Guatemala edges Jamaica in CONCACAF Gold Cup opener
0Ghana mJune 17, 2025
Guatemala midfielder Kevin Ramírez, top, jumps on teammate Guatemala midfielder Óscar Santis after Santis scored a goal during the first half of their CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Jamaica on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica midfielder Jonathan Russell (18) kicks the ball defended by Guatemala midfielder Kevin Ramírez (25) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake (1) misses blocking a goal by Guatemala midfielder Óscar Santis, not pictured, during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala midfielder Oscar Santis (18) celebrates his goal with defender Jose Morales (16) midfielder Kevin Ramirez (25) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Jamaica Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere (15) stands on the field as Guatemala players celebrate a goal by midfielder Oscar Santis during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Jamaica defender Richard King, right, move the ball past Guatemala midfielder Rudy Muñoz (11) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica midfielder Leon Bailey (7) is upended by Guatemala defender José Pinto (4) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere, top, vies for the ball Guatemala defender Stheven Robles (13) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica forward Warner Brown (16) reacts after attempting to score during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Guatemala Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Guatemala head coach Luis Tena looks on during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Guatemala at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala defender Nicolas Samayoa, center top, leaps to avoid a tackle from Jamaica defender Damion Lowe, bottom, during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Guatemala defender José Pinto (4) fights off Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala defender Nicolás Samayoa, left, vies for the ball with Jamaica forward Warner Brown during the first half of their CONCACAF Gold Cup group play match on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica midfielder Jonathan Russell (18) heads the ball against Guatemala midfielder Kevin Ramirez (25) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Jamaica defender Amari’i Bell (3) and Guatemala midfielder Oscar Santis (18) chase the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere (15) and Guatemala defender Jose Pinto (4) compete for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A Guatemala fan yells during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Jamaica at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica forward Leon Bailey (7) moves the ball past Guatemala defender Jose Pinto (4) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Jamaica defender Amari’i Bell (3) moves the ball past Guatemala midfielder Oscar Santis (18) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Guatemala midfielder Pedro Altán (10) takes a goal shot against Jamaica during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala fans cheer during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Jamaica at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala forward Rubio Rubín (9) ties to head the ball against Jamaica defender Ethan Pinnock (5) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala defender Stheven Robles (13) controls the ball against Jamaica forward Renaldo Cephas (20) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala forward Rubio Rubín (9) is upended by Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere, bottom, during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala defender Aaron Herrera (7) is pushed down by Jamaica forward Rumarn Burrell (10) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala midfielder Óscar Santis (18) kicks the ball against Jamaica during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere (15) tries to head the ball against Guatemala during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala defender Aaron Herrera (7) heads the ball against Jamaica during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2025. Guatemala won 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Guatemala midfielder Kevin Ramirez (25) is tangled up with Jamaica midfielder Jonathan Russell (18) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Guatemala midfielder Kevin Ramirez (25) grabs the jersey of Jamaica midfielder Jonathan Russell (18) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Guatemala forward Rubio Mendez (9) lands on Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere (15) after jumping to head the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Two Guatemala fans embrace each other while celebrating the team’s 1-0 win against Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Guatemala defender Nicolas Samayoa signs his autograph after the team’s CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Jamaica Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Guatemala forward Darwin Lom (14) takes a selfie with fans after the team’s CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Jamaica Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fans listen to the the national anthem of Guatemala before a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match between Jamaica and Guatemala Monday, June 16, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Guatemala midfielder Kevin Ramírez, top, jumps on teammate Guatemala midfielder Óscar Santis after Santis scored a goal during the first half of their CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Jamaica on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
CARSON — The parking lot at Dignity Health Sports Park an hour before the start of Monday’s CONCACAF Group C doubleheader was early proof that the Guatemalan national team would hold the home crowd advantage.
The Los Angeles area is home to a large Guatemalan population, and many of them turned out for a celebration, which is what the night turned into. The party continued as soon as the first game between Panama and Guadeloupe ended and lasted throughout the game.
In the 32nd minute, Darwin Lom and Oscar Santis combined to give the supporters what they had been waiting for. Lom played a back-heel ball into Santis, who slipped the ball by Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake for the goal.
Guatemala had chances to increase its lead, but held on for a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in front of 18,262.
After five added minutes at the end of the game, the vast majority of the crowd celebrated.
From the outset, the game had an intense feel, but it was Guatemala, which was thriving in the moment, feeding off of the energy from the crowd, every tackle and advancing of the ball drawing loud ovations.
Last week, Jamaica defeated Guatemala, 3-0, in a World Cup qualifier.
“It was really exciting how much they gave their all,” Guatemala coach Luis Fernando Tena said through translation. “Jamaica has 14 players in the UK, but our heart the players put in, made the difference.
“We’re happy. Even though there are a lot of things going on that we’re not happy about, we want the fans to leave happy. The (players) always give their all and we want people to leave proud and represented.”
In the 70th minute, Guatemala almost put the game away, but Blake came up with a sprawling save to his right to keep out a diving header by Rubio Rubin. Blake again was pressed into action in the 74th minute.
Deep into stoppage time, a late chance for Jamaica materialized, but Ethan Pinnock got behind the Guatemala defense, but his header was high and off target.
The win moves Guatemala into a tie in the group with Panama after the first round. Those teams will square off on Friday in the second game of a doubleheader at PayPal Park in San Jose.
Jamaica will face Guadeloupe. Panama defeated Guadeloupe, 5-2, in Monday’s first game.
“Panama is the best team in Central America. In 20 minutes (Monday), they had four goals in 20 minutes,” Tena said. “We are also growing and relying on the team.”
“We are trying to exceed our expectations. Today it was in our favor.”
Guatemala made a quarterfinal appearance in the last edition of the Gold Cup in 2023. The team has had two others trips to that point (2007 and 2011) in the last 25 years. It has been nearly 60 years since Guatemala won the Gold Cup (1967).
“The victory was sensational from my point of view,” Tena said. “I think we can grow more. The Gold Cup is really important to us. I think it is a place where we can grow individually and collectively.”
Jamaica was credited with 15 shots but only two on goal.
