US goalkeeper Matt Freeze expressed confidence in his preparation for the penalties after making three crucial saves in Costa Rica’s thrilling 4-3 shootout during the Gold Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.
“The penalty shootout is all about me,” Freeze stated after the match ended in a 2-2 draw, forcing the game into penalties. “I was on a flight to Minnesota and spent the week analyzing penalty techniques, so I was ready when the moment came.”
The quarterfinals, held at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, featured a roller-coaster of events, starting with a 12-minute goal from Costa Rica’s Francis Co., putting the US down 1-0. The USMNT quickly responded with goals from Diego Luna and Max Alfsten, only to see their lead erased by Alonso Martinez’s equalizer in the 71st minute, leading to penalties.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team,” said Pockettino. “They exhibited remarkable resilience today. This kind of experience is essential in a big tournament; it’s crucial for the group to build on such moments together.”
Pockettino also commended the “unexpected” response from the team, which not only fell behind early but also failed to convert a penalty in the 37th minute taken by Mariktilman.
“We missed a penalty, yet our team maintained their confidence in how they played,” Pockettino noted.
Freeze, who earned his fifth international cap, made three penalty saves, crucially aiding the US’s advancement to the semifinals with a decisive penalty kick from Damien Downs.
Despite Freeze’s outstanding performance, Pockettino hinted that the competition for the starting goalkeeper spot will remain fierce, especially with options like Matt Turner, who participated in the 2022 World Cup.
“We have many talented players and goalkeepers,” Pockettino explained. “Matt Turner has an advantage with his World Cup experience; however, he faced challenges this season as he didn’t play regularly.”
Turner’s limited playing time while on loan at Crystal Palace has left some uncertainty regarding his position for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. “There are only a few players who have demonstrated the ability to handle this type of pressure. It’s great for Matt Turner and the other keepers to show they can thrive under stress, especially as we don’t know what the future holds,” Pockettino remarked.
“This is the time to test them and allow them the opportunity to prove they can perform under pressure.”
The US has now reached their 17th Gold Cup semi-final, successfully qualifying for the past 13 tournaments.
Next up for Pockettino and the US team is a match against Guatemala on Wednesday at St. Louis Energy Park.
This report uses information from the Associated Press.
Fan Take: This victory highlights the depth and potential of the US soccer team, especially with promising talents like Matt Freeze stepping up in crucial moments. As the team gears up for the semifinals and beyond, fans can sense the growing excitement around their chances in future tournaments, reinforcing soccer’s expanding footprint in the U.S.
