The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) survived a gritty battle with Costa Rica to advance to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup U.S. Bank Stadium semifinals, winning 4-3 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw on Sunday, June 29, 2025. New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese stood tall, making three crucial saves—including one against Malik Tillman—to seal the victory in front of 65,800 fans in Minneapolis. For Costa Rica, it was another heartbreaking exit in the quarterfinals, extending their losing streak against the USMNT to five of their last six meetings. Yet their resilience, led by legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who made 11 saves in the group stage alone, proved they remain a force in Central American football.
Back-and-Forth Battle in Minneapolis
The match unfolded with dramatic swings. Costa Rica took an early lead when defender Francisco Calvo converted a penalty in the 12th minute after a handball in the box. The USMNT responded just before halftime, with Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna finishing a slick team move to level it at 1-1. Just two minutes into the second half, Columbus Crew fullback Max Arfsten pounced on a loose ball inside the six-yard box to put the Americans ahead. But Costa Rica, refusing to fold, equalized in the 71st minute through Alonso Martínez, whose low drive slipped past US goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The final 20 minutes were a tense chess match—both sides had chances, but neither could find a winner. Extra time offered no relief. The stage was set for penalties.
Freese the Hero, Navas the Legend
Under pressure, Matt Freese became the unexpected star. He denied Tillman, then stopped Costa Rica’s third taker, Bryan Ruiz, before finally sealing it with a save on substitute Cristian Palacios. Meanwhile, Keylor Navas, playing his final Gold Cup at age 38, was a wall throughout the tournament. His 11 group stage saves were the most by any keeper in this edition. He even blocked Tillman’s penalty during regulation—a moment that sparked chants of "K-N-A-S!" from Costa Rican fans. Though he couldn’t prevent the shootout loss, his presence was a reminder of why Costa Rica has qualified for five of the last six World Cups. "We played with heart," Navas said afterward. "We didn’t lose because we weren’t good enough. We lost because they were better on the day."
History Repeats for Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s quarterfinal record reads: 13 appearances, 4 wins, 2 draws, 7 losses. This loss marks their seventh defeat in the knockout round since 2005. Their only win over the USMNT in the last 15 years came in a 2-0 World Cup qualifier in San José on March 30, 2022—a result that still echoes in their locker room. Since then, they’ve lost four friendlies and this Gold Cup clash. "It’s not about the past," said captain Bryan Ruiz Herrera. "It’s about what we showed: we’re not a team that folds. We’re not a team that quits."
The USMNT, meanwhile, extended their streak to 18 consecutive Gold Cup knockout appearances—the longest active run in tournament history. Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over in January, has already reshaped the squad’s identity. "It’s not about stars," he said post-match. "It’s about structure. It’s about belief. We didn’t have our best night, but we had the will to win. That’s what matters now."
What’s Next: Guatemala and the Road to the Final
The USMNT now faces Guatemala in the semifinals on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at St. Louis CITY SC’s Energizer Park. Guatemala stunned Canada 3-1 on Sunday, advancing on a late goal from striker José Luis Munguía. It’s their first Gold Cup semifinal since 2011. The winner will face either Mexico or Saudi Arabia—who drew 1-1 in their quarterfinal—after extra time, with Mexico advancing on penalties.
Behind the Scenes: The Central American Challenge
For the first time since 2019, no Caribbean team reached the quarterfinals. Panama, Honduras, and Costa Rica were the only non-North American sides to survive. Panama, who beat Honduras 2-1 on Saturday in Glendale, will now face the winner of Mexico-Saudi Arabia. Honduras, despite a 6-0 thrashing by Canada in their opener, clawed back with wins over Curaçao and a gritty 1-0 defeat of Guatemala in the group stage. "We were written off," said coach Reinaldo Rueda. "But this team? We’re built for war."
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia—the tournament’s invited guest—proved they belong. Their 1-1 draw with Mexico, followed by a 5-4 penalty win, stunned fans. Their physicality and disciplined defense suggest Concacaf’s door is opening wider. For North American teams, that’s both a challenge and a warning.
Why This Matters Beyond the Trophy
The 2025 Gold Cup isn’t just about who lifts the cup. It’s about identity. For Costa Rica, it’s about proving they can compete without Navas as their last line of defense. For the USMNT, it’s about moving past the "youth movement" label and becoming a consistent contender. And for Guatemala? Their semifinal appearance is a national milestone—proof that smaller nations can rise when given structure and belief.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Matt Freese become the starting goalkeeper for the USMNT in the Gold Cup?
Freese, 27, was named the starter after regular keeper Sean Johnson suffered a hamstring injury in the group stage. He’d been on the roster as third-choice but earned his chance after strong performances in the USL Championship with New York City FC’s reserve side. His three penalty saves against Costa Rica were his first international appearances under pressure—making him the first USMNT goalkeeper since 2013 to win a knockout match via shootout without ever starting a group stage game.
What is Costa Rica’s record against the United States in competitive matches?
In the last 15 competitive meetings (World Cup qualifiers, Gold Cup, and friendlies since 2015), Costa Rica has won just once: the 2-0 qualifier in San José on March 30, 2022. The USMNT has won 10 times, with four draws. Costa Rica’s 0-0 draw in the 2025 Gold Cup group stage was their first goalless result against the US since 2017.
Why did Saudi Arabia participate in the 2025 Gold Cup?
Concacaf invited Saudi Arabia as part of a broader initiative to strengthen ties with Asian football federations and expose North American teams to different styles. Their participation followed a similar move in 2021 when Qatar was invited. Saudi Arabia reached the semifinals in 2021 and advanced to the quarterfinals again in 2025, proving they’re no longer just token guests.
What does Guatemala’s semifinal run mean for their national program?
It’s historic. Guatemala had not reached a Gold Cup semifinal since 2011 and hadn’t won a knockout match since 2009. Their success stems from a five-year development plan under coach Jorge Luis Pinto, focusing on youth academies and tactical discipline. Their win over Canada, coupled with their 1-0 group-stage win over Honduras, signals a new era for Central American football beyond Costa Rica and Panama.
How many times has Keylor Navas played in the Gold Cup?
This was Navas’s fifth Gold Cup appearance, tying him with Raúl Díaz Arce for the most by a Costa Rican player. He played in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2019, and now 2025. He holds the record for most saves in a single Gold Cup tournament (11 in 2025), surpassing his own previous record of 9 in 2019. He’s also the only goalkeeper to appear in five Gold Cups and five World Cups.
Will the USMNT face Mexico in the final if both win their semifinals?
Yes—if both teams win, they’ll meet in the final on July 6, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The USMNT and Mexico have met in the Gold Cup final seven times since 1991, with the US winning four of those. Their most recent final clash was in 2021, when the US won 1-0 in extra time. A repeat would be the most anticipated match in Concacaf since 2019.
