U.S. Survives Costa Rica Scare in Gold Cup as Ex-Coach’s Son Berhalter Misses Penalty
USA Survives Gold Cup Quarterfinal Thriller vs. Costa Rica in Shootout Drama
The U.S. squad erupts after advancing to the Gold Cup semifinals (Image: Getty)
The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) narrowly avoided a Gold Cup upset Sunday night, edging Costa Rica 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a chaotic 2-2 draw in Minneapolis. Goalkeeper Matt Freese emerged as the hero, making three critical saves during the shootout, including back-to-back stops in sudden death to seal the victory.
Early Chaos and Costly Misses
Costa Rica struck first with a penalty kick by Francisco Calvo in the 15th minute after a handball call. The U.S. had a chance to equalize when awarded a penalty, but Malik Tillman rattled the post, prolonging the deficit. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino watched nervously as his young squad—fielding a mostly under-23 lineup—struggled to break through Costa Rica’s defense.
Freese’s shootout heroics saved the USMNT (Image: Getty)
Second-Half Surge
The Americans flipped the script after halftime. Diego Luna leveled the score in the 53rd minute with a clinical finish, followed by substitute Max Arfsten firing the U.S. ahead 2-1 just nine minutes later. However, Costa Rica silenced the home crowd in the 71st minute when Alfonso Martínez capitalized on defensive disarray to force a shootout.
Penalty Drama and Family Heartbreak
The shootout delivered unforgettable moments. Sebastian Berhalter—son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter—skied his penalty over the bar, while defender John Tolkin had his attempt saved by veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Freese, however, bailed out his teammates with crucial stops against Carlos Mora and former MLS defender Roberto Montes. Rising star Damion Downs secured the win, coolly converting the final penalty to send the U.S. to the semifinals.
The match at Allianz Field ended in heart-stopping fashion (Image: Getty)
What’s Next?
The U.S. will face Guatemala in the semifinals on Wednesday, aiming to reach their 14th Gold Cup final. With veterans like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie absent, Pochettino’s young roster continues to defy expectations. For Costa Rica, the loss extends their recent struggles, having failed to beat the USMNT since 2016.
Key Stats
- Shots: USA 18, Costa Rica 9
- Penalty Shootout: USA 4/7, Costa Rica 3/6
- Attendance: 32,112 at Allianz Field
The USMNT’s quest for Gold Cup glory continues—but tougher tests lie ahead.
