USA Vs Guatemala, CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025: USMNT’s New-found Fight Not Enough For Final, Says Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino has been impressed with his United States team's new-found fight but insisted that would not be enough to reach the Gold Cup final. 

Pochettino has guided his side to the semi-finals of the competition, where they will face Guatemala for a place in the showpiece match in Houston on Sunday. 

The USA eased through their Group D fixtures, taking maximum points while scoring eight goals, a total only Canada (nine) and Panama (10) bettered in the first stage. 

But they were pushed all the way in their quarter-final clash with Costa Rica, playing out a 2-2 draw before Matt Freese's heroics sealed a 4-3 win in the penalty shootout. 

Heading into the tournament, the USA had lost four games in a row. That run included a poor CONCACAF Nations League Finals campaign as they finished fourth in the competition. 

Pochettino believes his players have grown in confidence during their run to the final four at the Gold Cup, though he urged them not to let their journey end here. 

"We have confidence in our selection (we have a) culture of guys who want to fight for each other," Pochettino said. 

"I think we are seeing this in the whole group. We are motivated to win and to go out and fight. 

"We are a team. We are very connected. You cannot force this. You cannot push. You can only create the platform.

"We want to represent our country and fight for our shirt. We want a run to the final."

Pochettino acknowledged that the USA's clash against Guatemala, who have been the tournament's surprise package, would be anything but easy. 

Guatemala finished as runners-up in Group C behind Panama before going on to stun Canada in the quarter-finals, with Jose Morales the hero in the penalty shootout. 

They will feature in the semi-finals of the Gold Cup for the first time since 1996, and Pochettino highlighted what his team need to do to ensure they progress. 

"This is a difficult match, tough, they are an organised team and they have a great coach. They are growing their quality," Pochettino said.

"There are a lot of teams in Central America that are increasing their level. 

"We have to play with desire, energy, aggression. But we don't just want a team to fight, we want to develop the team as well. 

"We install the desire, motive, drive and the fighting for teammates, and then we start with all kinds of tactics. Now we play every single game to be the best and to perform."

The winner of the semi-final will face either Honduras or defending champions Mexico.