Tyler Adams Emphasises US’s Serious Approach to Guatemala Ahead of Gold Cup Semifinals

The United States, seven-time champions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, are determined not to underestimate Guatemala in Wednesday’s semi-final, despite being clear favourites, as stated by midfielder Tyler Adams.

Guatemala, currently ranked 106th in the world, has made it to the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time since 1996, having pulled off an impressive upset against former champions Canada, winning 6-5 on penalties. Meanwhile, the 16th-ranked US team has progressed to the semi-finals for the 13th consecutive time.

“We recognise how formidable Guatemala is. There’s a reason they’ve made it to the semi-finals, so we mustn’t take this chance to face them lightly,” Adams remarked to the media on Tuesday.

He also noted that it would feel unusual to go up against Rubio Rubin, who previously played for the US at youth level before opting to represent Guatemala.

Rubin played a key role in Guatemala’s success against Canada, scoring the equaliser in their 1-1 draw before excelling in the penalty shootout.

“It’s always a bit odd, of course, when you’ve played alongside someone in the youth national team and now you find yourself competing against them in a Gold Cup match, but it will certainly be a distinctive experience,” Adams reflected.

“He’s made quite an impact, so I’m looking forward to this matchup against him.”

The US squad also relied on penalties to secure their spot in the semi-finals after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Costa Rica. Manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his pride in the team’s collective spirit.

“That’s exactly what we aim for. That’s how we feel, and we want to proudly represent our country, fighting for our flag and our jersey,” the Argentine coach stated.