Only two nations have reached the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup more than 3 times, and the 2025 tournament has once again set the United States and Mexico on a collision course for the Gold Cup final. In a tournament where rosters are not full strength, and fan attendance is significantly down, there’s still plenty of pride to play for, for the remaining four nations. Here is a look at the tournament thus far, and a preview for both semifinals.
Panama, Team USA Cruise in the Group Stage
Playing this tournament every two years, in front of an average crowd of 21,000~, has made the Gold Cup lose its luster. Mexico kicked off the tournament with a narrow win over a feisty Dominican Republic side that is full of dual internationals who are based in Europe. It was Cesar Montes that scored the winning goal, as El Tri held off the comeback attempt from DR.
Costa Rica would narrowly beat Suriname and DR before drawing with Mexico to finish second in the group, as Mexico’s Montes scored three goals in the group stage for his part.
In Group B, Canada topped the group, but a draw against Curacao was a sign of future challenges to come for what is considered to be a relatively full strength squad for the third World Cup host nation. Honduras were annihilated by Canada but recovered to defeat El Salvador and Curacao to reach the knockout phase.
Panama’s closest game came against Guatemala as they topped group C with three wins, while a more MLS centric Team USA side put in a mixed performance but were undefeated across three games to top Group D.
Mexico the only team to avoid penalties in the Gold Cup Quarterfinals
The knockout phase got interesting, as Honduras upset Panama on penalties. Choco Lozano (Santos Laguna) scored in the 82nd minute for Honduras, and then they converted five of six penalties to win the penalty shootout. Honduras doesn’t create a lot of scoring chances, but Panama couldn’t find the second goal they needed to put the game away.
Alexis Vega (Toluca) was the goalscorer as Mexico continued to advance, defeating Saudi Arabia 2-0. 16 year old Gilberto Mora was on debut for Mexico in this one, as the Saudis never put a foot in offensively.
The United States reached the semifinal with a shootout win over Costa Rica, Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) was responsible for a penalty that saw Costa Rica score, but Arfsten also scored a goal, alongside Diego Luna for the stars and stripes. Goalkeeper Matt Freese was the hero, the NYFC man in his debut season for the national team was key to saving penalties.
The big upset was unheralded Guatemala over Canada on penalties, Rubio Rubin from the USL side Charleston Battery matched Jonathan David’s first half goal to force penalty kicks. Guatemala then converted five of six kicks against a celebrated Canadian team to make some history of their own. Canada spent the second half playing with 10 men, something that limited Canada’s attack.
Guatemala vs USA, Honduras vs Mexico are the Gold Cup Semifinals
Playing in their first semifinal of the Gold Cup since 1996, Guatemala takes on the United States, while Honduras will be upset minded against Mexico. The two sides favored to reach the final have more depth, and on paper, more talent, but Guatemala and Honduras play with a ton of heart. If they can force penalty kicks, anything is possible, but the United States and Mexico have relative confidence they will meet in yet another Gold Cup final.
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire, Mexico,
