Matt Freese’s crucial saves help USMNT beat Costa Rica in Gold Cup quarterfinal
The United States men’s national soccer team has secured a spot in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after regular time, setting the stage for an intense shootout that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The USMNT got off to a strong start in the shootout, with Tyler Adams and Costa Rica’s Alonso Martinez both converting their penalties. Goalkeeper Matt Freese then came up big for the U.S. team, making a crucial save on Juan Pablo Vargas’ shot to give his side the advantage.
Despite a missed penalty by Malik Tillman, the USMNT stayed in the game with a well-placed shot by Tillman, followed by an unfortunate miss by Sebastian Berhalter. Santiago van der Putten managed to score for Costa Rica, but Freese’s heroics continued with a save on Francisco Calvo’s attempt, giving John Tolkin a chance to win it for the U.S. However, Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas denied Tolkin’s shot, sending the shootout into an extra round.
Freese once again rose to the occasion, making back-to-back saves to keep his team in the game. Damion Downs then stepped up for the USMNT and sealed the victory with a confident finish, sending his team into the semifinals.
During regulation time, there were plenty of fireworks as well. Costa Rica opened the scoring with a penalty from Calvo in the 12th minute, but the USMNT fought back with goals from Diego Luna and Max Arfsten to take the lead. Martinez equalized for Costa Rica in the 71st minute, setting the stage for the dramatic shootout.
The USMNT will now face Guatemala in the semifinals, with the winner earning a spot in the Gold Cup Final. The other semifinal will feature Mexico against Honduras, with both matches promising to be exciting showdowns.
Stay tuned for more updates on the USMNT’s journey in the Gold Cup and follow Fox News Digital for the latest sports coverage. Subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for exclusive insights and analysis.
