Guatemala Ends 29-Year Gold Cup Drought Reaching Semifinals

The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals feature a notable underdog, Guatemala, who reached this stage for the first time since 1996 by defeating Canada in a tense penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) also advanced to the semifinals following a shootout victory against Costa Rica, with key contributions from goalkeeper Matt Freese and first-time international goal scorers Diego Luna and Max Arfsten. Guatemala, ranked 106th by FIFA, has shown strong tactical improvement under coach Luis Fernando Tena, with a roster mainly composed of domestic league players and some competing in the American soccer pyramid. Mexico and Honduras also secured semifinal spots, with Mexico aiming to defend their record nine Gold Cup titles and Honduras achieving a penalty shootout win over Panama. The semifinal matches are set to take place in venues including St. Louis's Energizer Park and Houston's NRG Stadium, with the final scheduled for July 6 in Houston. Guatemala's advancement is historic, highlighting their tactical growth and resilience, while the USMNT seeks their eighth Gold Cup title and first since 2021.