Matt Freese emerged as the hero for the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) in a dramatic Gold Cup quarterfinal victory over Costa Rica, securing a spot in the semifinals after a nail-biting penalty shootout. The match, held on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, saw Freese block three of Costa Rica's six penalty kicks, propelling the USMNT to a 4-3 shootout win after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The game was a rollercoaster, with Costa Rica initially taking the lead in the 12th minute through a Francisco Calvo penalty after Max Arfsten fouled Kenneth Vargas in the box. The USMNT responded with a deflected goal from Diego Luna in the 43rd minute. Arfsten then redeemed himself, scoring in the 47th minute to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead. However, Costa Rica equalized in the 71st minute when Alonso MartÃnez scored from close range, leading to the penalty shootout.
Freese's heroics in the shootout were the result of diligent preparation and a confident mindset. "Penalties are my thing," Freese told FOX Sports after the match. He revealed that he had studied Costa Rica's penalty tendencies on the plane ride to Minnesota, adding, "On the plane ride over here to Minnesota I was studying the penalties so I was ready for it if we needed it". He also credited his goalkeeping coach for providing valuable insights, including a suggestion that led to a crucial save.
Freese's performance was particularly significant given concerns about a mistake he made in a previous Gold Cup game. His three saves in the shootout against Costa Rica not only redeemed him but also underscored his potential as a key player for the USMNT.
Damion Downs, a 20-year-old substitute, sealed the victory for the USMNT by converting the decisive penalty kick. Freese praised the team's collective effort and mentality, noting their resilience in coming back from a 1-0 deficit. "It was a full team effort -- it really shows the energy and the mentality of this group to come back from 1-0...then you know, everyone steps up for PKs and does a great job," Freese added.
The USMNT's victory advances them to the Gold Cup semifinal against Guatemala. Freese's stellar performance raises questions about his potential as the starting goalkeeper for the USMNT in future competitions, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup. However, Freese remains focused on the present, stating before the quarterfinal, "What I'm focused on is that each new game is another opportunity and we have a big game coming up this weekend that we're focused on".
