USMNT Advances to Gold Cup Semifinals with Win Over Costa Rica

ST. LOUIS, Missouri — The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) is set to face Guatemala in the semifinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup after a dramatic victory over Costa Rica on Sunday. The match, which ended in a 4-3 win for the U.S. in penalty kicks, showcased a determined comeback by the Americans.

The semifinal match will take place on July 2 at Energizer Park at 7 p.m. ET, broadcasted on FS1. The USMNT will face a Guatemala team that has surprised many by reaching this stage for the first time since 1996, having advanced past Canada via penalties.

In the quarterfinal match against Costa Rica, U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese made three crucial saves during the shootout. Forward Damion Downs executed the final kick, sealing the victory and propelling the U.S. into the semifinals. Before the quarterfinals, the USMNT finished Group D with three wins, beating Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti, and conceding only one goal.

Historically, the USMNT has dominated its 27 encounters with Guatemala, holding a record of 16 wins, 5 losses, and 6 draws. Their last meeting in the Gold Cup was more than two decades ago in 2007, where the U.S. won 1-0. None of the current USMNT players participated in that match, and the last instance of meeting Guatemala in World Cup qualifiers was in 2016.

With a chance to claim their 11th title match, the U.S. aims to maintain their strong Gold Cup semifinal appearance record, advancing in 17 of their 18 campaigns. Fans eagerly await the matchup in St. Louis, hoping for another memorable night for the USMNT.