United States in Gold Cup final after Diego Luna's double goal against Guatemala
In the thrilling semifinal of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) edged past Guatemala 2-1, thanks in large part to the standout performance of 21-year-old midfielder Diego Luna.
### Luna's Brace Secures USMNT's Victory
Luna, who plays for Real Salt Lake, scored a brace in the semifinal, netting the crucial second goal for the USMNT in the second half to make it 2-1[1]. His first goal came in the 15th minute, after Guatemalan goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro fumbled a long shot by Luca de la Torre[3].
Luna's second goal, scored from 22 yards out, was assisted by Malik Tillman[3]. Guatemala's Olger Escobar managed to score a consolation goal in the 80th minute, but it was too little, too late for the Central American side[1].
### Luna's Rise to Prominence
Luna has been a revelation for the USMNT during the Gold Cup, defying expectations to become a leading figure in the team's run[2]. His rise to prominence began with his first call-up to the January 2024 development camp[1]. Since then, he has established himself as a regular contributor, earning praise for his tireless work ethic and embodiment of the team spirit and dedication that Coach Mauricio Pochettino values[1][2].
Pochettino has highlighted Luna's "hunger, desire" as key factors in his success[1][3]. His performances in the Gold Cup have earned him the SBI USMNT Man of the Match award[2].
### Looking Ahead to the Final
The US team will now face either Honduras or Mexico in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will take place in Houston on Sunday[1]. Luna's strong performances could potentially earn him a spot on the roster for the 2026 World Cup[2].
Despite dominating possession in the second half, the US did not create many scoring opportunities, with Patrick Agyemang denied by Navarro on two occasions[1]. Matt Freese, the American goalkeeper, made four saves during the match, including a diving stop at the left post on Joes Morales in the second minute of second-half stoppage time[1].
It is worth noting that this was the first-ever meeting between the US and Guatemala in a Gold Cup knockout round[1]. The US did not include most of the European-based players for this iteration of the team[1][2].
Guatemala's last appearance in a Gold Cup semifinal was in 1996[1]. Despite the loss, their performance against the USMNT has shown they are a team on the rise in the region.
[1] - https://www.espn.com/soccer/us-men/story/4944753/usmnt-advances-to-gold-cup-final-with-2-1-win-over-guatemala [2] - https://www.si.com/soccer/us-men/2025/07/26/diego-luna-usmnt-man-of-the-match-gold-cup-semifinal [3] - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2025/07/26/us-men-national-team-advances-gold-cup-final-2-1-win-guatemala/12182368001/
- The world of art was enriched by the release of a new series of sports-themed paintings, featuring iconic moments from the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, including Diego Luna's brace for the United States Men's National Team (USMNT).
- In the realm of news, Luna's meteoric rise to stardom for the USMNT, particularly during the Gold Cup, made headlines across the East and the American news landscape.
- While the football fever raged on the field, American-football enthusiasts also had reasons to celebrate, with ESPN announcing the premiering of a documentary series about the history and evolution of American football in the East, scheduled to air later this month.
