SOCCER · 1 year ago

USMNT vs Guatemala Preview: Odds, Predictions & Best Bets

David Connelly

Host · Writer

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) squares off against Guatemala in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal on Sunday night. With Mauricio Pochettino’s squad looking to fine-tune its tactics and maintain dominance against Central American opposition, this clash promises to test the team’s depth and challenge its youthfulness. Guatemala, known for its scrappy, organized style, won’t make it easy, setting the stage for an intriguing battle on both sides of the pitch. In this preview, we break down key players, tactical storylines, and the best betting angles to watch when these two CONCACAF nations meet.

Where to Watch USMNT vs. Guatemala

Arena: Energizer Park
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Date: Wednesday, July 2nd
Where to Watch: FS1
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
3-Way Moneyline: USA -340 | Draw +470 | GUA +700
Total: Over 2.5 (-156) | Under 2.5 (+110)

A potential scandal has already taken hold of this intriguing semifinal. CBS Sports has reported that both a drone and a group of people were caught filming a USMNT training session in St. Louis on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether these incidents were related or if Guatemala was involved, but it does create some drama ahead of Wednesday night’s match.

Speaking of drama, there was plenty of it in Minneapolis on Sunday night as the United States narrowly advanced past Costa Rica on penalties in the quarterfinal. Goalkeeper Matt Freese – who is one of many players looking to carve out a starting spot ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – was an American hero, making three incredible saves in the shootout to help his squad reach the semifinal.

What a dream run for Guatemala throughout this Gold Cup. The Central American nation pulled off an upset victory over Jamaica in the group stage en route to a second-place finish in Group C. The true stunner came in the quarterfinal on Sunday when Guatemala knocked off dark horse contender Canada in a penalty shootout, reaching the semifinal for the first time in nearly three decades.

We’re going to throw together a mini parlay here with two legs, heavily correlated to the U.S. side of things. The Guatemalans have done a brilliant job advancing to this stage of the tournament, but the road stops here against a far superior United States squad.