The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) secured a spot in the final of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Guatemala. Chris Richards, a key player in the USMNT's defense, acknowledged the tough nature of the match, emphasizing that the team had to "grind it out" to earn the win.

Diego Luna emerged as the hero of the match, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes to give the USMNT an early lead. Luna's performance was a bright spot in what was otherwise a challenging game for the Americans. His first goal came just four minutes into the match, followed by a second, assisted by Malik Tillman.

Guatemala proved to be a resilient opponent, making it difficult for the USMNT to maintain their early dominance. Goalkeeper Matt Freese made four saves, including a crucial one against Rubio Rubin in the 36th minute, helping to preserve the USMNT's lead. In the 80th minute, Olger Escobar scored for Guatemala, assisted by Arquímides Ordóñez, narrowing the score to 2-1 and setting up a tense final stretch.

Throughout the match, the USMNT demonstrated a blend of experience and youth. Tim Ream, the St. Louis native, captained the team for the 20th time, tying him with Clint Dempsey on the team's captain's list. Ream's leadership and solid defensive play were crucial in securing the victory. Chris Richards partnered with Ream in central defense. Several young players also made significant contributions.

The USMNT's starting lineup featured an average of 22 caps and 12 in official competition. Mauricio Pochettino, the coach, opted to start the same lineup that began the quarterfinal match against Costa Rica. Seven of the starters were 25 years old or younger, including Chris Richards, Patrick Agyemang, Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, and Alex Freeman.

Despite the win, the USMNT recognizes the need to improve their performance heading into the final. Chris Richards's post-match comments reflect the team's understanding that they will need to elevate their game to win the Gold Cup. The team's ability to "grind it out" against Guatemala demonstrates their resilience and determination, qualities that will be essential in the final.

The USMNT will face [opponent name] in the final on Sunday. With a blend of experienced leaders and talented young players, the USMNT will aim to capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses to achieve victory in the Gold Cup final.