The U.S. men’s national team defeated Costa Rica in a thrilling Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal that went to a penalty shootout at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, June 29.
The USMNT prevailed in the shootout, 4-3, after the two teams were knotted up a 2-2 after 90 minutes (there is no extra time in the Gold Cup until the final). The penalty shootout went to a sudden-death sixth round. After U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese stopped Andy Rojas’ attempt, Damion Downs — a 20-year-old making just his second USMNT appearance — put his attempt past Costa Rica’s legendary shot-stopper Keylor Navas for the victory. Freese made two saves in the penalty shootout, and nearly made saves on two other attempts.
In regulation, the game was a back-and-forth tussle. Costa Rica opened the scoring early on a penalty kick. Diego Luna answered later in the first half with his first USMNT goal. Early in the second half, Max Arfsten scored his first USMNT goal before Costa Rica answered in the 71st minute with an equalizer that eventually forced the game to go to a penalty shootout.
Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman (who had a penalty shot miss in the first half half of the game), Alex Freeman and Downs each made their penalty shootout kicks to give the U.S. the win.
The U.S. will face Guatemala — a surprise winner over Canada in another penalty shootout — in the Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday, July 2 in St. Louis (7 p.m. ET on FS1). Mexico takes on Honduras — which upset Panama — in the other semifinal.
USMNT vs. Costa Rica highlights
USMNT vs. Costa Rica going to penalty shootout
The Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal ended regulation tied at 2-2, and the game immediately goes to a penalty shootout (no extra time until the final). As the USMNT’s Matt Freese faces the pressure of his first national team knockout penalty shootout, the veteran Keylor Navas gives Costa Rica a goalkeeping advantage.
Costa Rica 2, USMNT 2: Alonso Martinez ties it back up
After a high-flying start to the second half, the U.S. has gotten a bit sloppy in possession. Costa Rica finally made the USMNT pay for letting its opponent hang around.
U.S. goal keeper Matt Freese made a save on Carlos Mora’s attempt, but the rebound returned to Mora who dished it to Alonso Martinez, who knotted up the score at 2-2 in the 71st minute.
Now, Costa Rica has snagged the momentum in this spirited Gold Cup quarterfinal. With Keylor Navas between the pipes for Costa Rica, the last thing the U.S. wants if for this one to go to a penalty shootout. There will be no extra time if the game is tied after regulation.
USMNT 2, Costa Rica 1: Max Arfsten gets his first national team goal
It didn’t take long for the U.S. to take the lead in the second half.
Some delicious soccer-football play from the squad eventually led to the ball at the feet of a wide-open Arfsten in the box. Arfsten slid the shot past Keylor Navas and the U.S. took a 2-1 lead right after intermission.
Arfsten has rebounded nicely from his foul that led to a penalty, assisting on Diego Luna’s equalizer and now scoring to put the USMNT into the lead.
USMNT 1, Costa Rica 1: Diego Luna evens up the score
Despite giving up the opening goal via penalty kick, the USMNT has been the more dangerous of the two squads throughout the first half.
That pressure finally paid off in the 43rd minute when Diego Luna got his shot past Costa Rica’s legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Luna — nicknamed the ‘Moon Man’ — adeptly collected Max Arfsten’s pass inside the 18-yard box and banged his shot past a diving Navas and into the back of the net. For Arfsten, it has to feel good to contribute to the goal after his foul resulted in Costa Rica’s first score on a penalty kick.
Malik Tillman bangs penalty shot off the post, fracas follows
The USMNT wasted a golden opportunity in the 37th minute to tie up the score, but Malik Tillman pushed his penalty shot off the left post.
A kerfuffle followed the play as emotions are running high at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Costa Rica’s Kenneth Vargas and U.S. defender Chris Richards were issued yellow cards for their involvement in the pushing and shoving.
The penalty shot was awarded after Tillman was clipped inside the 18-yard box by Juan Pablo Vargas and the play eventually went to VAR. A yellow card was issued to Juan Pablo Vargas for his foul on Tillman.
Diego Luna attempts trick shot
Getting a goal past Costa Rica’s 38-year-old goalkeeper Keylor Navas — arguably still the best ‘keeper in Concacaf — will be a challenge for the USMNT.
