USMNT defeats Costa Rica in nerve-wracking Gold Cup quarterfinal, moving into semifinal after Freese's heroics during the penalty shootout in Minneapolis.
Highlight Timeline:
- USMNT defeats Costa Rica in thrilling 4-3 penalty shootout
- The game is 2-2 after full time at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
- Matt Freese saves three pivotal penalties during the shootout
- USMNT advances to 17th Gold Cup semifinal, faces Guatemala next
- Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, and Max Arfsten lead attacking efforts
- Costa Rica puts test with decisive comeback, attacking approach
USMNT Enters Knockout With Unblemished Group Stage Record
The U.S. Men’s National Team entered Gold Cup quarterfinals in momentum, possessing a perfect 3-0-0 group stage record. The team easily beat Trinidad and Tobago (5-0), Saudi Arabia (1-0), and Haiti (2-1), showing attacking prowess and defensive resilience.
With significant contributions by Diego Luna and Max Arfsten, Malik Tillman was the leading goal-scorer with three goals and looking to take the Gold Cup Trophy and be the favorite during the knockout phase.
Costa Rica gains a lot from momentum and confidence.
Costa Rica (2-1-0) clinched their place in the quarterfinals while growth and fortifying, during this phase. They started off group play with a thrilling comeback win over Suriname (4-3) followed by a comeback victory against Dominican Republic (2-1) and then capped it off with a tie against Mexico (0-0). Josimar Alcócer scored two consecutive winner’s and Manfred Ugalde topped the scoring chart.
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, recording 11 saves at the group stage, provided veteran depth in front of the goalposts. The team arrived at the quarterfinals ready to pull a surprise for the host country.
Head-to-Head: United States vs. Costa Rica Rivalry
The quarterfinal was the 44th all-time meeting of these nations. The U.S. had an edge with 20 wins to Costa Rica’s 17, plus six draws. Recent meetings favored the U.S., who had won five of the previous six.
Their most recent meeting in January 2025 even ended with a 3-0 victory for the U.S. That said, Costa Rica had a stinging result in a key game during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
It was the teams’ first-ever meeting in the quarterfinal in Gold Cup history. The U.S.A. has yet to lose to Costa Rica in Gold Cup play with 7 wins and 1 draw.
Quarterfinal Drama Plays Out at US Bank Stadium
Sunday’s game produced an instant classic. Costa Rica opened the scoring with a 12th-minute penalty kick that Francisco Calvo converted after Max Arfsten’s hapless challenge.
The U.S. struggled early, registering no shots on target for nearly half an hour. A moment of brilliance between Tillman and Agemang led to a penalty, but Tillman missed.
Minutes on, Arfsten made amends by creating Diego Luna’s deflected equalizer. Shortly after halftime, Arfsten found the target to make it 2-1 in favor of the U.S.
Carlos Mora’s 71st-minute strike leveled it for Costa Rica. Neither side was able to craft the winning breakthrough despite late pressure, sending the match to penalties.
Freese Earns Semifinal Spot With Shootout Masterclass
Matt Freese, in just the fifth match of his international career, had the game of his life. He saved three penalties, stopping Calvo, Rojas, and Ugalde, and led the U.S. to a 4-3 penalty shootout win.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe U.S. was short one penalty by Berhalter, but were able to score from Downs, Adams, Tillman, and others. After the game, Freese did accept that he truly had put in a lot of effort practicing penalties for the whole week in preparation for this. Now, it is on to the next semifinal round for the U.S. against Guatemala.
Pochettino Reveals Depth of Roster with 2026 World Cup Vision
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino views the Gold Cup as an opportunity to try depth. While Matt Turner remains the assumed starter, Freese’s performance brings in competition.
Starting eleven consisted of a mix of young and MLS players with Tim Ream, Tyler Adams, Diego Luna, and Patrick Agemang. The semifinal against Guatemala will provide them with another test before the World Cup 2026 selections.
Costa Rica Young Talent Tests USMNT Like No Other
The American defenders struggled to track their new #9 the entire game, Manfred Ugalde. Ugalde continues to turn heads in Europe after his performance in this year’s Gold Cup tournament, and that’s before we get to his 17 goals for Spartak Moscow last season.
With just a few minutes left in the game, Costa Rica had two very real chances to score and avoid the penalty shootout—and they were thanks mostly to Ugalde, and Alonso Martínez.
To follow: Semifinal vs Guatemala
The U.S. reaches its 17th Gold Cup semifinal, extending a 13-year streak. The game against Guatemala at Energizer Park, St. Louis, will determine who faces Mexico vs. Canada winner in the final.
USMNT advances to the Gold Cup semifinal following 2-2 thriller and nerve-wracking 4-3 shootout win over Costa Rica. Three penalty saves by Matt Freese proved to be the deciding factor. The U.S. later faces Guatemala with a title on the line.