The US and Guatemala will face each other head-to-head in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals at FOX on Wednesday for the first time in almost a decade (kickoff at 7pm; coverage begins at 6pm on FS1).
The US and Guatemala have not played each other since the 2016 World Cup Qualifier semi-finals and since both sides have won their own home matches. It was the only loss in the US in the past 23 meetings with Guatemala (16W-6D-1L).
The US never lost to Guatemala at home, winning 14 of 15 games, only 2007’s Friendly. Could that change on Wednesday? This is everything you need to know about a highly anticipated match.
How to see the United States and Guatemala:
The match will air on Wednesday, July 2nd at 7pm on FS1 and the Fox Sports app.
Previous Gold Cup US:
- The US is in the 17th record Gold Cup semi-final, and missed it only in 2000. They continue their 13 semi-finals, the longest winning streak in Gold Cup history.
- The US is seeking a record 13th Gold Cup final and an eighth Gold Cup title. They went out to the 2023 Gold Cup semi-finals vs. Panama, but the US has never missed back-to-back Gold Cup finals.
- In the second straight gold cup, the US needed penalties to advance in the quarterfinals. After being eliminated from B Canada in the quarterfinals two years ago, the US reached the semi-finals this year by eliminating Costa Rica with a penalty after a 2-2 draw.
- Matt Freeze became the second-keeper in team history to save three penalties in a competitive shootout, in line with Tony Meola’s feat in the 1991 Gold Cup final.
- With four shots of assist and joint team in the quarterfinals, Mariktilman continues to shine. He led the US in goals (3), tackles (16), interceptions (7) and recovery (27) in the tournament, creating six chances that tied third in the team.
Scouting Guatemala:
- Guatemala was the biggest surprise of the tournament, making his first advance to the Gold Cup knockout stage, reaching his second Gold Cup semi-final (reaching the first Gold Cup semi-finals).
- Guatemala has not reached the Concacaf final since the Gold Cup began in 1991. He played three finals of the Konka Kaff Championship in the 1960s, winning in 1967 and running in 1965 and 1969.
- Guatemala is ranked 106th in the FIFA rankings, third lowest among the 15 ranked teams in this tournament (Guadeloupe is not a FIFA rank). The only ranked team to reach the Gold Cup semi-finals was 145th in Guatemala in 1996. The Guatemala team in 1996 lost to Mexico 1-0 in the semi-finals, finishing fourth.
- Oregon-born Rubio Rubin had a Guatemala equalizer in the quarter-finals. He is the only Guatemalan player to score two goals in the tournament, scoring in Guatemala’s final two games. He has had three goals with five caps since March, all three goals being the winner or equalizer of the game.
- These teams played very different styles here. The US leads the tournament by 66% possession and plus 41 shots. Guatemala’s 44% ownership ranks sixth among the knockout stage teams. The difference between minus 14 shots is the seventh.
How to see the United States and Guatemala:
The match will air on Wednesday, July 2nd at 7pm on FS1 and the Fox Sports app.
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