Recap: Matt Freese bails out shaky USA in Gold Cup shootout win

The United States Men's National Team flirted with disaster on Sunday night, blowing a lead late in their Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal against Costa Rica, but surviving the penalty shootout to book a spot in the semifinals after a masterclass from goalkeeper Matt Freese.

The XI

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino changed up his midfield shape, playing Tyler Adams and Luca de la Torre together in midfield, with Sebastian Berhalter nominally on the right wing, but pinching inside to form effectively a midfield trio. Max Arfsten also returned to the XI, replacing John Tolkin as the left back.

On the pitch

Things started out really poorly for the United States. Max Arfsten conceded a penalty within the opening 15 minutes, nearly handling the ball and then doubling down with an incredibly naive challenge on Kenneth Vargas.

Former Chicago Fire defender Francisco Calvo converted the ensuing spot kick, beating goalkeeper Matt Freese, who got a hand to it but could only tip it off the post and in.

The USMNT should have equalized around the 30 minute mark, when a horror challenge on Malik Tillman in the box was eventually called for a penalty after a video review. The Leverkusen-bound man was lucky to escape without a serious injury. That luck petered out when he clanged the spot kick off the post.

Just before the break, Diego Luna scored his first international goal to pull the US level. Albeit with the help of a hefty deflection, the Real Salt Lake man was rewarded for consistently popping up in good spots with deserved goal. Arfsten, who got the assist to Luna, continued his redemption tour with a fantastic goal minutes into the second half. The Columbus Crew winger got on the end of an inviting pass from Tillman, curling a composed finish into the far post with his weaker right foot.

Like Tillman's luck, Arfsten's redemption tour screeched to a halt. The Columbus defender was skinned by Carlos Mora, along with Luca de la Torre, easily split by the right back, who picked out an easy cutback to New York City's Alonso Martínez to equalize.

With the score deadlocked, the match went to penalties, where Matt Freese took over. The NYCFC 'keeper guessed the right direction on all six shots he faced and unbelievably saved three of them, putting the team on his back to carry the United States through to the semifinals.

Goals

• 12' – CRC – Francisco Calvo (PK)
• 43' – USA – Diego Luna
• 47' – USA – Max Arfsten
• 71' – CRC – Alonso Martínez

The big picture

It wasn't a pretty performance by any means. In fact, several aspects of the match were downright concerning. Ultimately, though, it was just about the bare minimum required to advance against a difficult opponent.

If we learn nothing else from this tournament, Matt Freese has staked his claim for the starting job in goal next summer. With the rest of the pool taking significant steps back, Freese stepped up when it mattered most and showed the type of composure and class needed at the international level. In a tournament where the main goal was to identify players who could contribute, finding a potential starter feels like a win.

Up next

The USMNT survived and advanced. They'll take on Guatemala, who upset Canada in a penalty shootout of their own earlier on Sunday.

That semifinal will take place in St. Louis, kicking off on Wednesday night at 5 pm CT.

Stats

Possession: USA 64% – 46% CRC
Passes completed: USA 413 – 215 CRC
Shots: USA 18 – 7 CRC
Shots on goal: USA 4 – 3 CRC
Penalty kicks: USA 1 – 1 CRC
Goals: USA 2 – 2 CRC
Expected goals: USA 1.98 – 1.59 CRC
Fouls: USA 14 – 14 CRC
Yellow cards: USA 1 – 3 CRC
Red cards: USA 0 – 0 CRC
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