USMNT makes Gold Cup Semifinals thanks to PK heroics from goalkeeper Matt Freese

The USMNT is on its way to the semifinals of the 2025 Gold Cup! After a gritty 90 minutes of play that ended 2-2, the USA and Costa Rica needed PKs to find a winner. US goalkeeper Matt Freese made three PK saves en route to his nation winning the shootout 4-3!

USMNT, Gold Cup — Jun 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; United States of America forward Malik Tillman (17) during the first half during a quarterfinal match of the 2025 Gold Cup at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images

USMNT 2 (4) – (3) 2 Costa Rica

This game was one where the USA wanted to be complex in the way they played with the ball, but the execution was lacking yet again. This was shown inside the first 15 minutes when Max Arfsten began his rollercoaster of a match by conceding a penalty. Costa Rica converted and were up 12 minutes in. This woke the USMNT up, but it looked like the US would go into halftime down a goal.

Luckily, an attacking buildup found Arfsten wide open down the left flank. He fired the ball into Diego Luna, who shot through traffic on goal. His shot was deflected past a diving Keylor Navas. It was 1-1 at the half, and the USMNT kept things moving forward in the second half.

Just three minutes after halftime, Malik Tillman played distributor in the center of the pitch. He drew defenders to him and slipped a pass into the box, finding the run of Arfsten, who slotted a perfectly placed shot home. The USMNT was up 2-1, and it had the momentum, that is, until Costa Rica found a moment of brilliance.

Carlos Mora made a great run past Luca de la Torre and Max Arfsten and found Alonso Martinez, who tied the game with just 19 minutes left. Martinez hit the post late on, which would’ve knocked the USMNT out of the tournament. On to PKs this one went, and a star has been born for the USA!

Goalkeeper Matt Freese faced six spot kicks. The Philadelphia Union academy product guessed right on all six shots, got his fingers on five, and saved three. His stellar performance allowed the USMNT to score four PKs on the way to advancing to the semifinals. While it wasn’t a great showing for the USA, three players stood out for better or worse in this match.

Three USA Players that stood out

1. Matt Freese

The USMNT has been mired in goalkeeping controversy over the last few years. The lack of consistent playing time for the top goalkeepers has paved the way for an open spot on this team. Matt Freese is taking his opportunity right now at the Gold Cup. He hasn’t been perfect, but the NYCFC starter has shown he’s a PK specialist who is as confident as ever heading into the semifinals.

2. Max Arfsten

We know the top outside backs are not with the USMNT in this Gold Cup. Newcomer, Max Arfsten, has come in and shown he can put in a shift. In this match, he stood out in both good and bad ways. Arfsten had a goal and an assist in this game, but also conceded a PK and got burned on Costa Rica’s second goal. Arfsten will be playing left-back in the semifinal and, hopefully, the tournament’s final, but will it be good Arfsten or bad Arfsten?

3. Malik Tillman

Few of the players on this Gold Cup squad will likely be part of a World Cup team next year. Centerback Chris Richards and midfielder Tyler Adams seemingly could be starters at the World Cup. Malik Tillman is another player who could be playing their way into a starting spot for next summer’s tournament. The attacking midfielder is showing his craftiness in the Gold Cup; he’s finally showing the quality he shows week in and week out at the club level. More performances like the one in this quarterfinal and possibly being the lynchpin to a Gold Cup victory could solidify Tillman as a major player for the USMNT.

Guatemala awaits in the semifinals

The USMNT is ready for the semifinals of the Gold Cup. Their opponent is one that not many thought would get this far. The USA will take on Guatemala, which shocked Canada by beating them in a PK shootout in the quarterfinals. Guatemala has shown real grit and determination in this Gold Cup, beating Jamaica and Guadeloupe and pushing Panama to the brink in the group stage. Can their Cinderella run keep going?

On the other side of the bracket, Mexico was the only nation to win convincingly, beating guest nation Saudi Arabia 2-0. They’ll face Honduras, which beat rising giant Panama in PKs to make the semis. Will we get what everyone wants: a USMNT—Mexico Gold Cup Final? We’ll see on Wednesday night in the Gold Cup Semifinals!