The stage is set for a crucial 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal clash between the USMNT and Guatemala on Wednesday. The American squad has advanced in the tournament despite the absence of several key superstar players. They secured their spot in the semifinal after overcoming Costa Rica in a penalty shootout during the quarterfinal round.
Guatemala, defying expectations as underdogs, also reached the semifinals. Their path included a hard-fought victory over Canada in the quarterfinals, decided by a 6-5 margin on penalties after ending regulation tied at 1-1.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. ET at Energizer Park in St. Louis. The USMNT is considered a strong favorite with odds of -375, while Guatemala is the underdog at +950. A draw after 90 minutes is priced at +475, and the over/under for total goals is 2.5.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 90-minute money line | USA -375, Draw +475, Guatemala +950 |
| Over/under | 2.5 goals |
| To advance | USA -900, Guatemala +500 |
| Streaming | Fubo |
Why Guatemala Could Win
Guatemala enters Wednesday`s match as significant underdogs, but they have demonstrated the ability to secure wins against favored opponents. Their surprise victories against Jamaica and Guadeloupe in the group stage were instrumental in their progression. In the quarterfinals, they battled back from an early deficit against Canada, who were heavily favored (-380), holding them to a draw before winning on penalties.
In their quarterfinal performance against Canada, Guatemala also showed strong statistical dominance in possession, shots, shots on target, passes, and pass accuracy. A similar level of performance could make them a challenging and potentially dangerous opponent for the United States.
Why the USMNT Could Win
Despite playing without prominent players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, the U.S. team has seen key contributions from players such as Malik Tillman, Maximilian Arfsten, and Diego Luna, who have scored crucial goals, and goalkeeper Matt Freese, who has made important saves. While acknowledging that the USMNT`s defense appeared inconsistent against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals, the expert believes they are capable of elevating their performance for this match.
According to the analyst, “This is by no means a vintage USMNT team, as so many key players are missing, but they should still have enough quality to beat Guatemala.” He added that the team has controlled possession in all four of their games in the tournament so far, suggesting that attacking players like Tillman, Luna, and Patrick Agyemang have the potential to lead them to the final.
The USMNT vs. Guatemala semifinal promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams vie for a place in the final.
