USMNT learning how to fight through adversity at Gold Cup

Minneapolis – As Mike Tyson was once exposed, everyone has a plan until they are struck in the face. But the United States male national team went better in its confrontation in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF gold cup against Costa Rica.

On Sunday, the USMNT took several Haymakers to the Noggin. Admittedly, this is the standard in Concacaf, but in this match, the United States remained on its feet long enough to wear the final blow, Damion Downs converting the last attempt of the local team during the penalty shootout to win the 4-3 equality break after the additional time finished 2-2. The United States will face Guatemala, winner of the other quarter-final of the day against Canada, in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

This match was filled with a level of turbulence that no quantity of dramamine could counter. The players alternated between the villain and the hero, sometimes in a single half. You had Max Arfsten conceding a penalty, helping Diego Luna’s equalizer and marking his first international goal, to be beaten in the perspective of the second in Costa Rica. There was Malik Tillman, who missed a penalty in the first half, helped Arfsten’s goal, converted his attempt during the shooting and took lots of abuse – both physical and verbal – Los ticos The whole game.

But throughout the upheavals of the game, the United States managed to stick to its plan. Luna looked brilliant in a creative role, and Tyler Adams midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and Luca de la Torre proved to be promising. All of this turned out to be enough to move forward.

“I think we have shown great character, great character,” said American manager Mauricio Pochettino. “OK, we [concede] A penalty, we get the penalty, we miss a penalty, then the team continues and continues to believe in the way of playing. “”

The biggest hero of all was Matt Freese. The New York City FC goalkeeper also had his share of difficulties during the tournament. The goal he conceded against Haiti was on him. He could probably have done better in the perspective of the equalizer of the 71st minute of Alonso Martínez, when he abandoned a juicy rebound by Carlos Mora. And when the penalty shootout was signaled, there was a feeling that Costa Rica, with legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas in net, had the advantage.

But Freese also had certain advantages. After all, it is a man who, during his college days at Harvard University, has “a very long research project on kicks”.

“To be able to count on this type of thing and to face a lot of statistics and things like that, read the game and read their hips and things like that is massive,” said Freese.

However, the preparation will only get a goalkeeper so far. The here and now in a shooting offers its own unique set of challenges, most of them psychological. The safeguard of Freese by Juan Vargas in the second round of spot kicks obtained the nose of the USMNT in front, only for Berhalter then hiding his attempt on the bar. The Miss required mental reset for Freese, who then saved Francisco Calvo’s attempt.

“After the first backup, I went to the corner and I continued to repeat myself:” I want another, I want another “,” said Freese. “And then after the second backup, I did the same thing, I said to myself:” I want another. “”

Psyche’s work was necessary. The United States had the chance to win the shooting in the fifth round, but Navas saved John Tolkin’s efforts. But Freese was ready again and denied Juan Rojas with the first kick in sudden death, leaving the stockings to shoot the winner at home.

“I don’t know how to be sure of yourself. I think you have to take it one by one,” said Freeese about the shooting. “But I’m great, super grateful to have been able to help my team win today.”

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Pochettino: We have shown a great character against Costa Rica

Mauricio Pochettino thinks that its USMNT is starting to show its quality after the team qualified for the semi-finals of the Gold Cup.

Everything in this game – and this tournament – gave diapers of experience that are priceless for a young group. We still do not know how many players on this list will be there to contribute when the FIFA World Cup 2026 will start a little less than a year – especially when all the stars are reinstated – but it is imperative that they are ready if their name is called, and pass this type of tests will provide them with the basic type which cannot be obtained anywhere else. It is encouraging to see this group survive and, in some cases, prosper.

“I think everyone in our team has this mentality, but there will be certain situations where you are tested, you know what I mean?” Adams said. “So you can see it in training. You can see it in some games, when the games are easy. But it’s when S — becomes hard [you find out] If you are going to get on the plate. And tonight, many guys did that. “”

This applies to Arfsten maybe especially. He said afterwards: “I mean football is ups and downs. Everyone knows it. But for me, it was just a question of trying to make my brand on this game and get my” return “, as some would say. And I feel like doing this, and obviously, there is always room to improve myself, but I am satisfied with the way I showed.”

That said, there were many other lessons to learn from this match. These are the types of experiences that are easier to digest when you win, but could come back to bite the team later if they are not corrected. The United States seemed to the top after Arfsten’s goal for two minutes in the second half, and it cut the transverse bar eight minutes later. But the third goal of the killer has never come, and while the Costa Rica dug deeply in his bench – even if he was missing five players due to a suspension or an injury – the match bowed in favor of Los ticos.

“I think you can put the game in bed, and I think it is an important time that if you give some of these teams life, then they can take it,” said Adams.

The opponent in the semi-finals Guatemala, who survived a penalty shootout to upset highly favored Canada, excelled to inspire life in games that seemed out of reach. The United States will have to be on guard.

The veteran leadership of the team has not lost time after the match to give more wisdom. While the United States left the field, you could see the defender Tim Ream with an arm around Berhalter, probably chatting with the twists and turns of the game and providing the need to go ahead. But at each stage, with each triumph, and yes, even the errors, this USMNT discovers a little more about itself.

Deficits can be overcome. Tactical problems can be resolved. And he can deliver in the most difficult circumstances so that the team is still in the lead.