Diego Luna scored both goals as the United States beat Guatemala 2-1 in St Louis on Wednesday to reach the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The USA will meet with the winner of Wednesday`s other semi-final, between Mexico and Honduras, in Sunday`s final in Houston. Luna, an exciting talent who plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, put the USA ahead in the 4th minute when a Luca de la Torre shot was parried out and the 21-year-old pounced to slot home.
The winger, who came up through the ranks of lower division football in Texas, then doubled the advantage in the 15th minute with a brilliant, individual goal. Luna picked up the ball in space in midfield and dribbled goalwards, skipping a challenge before firing home from over 20 yards out. Guatemala striker Rubio Rubin had an effort saved by USA keeper Matt Freese and then another disallowed for offside to the frustration of his team`s large and noisy travelling support.
Sebastian Berhalter went close to a third just before the break with a free-kick which deflected off the wall and was well saved by Kenderson Navarro. Mauricio Pochettino`s USA, who came into the tournament on the back of a four-game losing streak, began to come under more and more pressure from a lively Guatemala after the interval. That pressure intensified after the Central Americans scored in the 80th minute when Arquimides Ordonez dribbled into the box and 18-year-old Boston-born Olger Escobar fired home.
The home fans held their breath in stoppage time when Jose Morales drilled a low shot from the edge of the box but Freese did well get down and push the ball wide. Luna`s performances will bolster his chances of making the squad for the World Cup next year even when regular starters such as Christian Pulisic return.
“Every single one of these players think about it the same way I do, that this is the number one dream we had as a kid and we are going to fight to have as many chances to wear (this shirt) as we can,” said Luna. The Californian, of Mexican heritage, was praised by teammate Berhalter for his two crucial goals. “He does stuff like that, scoring two goals like that in a semi-final, it is why he`s him and he`s one of the best players in MLS and one of the best players here,” he said.
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