In the 18th minute, Diego Luna attempted an acrobatic shot, but it didn’t challenge Navas as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Costa Rica 1, USMNT 0: Ill-advised foul results in penalty shot
A reckless challenge by USMNT defender Max Arfsten inside the 18-yard box on Kenneth Vargas resulted in a penalty shot goal by Costa Rica’s Francisco Calvo in the 12th minute.
U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese nearly stopped the shot, but Calvo was able to get the shot through inside of the post.
This is the first time that the U.S. has trailed in this year’s Gold Cup tournament. Let’s see how this largely inexperienced squad responds to early adversity in this quarterfinal match.
What time is USMNT vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup game?
The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal between the USMNT and Costa Rica is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET, with the teams meeting at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
How to watch USMNT vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup game: TV, stream
Time: 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
TV: Fox (English), Univision, TUDN (both Spanish)
Stream: Fubo, Sling TV
Watch the USMNT vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup game on Fubo
USMNT starting 11 vs. Costa Rica
Costa Rica starting 11 vs. USMNT
Concacaf Gold Cup bracket and remaining schedule
QUARTERFINALS
Saturday, June 28
Honduras 1, Panama 1 (Honduras won penalty shootout, 5-4)
Mexico 2, Saudi Arabia 0
Sunday, June 29
Guatemala 1, Canada 1 (Guatemala won penalty shootout, 6-5)
United States vs. Costa Rica at U.S. Bank Stadium, 7 p.m. ET (FOX)
SEMIFINALS
Wednesday, July 2
Guatemala vs. United States-Costa Rica winner at Energizer Park, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
Honduras vs. Mexico at Levi’s Stadium, 10 p.m. ET (FS1)
FINAL
Sunday, July 6
Semifinal winners at NRG Stadium, 7 p.m. ET (FOX)
Which players are on the USMNT Gold Cup roster?
Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/England)
Defenders (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/France), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/England), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel/Germany), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders (9): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/England); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/England), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/Spain), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands)
Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht/Netherlands), Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Damion Downs (FC Köln/Germany), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada)
Diversity is not what’s dragging down U.S. men’s national team. Data proves it
Whatever is wrong with the U.S. men’s national soccer team, and pull up a chair because there’s lots to discuss, diversity isn’t it.
That’s not just an aspirational statement. There are studies to prove it. In fact, researchers who’ve looked at both club and national teams across the world recently found diversity actually made squads better. — Nancy Armour
USMNT’s Alex Freeman is the son of Super Bowl winner Antonio Freeman
Alex Freeman, a 20-year-old defender who plays professionally for Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer, is the son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman.
Antonio Freeman spent eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers, helping the team win Super Bowl XXXI. In that victory, Freeman had an 81-yard touchdown reception.
Alex Freeman, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, signed a homegrown deal with Orlando City in 2022. He made his debut with the team on April 29, 2023 during a win over the LA Galaxy. Alex Freeman made his USMNT debut as a starter in the team’s 2-1 defeat against Turkey on June 7.
What is the Concacaf Gold Cup?
The Gold Cup is a biennial tournament for national teams in the North and Central American and Caribbean region associated with Concacaf. Mexico (nine times), the U.S. (seven times) and Canada (one time) are the only nations to have won the Gold Cup. Mexico won the last Gold Cup competition in 2023.
USMNT 2025 schedule and results
Jan. 20 (friendly) — United States 3, Venezuela 1
Jan. 22 (friendly) — United States 3, Costa Rica 0
March 20 (Concacaf Nations League) — Panama 1, United States 0
March 23 (Concacaf Nations League third-place match) — Canada 2, United States 1
June 7 (friendly) — Türkiye 2, United States 1
June 10 (friendly) — Switzerland 4, United States 0
June 15 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 5, Trinidad and Tobago 0
June 19 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 1, Saudi Arabia 0
June 22 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 2, Haiti 1
June 29 (Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal) — United States vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m. ET (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis)
Sept. 6 (friendly) — United States vs. South Korea, 5 p.m. ET (Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J.)
Sept. 9 (friendly) — United States vs. Japan, 7:30 p.m. ET (Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio)