USMNT vs Guatemala National Football Team Lineups

The 2025 Gold Cup semifinal between the USMNT and Guatemala gave fans a night to remember. It wasn’t just a match—it was a battle full of energy, goals, and young stars ready to shine.

Both teams came in strong, fighting for a chance to reach the final. The USMNT vs Guatemala national football team lineups showed us how each manager trusted certain players to deliver. This article will walk you through the full starting lineups, explain each player’s role, and break down the big decisions made before the game even began.

Let’s take a closer look at who started, how they played, and why it mattered.

What Was at Stake in the Semifinal

This wasn’t just any match—it was the semifinal of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. A win here would send one team to the final and give them a chance to lift the trophy. For the USMNT, this was about proving their younger squad could handle the pressure. For Guatemala, it was a chance to make history.

The pressure was high, and every decision mattered—from the formation to the final whistle. Fans in the stadium and watching at home were on the edge of their seats from the first minute to the last.

So when we talk about the lineups, we’re really talking about the plan behind the game—the players each coach picked to give their team the best shot at winning.

USMNT vs Guatemala National Football Team Lineups at a Glance

Let’s start by looking at the two starting lineups. Both teams used similar setups, but with different types of players.

USMNT Starting XI (4-2-3-1):

• Goalkeeper: Matt Freese

• Defenders: Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream (C), Max Arfsten

• Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Sebastian Berhalter, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna

• Forward: Patrick Agyemang

Guatemala Starting XI (4-3-3):

• Goalkeeper: Kenderson Navarro

• Defenders: Aaron Herrera, José Pinto (C), Nicolás Samayoa, José Morales

• Midfielders: Stheven Robles, José Rosales, Rudy Muñoz

• Forwards: Rubio Rubín, Óscar Santis, Carlos Mejía (later subbed by Escobar)

Both coaches went with familiar shapes but filled them with players who brought different strengths. Now, let’s explore the USMNT lineup in more detail.

🇺🇸 USMNT Starting XI: Players and Positions

The USMNT lineup followed a 4-2-3-1 shape. This setup gives strength in the midfield while still allowing players to go forward and attack. Here’s how it looked:

• Matt Freese was in goal. He played with confidence, making strong saves throughout the match.

• Tim Ream, the captain, brought leadership and calm at the back.

• Chris Richards handled the pressure and stayed solid in defense.

• Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten added width as fullbacks and helped move the ball forward.

In midfield:

• Tyler Adams was the shield. He broke up attacks and passed the ball well.

• Luca de la Torre added creativity and moved the ball with ease.

• Sebastian Berhalter gave balance and supported both ends of the field.

Up front:

• Malik Tillman created chances and worked hard.

• Diego Luna was the star. He scored two great goals and showed brilliant skill.

• Patrick Agyemang was the main forward. He didn’t score but helped open space for others.

This lineup mixed youth and experience. And as we’ll see, it worked very well for the Americans.

🇬🇹 Guatemala Starting XI: How They Lined Up

Guatemala’s manager, Luis Fernando Tena, used a 4-3-3 system. This gave them strong midfield numbers and quick players in attack.

• Kenderson Navarro played in goal and made some big saves.

• José Pinto, the captain, led the defense with calm and focus.

• Aaron Herrera tried to push forward when possible.

• Nicolás Samayoa and José Morales stayed busy stopping US attacks.

In midfield, the trio of Robles, Rosales, and Muñoz worked hard to win the ball and start quick attacks.

The attack was led by:

• Rubio Rubín, a tricky forward with good footwork.

• Óscar Santis, who brought pace and energy.

• Carlos Mejía, who was later replaced by Olger Escobar, the player who scored Guatemala’s only goal.

This lineup showed a good mix of defense and counter-attacking speed. They pushed hard and made the game a real battle.

Key Players in the USMNT Lineup

A few names stood out from the US side—and not just because they scored.

• Diego Luna was the man of the match. He scored two goals, one early in the match and another from outside the box. His calm, smart play made the difference.

• Matt Freese, the goalkeeper, made four strong saves. He helped keep the lead when things got tough.

• Malik Tillman helped create chances. He assisted Luna’s second goal and stayed active, even while dealing with some tough fouls.

This trio led the way, but the whole team played their part.

Top Performers in the Guatemala Lineup

Even though Guatemala lost, they didn’t go down quietly. Several players gave strong performances.

• Olger Escobar, the substitute, gave Guatemala hope with a goal in the 80th minute.

• Rubio Rubín kept the US defense busy with smart movement and quick touches.

• Kenderson Navarro made great saves that kept the score close and showed real quality.

These players showed heart and gave everything they had for the team. Their effort made the game exciting until the final whistle.

Team Formations and Tactics Explained

Now that we know who started, let’s talk about how they played. Both teams used smart tactics and clear game plans to try and win.

The USMNT played with a 4-2-3-1 formation. This shape gave them strength in the middle and freedom in attack. With Tyler Adams and Luca de la Torre controlling the center, the team stayed balanced. Diego Luna and Malik Tillman brought energy in attack, while Patrick Agyemang kept the defenders busy. It was a mix of strong defense and fast, creative play going forward.

Guatemala used a 4-3-3 shape. This helped them defend as a group and break forward quickly. Their midfielders worked hard to stop the US from creating chances. Players like Rubio Rubín and Óscar Santis looked for space to run into. In the second half, Guatemala pushed harder and tried to catch the US on the counter-attack.

Big Moments That Changed the Game

This match had a few big moments that changed everything. And most of them came early.

In just the 4th minute, Diego Luna scored the first goal for the US. The ball bounced off a blocked shot, and Luna was ready. He kicked it in from close range and gave the USMNT the perfect start.

Only 11 minutes later, Luna did it again! He hit a powerful shot from outside the box and made it 2-0. It was a great strike, and the crowd in St. Louis went wild.

In the 80th minute, Olger Escobar gave Guatemala some hope. He scored from inside the box to make it 2-1. But even with that goal, the US defense stayed strong and held on to the win.

Goalkeeper Showdown: Freese vs Navarro

Goalkeepers often don’t get much attention, but in this match, they played a big part.

Matt Freese, the USMNT goalkeeper, had a great night. He made four strong saves, including one close-range stop in the second half. His calm and quick reactions helped keep the US in the lead.

On the other side, Kenderson Navarro also did well for Guatemala. Even though he let in two goals, he made several tough saves. Without him, the score could have been higher. His performance showed heart and talent.

Both keepers gave their all and showed why they were trusted to start in this big game.

What the Lineups Say About Team Strategy

Looking at the USMNT vs Guatemala national football team lineups, you can learn a lot about how each team wanted to play.

The USMNT lineup showed a focus on balance. There was a mix of young talent and experienced leaders. Players like Tim Ream helped organize the backline, while Luna and Tillman brought flair in attack. The coaches trusted their younger players, and it paid off.

Guatemala’s lineup was built for defense and quick breaks. They knew the US would try to control the game. So, they stayed compact and waited for chances to strike back. The plan almost worked—especially when Escobar scored late—but they just ran out of time.

Both lineups were strong in their own way. And that’s what made the match exciting to watch.

Impact on the Teams’ Future

The result of this game meant more than just a trip to the final. It also gave both teams something to think about for the future.

For the USMNT, the win was a big step forward. They reached the Gold Cup Final once again, even without many of their usual stars. Players like Diego Luna showed that the future is bright. This lineup proved that the US has depth, talent, and a strong team spirit.

For Guatemala, the loss was tough, but the tournament gave them hope. Their young players showed fight, skill, and passion. Scoring late in a semifinal against the US is no small thing. Players like Rubín, Navarro, and Escobar can lead the next generation of Guatemalan football.

Conclusion

The USMNT vs Guatemala national football team lineups helped shape one of the most exciting games of the 2025 Gold Cup. Every player had a role to play. Every decision from the coaches mattered.

In the end, Diego Luna’s two goals and a strong team performance gave the USMNT a 2-1 win and a ticket to the final. Guatemala fought hard and made their fans proud.

This match showed us the beauty of international football—where talent, teamwork, and heart all come together.

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