Luna’s Double Sends US into CONCACAF Gold Cup Final Against Mexico/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Diego Luna scored twice early to lift the U.S. over Guatemala 2-1 in the Gold Cup semifinal. Guatemala fought back with a goal but couldn’t equalize before the final whistle. The Americans now face Mexico for the Gold Cup title Sunday in Houston.
Quick Look
- Diego Luna scores twice for early US lead.
- Guatemala outshoots US but falls 2-1 in semifinal.
- US faces Mexico in Gold Cup final Sunday.
- Crowd of 22,423 mostly cheered for Guatemala.
- Rubin’s first-half goal disallowed for offside.
- Escobar scores late for Guatemala’s lone goal.
- US seeks eighth Gold Cup title in Houston.
Luna Nets Two as US Tops Guatemala 2-1, Advances to Gold Cup Final Against Mexico
Deep Look
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Diego Luna scored twice in the opening 15 minutes to power the United States past Guatemala 2-1 on Wednesday night, sending the Americans to their first CONCACAF Gold Cup final since 2021.
Luna struck early, firing a left-footed shot into the net in the fourth minute, and followed up with a right-footed finish in the 15th, marking his third goal in two games.
Guatemala pulled one back in the 80th minute when 18-year-old Olger Escobar, born in Lynn, Massachusetts, cut inside and slipped a shot past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese for his second goal of the tournament. Freese later parried away a dangerous shot from José Morales in stoppage time to preserve the win.
The U.S., ranked 16th, now faces defending champion Mexico on Sunday in Houston for the Gold Cup title—their final competitive match before their World Cup opener next June. Mexico leads the tournament with nine Gold Cup trophies, followed by the U.S. with seven and Canada with one.
This marks the Americans’ 13th Gold Cup final appearance, with all five of their losses coming against Mexico.
Guatemala, ranked 106th and still seeking its first final berth, kept the pressure on the U.S., outshooting them 13-1 over the final 30 minutes of the first half and 20-12 overall. Energizer Park hosted a pro-Guatemala crowd of 22,423 for the semifinal clash.
Luna’s first goal came after Alex Freeman sent a cross toward Malik Tillman, who nudged it to Luca de la Torre. His shot was spilled by goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro, allowing Luna to pounce, shift the ball to his left, and fire it past Navarro’s outstretched hand.
His second came 11 minutes later after a cross-field pass from Tillman found Luna about 40 yards from goal. He dribbled forward, beat defender José Carlos Pinto with a slick stepover, and rifled a shot inside the near post from the edge of the penalty area.
Guatemala featured two former U.S. players in its starting lineup: 29-year-old forward Rubio Rubin, who earned seven caps for the U.S. from 2014 to 2018 before switching allegiance in 2022, and 28-year-old defender Aaron Herrera, who made one U.S. appearance in 2021 before switching in 2023.
Rubin had a goal disallowed for offside in the 29th minute and forced a kick save from Freese in the 34th.
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