USA Reaches Semis In Gold Cup Thanks To Freese Shootout Saves/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Goalkeeper Matt Freese saved three penalties, lifting the U.S. past Costa Rica in a thrilling Gold Cup shootout. His Harvard penalty research paid off in the quarterfinal victory. The Americans now face Guatemala in the semifinals.
Matt Freese Gold Cup Heroics Quick Looks
- Matt Freese saves three penalties in Gold Cup shootout
- U.S. beats Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties after 2-2 draw
- Freese relied on Harvard research into penalty tendencies
- Goalkeeper displaced Matt Turner as U.S. starter
- Coach Pochettino testing young players under tournament pressure
- Freese rebounded from earlier mistake in group stage
- USA faces Guatemala next in semifinals Wednesday
- Freese’s heroics signal potential for World Cup 2026
Deep Look
Matt Freese’s Penalty Heroics Send USA Into Gold Cup Semifinals After Dramatic Shootout Against Costa Rica
MINNEAPOLIS — When the U.S. men’s national team surrendered a second-half lead and found itself staring down a penalty shootout against Costa Rica — and one of the world’s top goalkeepers in Keylor Navas — it could have been a daunting scenario for any player.
But for Matt Freese, it was a moment he’d quite literally prepared for years in advance.
The 26-year-old American keeper, who once conducted a college research project at Harvard on the art and psychology of penalty kicks, transformed that knowledge into decisive action on Sunday night. Freese made three clutch saves in a tense six-round shootout, sending the United States past Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regulation to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“To be able to rely on that type of thing and deal with a lot of statistics and read the game and read their hips, things like that, is massive,” said Freese, who was brimming with confidence after his match-winning performance.
An Unexpected Journey To The Spotlight
Freese’s rise has been unconventional. Once a little-used backup for Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, his career took off following a 2023 move to New York City FC. Despite limited experience with the national team, Freese was thrust into the spotlight after injuries sidelined Patrick Schulte and Zack Steffen, clearing his path to the U.S. net.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has shown a willingness to test younger players during this Gold Cup run, and Freese is the prime example of that strategy paying off.
“I’ve just got to be ready for whatever game I get, for whatever moment is there for me,” Freese said. “He’s shown a lot of faith in me. That’s something I’m really grateful for, and it’s my job to repay him and help the team win.”
Redemption After Early Mistake
Freese’s performance on Sunday was particularly sweet redemption. In the group stage, he committed a costly error — a failed clearing attempt that gifted Haiti an equalizer in a match the U.S. eventually won 2-1. Despite that gaffe, Pochettino stuck by his goalkeeper.
“It’s an opportunity to show you can bounce back, an opportunity to learn and quickly move on to the next,” Freese said.
Against Costa Rica, Freese was rock-solid. Although Francisco Calvo converted a penalty past him in the 12th minute, Freese stood tall in the shootout. He denied shots from Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo, and Andy Rojas, showcasing sharp reflexes and psychological poise under pressure.
Each save seemed to fuel his determination for the next. After his third stop, Freese pumped his fists, nodded emphatically, and even stuck out his tongue in celebration toward his teammates gathered at midfield.
“He’s done extremely well. He’s worked extremely hard,” said U.S. teammate Diego Luna, who netted his first international goal during Sunday’s match. “These are the type of moments that we live for.”
Freese Vs. Turner: A Battle For No. 1
Freese’s emergence comes at a crucial time for U.S. soccer, as the squad looks ahead to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. With Matt Turner limited to only three appearances for Crystal Palace last season — all in the FA Cup and none since March — the U.S. goalkeeper spot is wide open.
Pochettino praised Freese’s resilience but avoided confirming whether he has overtaken Turner on the depth chart.
“I think it’s good for Matt, for the rest of the keepers, to see that they can have the possibility and deal with the pressure,” Pochettino said. “Because you never know what’s going to happen in one year. Now is the moment to test or to give the possibility to show that they can deal with that stress and perform.”
Eyes On The Semifinals
The U.S. will face Guatemala in the Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday in St. Louis, aiming to continue their march toward the title. With Freese’s confidence surging and the team rallying around its young talent, American hopes remain high.
Freese’s heroics may have provided not just a place in the semifinals, but a glimpse of the U.S. team’s future.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.