After a quarterfinal round that delivered far more excitement than many might have expected, are more thrills ahead in tonight’s Gold Cup semifinals? First up, the USA will meet Guatemala in St. Louis, with Mexico vs. Honduras the other matchup on the semifinal slate.
Will the USMNT reach its 14th Gold Cup final? Soccer odds at top online sportsbooks have the hosts as massive favorites, but Guatemala was in a similar spot ahead of Sunday’s shocking upset of Canada.
Bet on the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Top Online Sportsbooks
USA Looking to Survive and Advance Again
When the Gold Cup draw was revealed, many North American soccer fans would have been eyeing a potential semifinal showdown between the USA and Canada and a potential USA vs. Mexico final.
The latter matchup is still in play, but the other was spoiled in stunning fashion on Sunday. Canada went ahead on the half-hour mark against Guatemala, but the game changed when Canada midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg was sent off late in the first half for a second yellow card.
Guatemala made the man advantage count with a 69th-minute equalizer, and they went on to win 6-5 in the penalty shootout to send one of the tournament favorites home.
The USA nearly suffered the same fate as Canada, as they went to penalties against Costa Rica after a 2-2 draw in regulation. In the shootout, the USA held the upper hand twice and could have won the match in the fifth round of penalties, but instead it went to a sixth round, where Damion Downs won it for the Yanks after a third shootout save by Matt Freese.
Freese’s heroics helped the USMNT reach the Gold Cup quarterfinals for the 13th straight time. The last time they failed to make the last four was 2000, when they lost to Colombia, a guest team in that year’s tournament, on penalties.
While the USA has been a fixture at this stage of the Gold Cup, Guatemala is back in the semis for the first time since 1996 and seeking a first final appearance since 1969.
USA vs. Guatemala Odds
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.
Spread
- USA -1.75 (-102)
- Guatemala +1.75 (-118)
Moneyline (Regulation Only)
- USA to win -390
- Guatemala to win +1075
- Draw +495
Over/Under
- Over 2.75 (-122)
- Under 2.75 (+102)
USA vs. Guatemala Prediction and Picks
The USA and Guatemala have not met since March 29, 2016, a 4-0 win for the Americans in Columbus, Ohio.
Four days prior to that most recent matchup, Guatemala defeated the U.S. for the first time ever, with MLS legend Carlos Ruiz helping Guatemala pull off a 2-0 win in Guatemala City.
That loss proved to be a sign of things to come for the USMNT in its ill-fated 2018 World Cup qualification campaign.
They are safe and secure in a World Cup spot this time around since they are hosting next year’s tournament, but a loss tonight could be damaging for the USMNT, or at least for the perception of coach Mauricio Pochettino, given the four losses that have already occurred this year and some uninspiring performances in wins in the Gold Cup.
Fortunately, that should not come to pass. Nothing should diminish what Guatemala did to defeat Canada, but that match would have been much, much different had Shaffelburg not managed to get two yellow cards in the final several minutes of the first half.
The USA’s last five wins over Guatemala have all come by multiple goals, and this one should as well. You would like to think that they will come out with intent, look to get on the scoreboard early, and put this one away as soon as possible with both their close shave against Costa Rica and Guatemala’s comeback against Canada in mind.
If they do have that mindset, there should be no late drama. If they do not, some serious questions will need to be asked, even if they scrape through to the final.
USA vs. Guatemala Prediction: USA to win
USA vs. Guatemala Picks: USA -1.5 (-102 at BetOnline) & USA/Guatemala first half over 1.5 (+140 at Everygame)
Other Soccer Betting Content
Betting News provides coverage and betting content for club and international soccer year-round, and we have plenty in store for the coming weeks. For the CONCACAF Gold Cup, we are providing expert predictions and picks for numerous games, including USA vs. Guatemala. Additionally, continue to follow our coverage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as well as our takes on the top transfers in this summer’s transfer window.
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