The US Men’s National Team took on an improved and plucky Guatemala side that hasn’t reached the Semi-Finals in a very long time. Battled for the entire 90 minutes at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri, but after the final whistle was blown, it would be the USA advancing to the Finals by a final score of two goals to one.
It was the Diego Luna show, as he stepped up and told everyone on his team that he would lead them to the Championship Final. In the fourth minute, a well-worked goal was scored. As Alex Freeman was on the near side, he crossed it toward the top of the area. Malik Tillman dummied the ball toward Luca de la Torre to take the shot. It was saved, but left a juicy rebound to Luna, who put it home.
In the 15th minute, another fabulous goal was scored. Tillman was moving the ball up the near side, saw Luna wide open, and crossed the ball toward him on the far side. As Luna took two to three touches and entered the area, he smashed it low and hard to beat Kenderson Navarro inside the far post—first two-goal game in a USMNT jersey for Luna.
Late in the second half, Guatemala pulled one back. In the 80th minute, Arquimidez Ordoñez had the ball along the far side. Made a nice pass to Olger Escobar, as both men found a way to confuse the USA’s defenders and used them as a screen to take the shot, and Escobar buried his chance inside the near post. Matt Freese just couldn’t get his hands on the ball.
After four to five minutes of second-half stoppage time, referee Oshane Nation blew the final whistle, and the US Men’s National Team is headed to NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, for the Championship Final of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. While there were still some issues with finishing chances, defensively, they looked strong and confident.
Matt Freese played a powerful game in his net. Made correct decisions, and came off his line when necessary to stop any chances from Guatemala. Head Coach Maurico Pochettino should be proud of his players, but even he knows they need more work before they play either Mexico or Honduras in the Gold Cup Final down in Houston.
But overall, this was a coming-out party for Diego Luna, who showed he wanted the ball and to carry the flag of US Soccer. He wants to tell his teammates to jump on his back while he rides to victory at all costs. This is the attitude that many fans felt was missing from this team in the Copa America last summer and in the CONCACAF Nations League this past March. Now they could win it all on Sunday.
Related Bad Dawg Sports USMNT Coverage:
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- Preview: USMNT takes on a tough Saudi Arabia Team
- Richards Winner Barely Puts USA in the Quarters
- USMNT Edges Haiti, Sweeps Group D
- U.S. Survives Costa Rica in Penalty Shootout Drama to Advance at CONCACAF Gold Cup
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