This hard-fought win could be considered the first gritty and meaningful triumph under manager Mauricio Pochettino`s leadership. Pochettino has tasked a group of young, inexperienced players with the mission of winning the USMNT`s first Gold Cup in four years. Several of these players are seizing the chance to prove their worth. Malik Tillman, set to join Bayer Leverkusen, has been a notable performer, while goalkeeper Matt Freese, defender Max Arfsten, and midfielder Diego Luna also had impactful moments in the quarterfinal.
As the team heads into the semifinals, a key question is whether they can build on Sunday`s positive outcome to generate genuine momentum and provide reasons for optimism after a year of inconsistent results. Focus remains on the individual players, who are competing for spots in the main squad when the senior team reconvenes later this year, all with the aim of securing a place on the World Cup roster for next year.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Women`s National Team (USWNT) is also in an experimental phase during their friendly against Canada, albeit with different goals. Head coach Emma Hayes has designated this friendly as the culmination of her extensive project to evaluate the USWNT`s broader player pool. This gives a group of younger players one last chance to impress as Hayes works on developing team chemistry over the next two years leading up to the Women`s World Cup. Hayes will have numerous strong options across various positions. The competition for the starting goalkeeper position, potentially succeeding Alyssa Naeher, is particularly interesting to watch. Mandy McGlynn and Claudia Dickey each started recent matches against Ireland, with Angelina Anderson also included in the goalkeeping group for this camp.
Other Major Soccer News
The summer of major international tournaments accelerates with the start of the Women`s Euros in Switzerland this Wednesday. This event is expected to further showcase the growth of women`s soccer in the region. A number of teams are considered realistic contenders for the title. Reigning world champions Spain are looking to win the European competition for the first time and build on their dynasty after winning the Women`s World Cup two years ago. A resurgent Germany team aims to improve on their bronze medal run at the last Olympics. However, analyst Sandra Herrera views defending champions England as the team to beat, placing them atop her pre-tournament power rankings.
The Euros will highlight not only Europe`s top teams but also the continent`s best players, including both established stars and those poised for a breakout performance. This is particularly true for Spain, featuring Ballon d`Or winner Aitana Bonmati, whose availability for the start of the tournament is questionable following a recent illness. Despite potential absences in midfield, Spain still possesses strong goalscoring threats. The in-form Esther Gonzalez, who plays in the NWSL, is a key option, while rising talent Claudia Pina is highlighted as a potential future superstar who could make a significant impact in Switzerland.
Shifting focus to the Club World Cup, the quarterfinal lineup is now confirmed. Real Madrid secured their spot with a 1-0 win over Juventus and will face Borussia Dortmund in a rematch of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final; Dortmund advanced by defeating Monterrey 2-1. The much-anticipated clash between the Bellingham brothers is postponed, as Dortmund`s Jobe Bellingham is suspended for Saturday`s quarterfinal against Jude Bellingham`s Real Madrid.
The biggest surprises of the Club World Cup so far occurred on Monday. First, Fluminense`s 2-0 victory over Inter could be seen as an upset waiting to happen, given Inter`s recent form. Fluminense is one of two remaining Brazilian teams, continuing the strong presence of clubs from the country. More surprising was Al-Hilal`s thrilling 4-3 extra-time win against Manchester City. Despite City`s dominance with 30 shots, defensive sloppiness proved costly, leaving Al-Hilal as the only team from outside Europe and South America still in the competition.
Related Soccer Highlights
- Insights on the USMNT`s Gold Cup campaign from Tim Ream and focus on emerging players.
- CBS Sports analysts` predictions for the Women`s Euro tournament outcomes.
- Reports on USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes nearing a transfer move to OL Lyon.
- Discussion surrounding Arsenal`s search for a left winger and the possibility of signing Rodrygo.
- An explanation of recent internal tensions and public disputes within Inter Milan.
- A look back at some of the most disappointing high-profile player signings in MLS history.
Betting Insights
Betting Pick: Real Madrid to Win the Club World Cup (+270). While Paris Saint-Germain might still be considered favorites, Real Madrid presents a compelling case. The team under Xabi Alonso is showing early cohesion, featuring a mix of reliable talent like Bellingham and promising new additions such as Trent Alexander-Arnold. Academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia has also surprisingly emerged as a key threat with three goals and one assist in four games. With Manchester City`s recent exit, the path for Real Madrid to potentially win the tournament appears more favorable than before.
