The United States men’s national soccer team is moving on to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout against Costa Rica. The match, which was deadlocked at two goals apiece after 90-plus minutes, culminated in a high-stakes shootout that had fans on the edge of their seats. The U.S. squad’s resilience was on full display as they overcame a 1-0 deficit, thanks to goals from Diego Luna and Max Arfsten, before goalkeeper Matt Freese’s heroic saves sealed the victory.
Key moments in the match included Tyler Adams and Costa Rica’s Alonso Martinez scoring their opening penalties, while Freese’s save on Juan Pablo Vargas’ attempt gave the U.S. an early advantage. Malik Tillman made up for a missed penalty shot earlier in the game by perfectly placing his shot past Keylor Navas. However, Sebastian Berhalter’s miss and Santiago van der Putten’s goal for Costa Rica kept the match tied heading into the shootout.
The shootout saw Freese continue to shine with saves on Alex Freeman, Jefferson Brenes, and Francisco Calvo, giving the U.S. a clear edge. Despite Navas’ save on John Tolkin’s final shot, the U.S. had the chance to win in the extra round, ultimately sealing the victory with Damion Downs’ goal. The U.S. will now face Guatemala in the semifinals, while Mexico and Honduras will meet in the other semifinal, with the winners advancing to the Gold Cup final.
The game was highlighted by intense moments throughout the 90 minutes, including Calvo’s early penalty goal, followed by the U.S. rallying with Luna and Arfsten’s goals in the first half. Martinez’s goal in the 71st minute brought the score to 2-2. The U.S.’s performance under pressure showcased their determination and skill, with Freese’s heroics being the deciding factor in the shootout. The Gold Cup semifinals promise to be another thrilling chapter in the tournament.