USMNT vs. Costa Rica player ratings: Freese the shootout hero
The U.S. men's national team is in the Gold Cup semifinal, just barely.
Mauricio Pochettino's side defeated Costa Rica in a penalty shootout after a wild 2-2 draw over 90 minutes in Minneapolis on Sunday night.
Matt Freese came up big with three saves in the penalty shootout, helping the USMNT book a date against Guatemala in the semifinal on Wednesday in St. Louis.
Francisco Calvo gave Los Ticos an early led from the penalty spot, but the USMNT struck back with goals from Diego Luna and Max Arfsten after Malik Tillman had a penalty saved by Keylor Navas.
Costa Rica wasn't done, however, as Alonso Martínez scored a 71st minute equalizer and then nearly won the match when he hit the post in the game's dying minutes.
But the U.S. held out to reach the shootout, where Freese proved the hero.
Here are our ratings from the USMNT's wild shootout win over Costa Rica.
As a reminder, here's the Pro Soccer Wire player rating scale:
GK: Matt Freese - 6.5
Just missed saving Calvo's penalty in regulation, getting a fingertip on the shot but not quite keeping it out. Could have probably done better on Costa Rica's second, as he could only parry a shot right in the path of Carlos Mora, who squared to Martínez for the goal.
But then came the shootout. Freese made three big saves, giving the USMNT the boost it needed to overcome two misses of its own and reach the final four.
LB: Max Arfsten - 6
An absolute roller coaster of an evening. Had an utterly disastrous sequence 10 minutes into the game, which started with a missed aerial ball and ended with an awful tackle for a clear Costa Rica penalty. Arfsten roared back on the attacking end, though, first with an assist on Luna's goal and then with a goal of his own on a first-time finish. But then let Mora breeze through him and Luca de la Torre on Costa Rica's second goal, underlining his defensive deficiencies yet again.
CB: Tim Ream - 6.5
Once again brought plenty to the table in his passing game, especially on long balls where he went 7-for-10. Came up with some big defensive plays as well, robbing the ball from Costa Rica players on multiple occasions. The one blemish was his slow reaction on Mora after Freese gave up a rebound, with the right back then assisting Costa Rica's second goal.
CB: Chris Richards - 7
Did well to stay focused after an early yellow card from a scuffle after Tillman's penalty miss. Could have scored one of his own, but his header off a free kick was well saved by Navas. His pass between the lines to Tillman was vital in the build-up to Afsten's goal. Once again dominant with his head, winning five of six aerial duels.
RB: Alex Freeman - 5
An up and down evening for the 20-year-old, who showed his defensive prowess early with a series of strong plays. Attacking was more of a challenge against Costa Rica, as he didn't get a single cross off and wasted a good opportunity in the first half. His late giveaway nearly led to a winner for Costa Rica, but Martínez smacked the far post with a long shot.
CM: Tyler Adams - 5
Not the strongest night for a player usually among his side's standouts. Dropped back between the center backs to get on the ball frequently, but passing wasn't as sharp as normal. Did win back possession several times, as per usual.
CM: Luca de la Torre - 6.5
Another tidy display in the middle from the San Diego FC midfielder, who connected defense to attack with quick passing and opportunistic runs with the ball. One of his last contributions was his worst, however, as he and Arfsten let Mora split them too easily on Costa Rica's second goal.
CM: Sebastian Berhalter - 5.5
Berhalter's ability to spread play wide and his set-piece delivery continue to be impactful, as is his overall tenacity. Also led all players on the night with four key passes. But he lingers on the ball for too long at times, slowing down play and leading to turnovers. His skied penalty in the shootout could have been costly, but his teammates ensured it was only a blip.
LW: Diego Luna - 7
Hadn't yet made the impact he wanted at this tournament, but came up with a big game on Sunday. His equalizer had a touch of luck about it, but took down Arfsten's cross well and got his shot off quickly. Continued to play a part in USMNT breaks, connecting well with Tillman and showcasing his quick feet in tight spaces.
RW: Malik Tillman - 7.5
An all-action display for the USMNT's best attacking player this tournament, who was key in connecting and creating most of the team's best chances. His penalty miss was costly, but in almost every other aspect Tillman continued to shine.
His outlet ball to Arfsten helped lead to Luna's goal, and he then grabbed an assist with a perfectly weighted pass to Arfsten. A late first-time screamer clipped the post, just missing out on a goal of the tournament contender. Also led all players with five tackles, with his defensive effort a standout part of his game during the Gold Cup.
FW: Patrick Agyemang - 6
Didn't get many scoring chances but still played a big role, as his ability to draw fouls and hold-up play was important, particularly on his layoff for Tillman in the build-up to the USMNT's second goal. His rawness is still apparent too often, but Agyemang is impacting every game he plays in this Gold Cup.
Sub: Damion Downs - 6
Had a couple decent chances that he squandered in regulation, but sent the USMNT to the semifinal with an ice-cold penalty winner in the shootout.
Sub: John Tolkin - N/R
Came on in the 84th minute.
Sub: Jack McGlynn - N/R
Came on in the 84th minute.
Sub: Brian White - N/R
Came on in the final minutes.
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After Sunday's earlier game saw Guatemala eliminate Canada on penalties, including an excellent panenka, Freese stood his ground as Calvo returned to the spot and attempted to fire his shot right up the middle. While many goalkeepers' instincts are to dive — a proactive show of effort if not always a wise pick depending on the kick — his resolve was immediately rewarded as the USMNT advanced to its 17th semifinal in 18 Gold Cups. (Freese gave credit to U.S. goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez for the strategy in his postmatch remarks.) It was Freese's third save of the sequence, following two of the diving variety. While many goalkeepers are demonstrative after making saves, from Canada starter Dayne St. Clair to reigning World Cup champion Emiliano Martínez, Freese is far more stoic. That level-headedness helped weather his own team's pair of misses that extended the shootout to a sixth round. 'In the moment, not really,' Freese said when asked if he allows himself a moment of satisfaction after a save. 'After the first save, I went over to the corner, and I kept repeating to myself: 'I want another, I want another.' And then after the second save, I did the same thing, kept telling myself 'I want another.' You can't get too happy with yourself.' Freese will understandably be wanting another start under Pochettino, as well. He's rewarded his coach's trust in him by helping his team overcome a strong challenge by a longtime regional rival and held his resolve when needed the most. That's all one can ask for from such a singular figure on the field, especially after letting two go past him in regulation. 'I think it's a very special place,' Pochettino said of Freese and goalkeepers at large, 'and for me, the most important position on the pitch. The objective for the opponent is to score goals, and for you, for us, try not to concede goals. 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Berhalter sailed his penalty over the crossbar, and nearly cost the U.S. the shootout. Guilt flooded his face. But his teammates spared him, and as he walked off the pitch, after joining celebrations, veteran defender Tim Ream draped an arm around the 24-year-old, like others had done for Tillman hours earlier. Their 'resilience,' multiple players said, is a collective trait, as well as an individual one. Advertisement Tillman, though, 'didn't need too much help,' Pochettino said. 'He's really strong in his mind.' He is 23 and uber-chill, sometimes carefree. But he has endured multiple serious injuries. He has played in the Champions League. He has led comebacks in the Dutch Eredivisie. Along the way, he said, he has learned: 'In life, it's about the next action. You can't change the past.' You can, though, bury it beneath the present.
