Diego Luna scored twice in the first 15 minutes, and the United States hung on to beat Guatemala 2-1 on Wednesday night to reach its first CONCACAF Gold Cup final since 2021.
Luna put the U.S. ahead with a left-footed shot in the fourth minute, then scored with his right in the 15th for his third goal in two games.
Olger Escobar, an 18-year who was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, cut inside and slid a shot from inside the area between Matt Freese and the far post in the 80th for his second goal of the tournament. Freese parried Jose Morales' shot toward the far post in the second minute of stoppage time.
The U.S. plays defending champion Mexico or Honduras for the title Sunday at Houston, the Americans' last competitive match before their World Cup opener next June. El Tri has won nine Gold Cups, the U.S. seven and Canada one.
The 16th-ranked Americans advanced to the Gold Cup final for the 13th time. All five losses in finals have been to Mexico.