The USMNT was all but written off by the fans and media as they entered the Gold Cup on a four-game losing streak. Complaints about star players sitting out and too many MLS players led the list of reasons why fans were turning on Mauricio Pochettino. Instead, on Sunday night at US Bank Stadium, the team fought back from multiple mistakes to claim a 4-3 penalty kick win against stubborn and physical Costa Rica to advance to the semifinals.
The other Gold Cup quarterfinal games had already seen upsets over the weekend. Saturday saw Honduras knock out one of the favorites in Panama, 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout. Then on Sunday, Canada shockingly fell to Guatemala 6-5 in a shootout, mainly due to Jacob Shaffelburg’s red card just before the half. With those shocking results, USMNT fans were understandably nervous when their game went to penalty kicks as well.
USMNT’s Pre-Gold Cup Struggles
The Pochettino era got off to a quick start with an impressive 5-1 record, and then the trouble started. Back-to-back losses in the Nations League semifinals and third-place game received criticism from both fans and analysts alike. Finally, the two disastrous friendly losses leading up to the Gold Cup culminated in the 4-0 thrashing they took against Switzerland. The team limped into the tournament with their new coach boasting a 5-5 record.
With less than a year until the US hosts the World Cup, fans expected much of the main roster to be together this summer to form cohesion and create a new culture. Those plans went awry when many of the stars, including Christian Pulisic, either chose not to play or were kept off the roster due to injury.
Pulisic tried to save face by explaining his reason for choosing to rest this summer, but made things worse when he revealed Pochettino turned down his offer to just play in the friendlies. Pochettino was forced to respond, stating, “Players no need to understand. Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan. When I signed my contract in the federation, I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin.”
With concerns of players’ lack of commitment and dissatisfaction with the Gold Cup roster makeup, USMNT fans looked to be at a tipping point. An early exit from the cup could have sent what was supposed to be a summer of building spiraling out of control.
Gold Cup Turnaround: A Surprising Run
Thankfully, the narrative has changed in the past two weeks. The USMNT comfortably escaped their group in first place, winning all three games and conceding only one goal. Several stars have emerged on the roster, including Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, Sebastian Berhalter, and goalkeeper Matt Freese. All this led to the showdown against Costa Rica, a team the USMNT had never lost to in the Gold Cup.
An early mistake in the midfield from left-back Max Arfsten led to him giving up a penalty while trying to recover. Francisco Calvo would sneak the penalty kick into the right corner off Freese’s fingertips in the 12th minute.
Tillman, who scored his first three international goals in the group stage, would provide the USMNT their first chance by drawing a penalty of his own in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, his kick would bounce off the left post and allow Costa Rica to retain the lead. Six minutes later, Luna would tie the game at 1-1 with his second deflected goal of the Gold Cup. This time, he would get the credit as it bounced off Costa Rican centerback Alexis Gamboa and past Keylor Navas.
The USMNT would score quickly to start the second half, with Arfsten scoring in the 47th minute to redeem himself for his earlier mistake. Less than half an hour later, though, Costa Rica would tie the game in the 71st minute. Tired US legs allowed Carlos Mora to split Arfsten and Luca de la Torre, where a save from Freeze rebounded to Alonso Martinez, who put it in the net.
A New USMNT Star Is Born
The new format for the Gold Cup goes straight to penalty shots once regulation is over. Both Canada and Panama had already been victimized by it earlier; would the Americans lose as well?
Freese would be thrust center stage in a shootout against one of the best keepers in the world, Keylar Navas. Some fans have been surprised to see Freese start every game over incumbent starter Matt Turner. For the last few years, Turner and Zack Steffen have been considered goalkeepers 1A and 1 B. Turner lacks quality minutes with his club, while Steffen has battled injuries, and neither has staked their claim as the definitive starter. Along comes Freese.
After a glaring mistake on a clearance in the final group stage game against Haiti, Freese needed a good showing to gain confidence for himself and the fans. Martinez would fool him on the first shot of the penalties, but he would guess right on every other penalty against Costa Rica. He stopped three penalty shots total during the shootout, clinching the win and sending the USMNT into the semifinals.
With a year left before the World Cup, the starting keeper position for the USMNT is finally heating up. Some have claimed this is the worst goalkeeper pool that the team has had since Tim Howard retired. With his performance, Freese has just inserted himself in the conversation in a big way. If he can continue this level of play throughout the rest of the Gold Cup, he’ll make it hard for Turner to win his spot back.
End Of My USMNT Rant
Indeed, none of the teams the US have faced in the Gold Cup are of the same caliber as those they played during their four-game losing streak, but Mexico still looms if they make it to the final. While this version of the USMNT might lack the usual top stars, the fans will leave knowing a few more names that will likely make the 2026 World Cup roster.
Tillman has made his case. Although he missed his first international penalty, he buried his second attempt during the shootout. His tough, physical play, relentless defense, and ability to find space around the box have earned him a spot on the roster, maybe in the starting XI.
Luna’s tireless engine and passing, Berhalter’s pinpoint set-piece ability, Chris Richards’ command of the backline and heading ability, and Patrick Agyemang’s strength, hold-up play, and ability to connect with Tillman in the attacking third have all been revelations. While most of them might still be raw, their growth in the next year could prove to be the difference in a deep World Cup run or a group stage exit.
For now, the USMNT has a tough game against Guatemala on Wednesday, July 2nd. A win in that game likely pits them against Mexico, maybe the first true test of this Gold Cup. If they can pull off that victory and raise the cup, the future will look a whole lot brighter for the Stars and Stripes.
