The Concacaf Gold Cup was intended as a crucible for a green U.S. men`s national team squad, and Sunday`s quarterfinal clash with Costa Rica proved to be a stern test. Beyond the inherent pressure of their first knockout match, the dramatic 2-2 draw culminating in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory highlights the numerous challenges faced and overcome.
In a seesaw battle, the USMNT fell behind early after Francisco Calvo scored a 12th-minute penalty for Costa Rica. However, the U.S. fought back, taking a 2-1 lead by the 49th minute, despite missing a penalty themselves in the first half. Costa Rica managed to equalize later, forcing a tense penalty shootout where Keylor Navas saved two for Los Ticos, but Matt Freese outdid him with three crucial saves for the USMNT. Through all the drama, several young players rose to the occasion, grasping the chance given by head coach B.J. Callaghan.
Freese was undoubtedly the hero of the match in Minneapolis, facing a total of seven penalties (including Calvo`s first-half goal). He consistently guessed the correct direction, saving nearly half of the spot kicks and getting a touch on most others.
This match marked a significant moment for the 26-year-old goalkeeper. His starting role at the Gold Cup came unexpectedly; Head Coach B.J. Callaghan was reportedly evaluating options and included primary goalkeeper Matt Turner, but Freese got the nod. Injuries to anticipated starters Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) and Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids) just before the tournament opened the door. The chance then went to Freese of New York City FC. While his regular game performances might fluctuate, as he humorously told broadcasters after the match, “penalties are my thing.”
Freese`s performance significantly bolstered his prospects in the competitive battle for goalkeeper spots on future rosters, potentially for the World Cup. He showcased a valuable skill set, particularly in penalty situations, that sets him apart. With a record of winning six out of seven career shootouts, he has established himself as a penalty specialist and could be a critical `in case of emergency` option, reminiscent of Tim Krul`s memorable appearance for the Netherlands against Costa Rica in the 2014 World Cup shootout.
While Freese was the star, other young USMNT prospects also advanced their case for inclusion in upcoming squads. Among them was midfielder Luna. Despite a quiet start to the Gold Cup, he seized his moment by scoring the equalizer against Costa Rica. This goal was one of his three shots, contributing to a persistent U.S. attack that pressured Costa Rica`s defense for the first 50 minutes. Luna`s energy and intensity made him well-suited to the team`s approach during that period, having previously impressed coaches with his strong mentality. His challenge was translating that mindset into impactful on-field contributions, and with Sunday`s goal, his international record now stands at one goal and four assists in 10 appearances.
Luna`s emergence intensifies the competition for attacking midfield spots as the USMNT approaches the World Cup year, particularly with Malik Tillman in good form and Gio Reyna`s status at Borussia Dortmund.
A comparable situation is unfolding at left back. While perhaps not competing for a guaranteed starting spot like Luna, Tillman, or Reyna, the competition mirrors that among the goalkeepers. Max Arfsten`s performance Sunday was mixed, but he produced key moments: assisting Luna`s equalizer and successfully converting his own penalty in the shootout, creating a narrative of redemption after giving away a penalty early in the 11th minute. The 24-year-old was lively on the left flank during the U.S.`s strong start, creating opportunities and completing a high percentage (83.3%) of his passes in the attacking third.
His lack of experience was apparent at times, and it`s unlikely he will displace the consistently excellent Antonee Robinson, who performs strongly for both Fulham and the USMNT. However, Arfsten could argue for a role as a primary backup over Joe Scally, who hasn`t always convinced when deputizing for Robinson. Arfsten`s versatility, being able to play on both wings, is also a valuable asset.
USMNT`s Room for Improvement
Arfsten`s display somewhat reflects the USMNT`s overall performance: progress was evident on Sunday, but clear areas for improvement remain. The high intensity start for the first 50 minutes was positive, yielding 11 shots and two goals. Their attacking strategies seemed effective, particularly with Arfsten active on the left. However, execution in the final third was inconsistent, featuring many misplaced passes. Coupled with Tillman`s missed first-half penalty, their expected goals tally of 1.47 during this period was underwhelming.
The match also underscored a persistent USMNT issue: the lack of a consistent, high-scoring center forward. With Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi injured, and Josh Sargent out of the picture, Patrick Agyemang has taken on this role. Like Luna, he showed promise earlier in the year but has only scored once in the Gold Cup. On Sunday, he appeared disconnected from the team`s play and hesitant when in possession, attempting four shots but failing to test the goalkeeper with any of them.
A noticeable disconnect remained, partly understandable given the newness of the squad, but also concerning. Chemistry building takes time, yet the opening 50 minutes showed that nearly a month of training together was beginning to yield results. However, after gaining the lead, the team visibly reduced their intensity. In the remainder of the match, they took seven shots but none were on target, generating only 0.54 expected goals. Much of this offensive output came after Alonso Martinez`s 71st-minute equalizer; notably, the USMNT registered zero shots between the 50th and 65th minutes.
Looking ahead to the semifinals, this USMNT squad feels somewhat unfinished, which is perhaps understandable given the significant number of regular starters absent from the Gold Cup. It remains unclear if this group has what it takes to win the tournament, although they will be strong favorites in Wednesday`s semifinal against Guatemala, who reached the final four for the first time since 1996 after defeating Canada. However, the tournament`s primary objective this summer was arguably secondary: Head Coach B.J. Callaghan`s mission was to identify players who can integrate with the main squad later this year. He has certainly found potential additions, even if that discovery process has also highlighted numerous issues requiring attention in the year leading up to the World Cup.
Dominic Ashworth