Mauricio Pochettino’s USA face Guatemala for a place in the final of the 2025 Gold Cup with the hosts under pressure to make a point.
By Graham Ruthven
A turning point
The US men’s national team’s penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica was far from perfect, but Mauricio Pochettino’s hope is that the jolt of confidence it gave his side will propel them to Gold Cup glory.
This is a USA team that has faced a lot of criticism over the summer. Key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson and Tim Weah are missing and so Pochettino has had to count on a group of youngsters and fringe figures.
Over the course of the Gold Cup, though, things have started to come together. Pochettino has given the USA a consistent approach and framework. Now, after seeing off Costa Rica in the last round, they might finally have some momentum.
Guatemala have some momentum of their own after pulling off a shock against Canada in the quarter-finals. They too came through a penalty shootout, dumping out one of the tournament favourites.
Los Chapines haven’t made this far in the Gold Cup since 1996 and now have their sights set on making the final for the first time in 55 years. For a national team suspended by FIFA less than a decade ago, it’s a remarkable rise.
Key players
Malik Tillman has been the main man for the USA at this summer’s Gold Cup. The PSV playmaker has registered four goal involvements (three goals, one assist) in four games, setting up Max Arfsten for a well-worked goal against Costa Rica.
Pochettino has also built around Diego Luna in the attacking third with the Real Salt Lake youngster bringing the sort of energy and intensity the Argentine coach wants to see from his USA side. Luna sets the tone for a lot.
Tyler Adams will anchor things for the USA in the centre of the pitch with Pochettino almost certain to stick with the back four of Arfsten, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream and Chris Richards which has kept two clean sheets in four games.
Guatemala will look to sit deep and stay compact against the USA, hitting out on the counter when they have the opportunity. Rubio Rubin will lead the line for Los Chapines against the country of his birth.
Aaron Herrera will be key for the underdogs down the right side with the DC United defender’s deliveries into the box a route to goal. Oscar Santis could also pose a threat in quick transition down the left.
Team news
In demand Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso is back in training following an ankle injury, but might not be ready to feature in the centre of midfield for the USA on Wednesday.
Pochettino is expected to stick with Matt Freese as his first-choice goalkeeper after his shootout heroics against Costa Rica while Sebastian Berhalter, Luca De La Torre and Jack McGlynn are fighting it out for a spot in the midfield.
Columbus Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen is Guatemala’s only injury concern for the match. It’s entirely possible Luis Fernando Tena will run out the same lineup that beat Canada on Sunday.
Prediction
In keeping with the recent results of both sides in the tournament, we think this will be another tight one. But the superior defence boasted by the USMNT, and the form of their attacking players, should see Pochettino’s side through to the final: USA 1-0 Guatemala.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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