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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
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.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
United States vs. Costa Rica odds, predictions: Gold Cup best bets, picks Sunday
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The U.S. Men's National Team took the first step toward getting back on track at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Yanks went 3-0-0 with a plus-seven goal difference (eight goals for, one goal against) against Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti. That's not exactly a murderers' row. Still, you can only play the team in front of you, and considering the state of Team USA — on and off the pitch — before the tournament, it is encouraging to see the Stars & Stripes get through to the quarterfinals without any strife. The Americans now set their sights on Costa Rica on Sunday night. Team USA is a -400 favorite to advance and is currently sitting at -190 odds to win the match inside 90 minutes. Gold Cup: United States vs. Costa Rica betting preview This looks like a mismatch on paper. The Americans, even without many of their top players, should be able to roll over Los Ticos. Like any team in CONCACAF, Costa Rica won't shy away from turning this into a physical, whistle-filled grind, recognizing that that's their best path to success. Team USA will be desperate to avoid having this match turn into a rock fight, and the best way to do that is to get on the board early. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas (1) clears a ball during the second half against Mexico during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Allegiant Stadium. Matt Aguirre-Imagn Images An early goal by the Americans will force Costa Rica to come out of its shell, which would be a massive boost for Team USA's chances of winning this match. Against previous iterations of Costa Rica, the job of getting on the board early and overrunning them was easier said than done, but this version of Los Ticos is showing to be quite vulnerable defensively. Suriname scored three goals and created 1.4 expected goals on seven shots on target against Costa Rica, while the Dominican Republic created 1.6 xG in their match with Los Ticos. Costa Rica did hold Mexico in a nil-nil draw, but El Tri dominated that match with 70 percent possession, 1.8 expected goals and 15 total shots. Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps Gold Cup: United States vs. Costa Rica pick The Americans should be on the front foot from the beginning in this match, and I like their chances of opening up this match and making it uncomfortable for Costa Rica. There are plenty of ways to bet into that narrative, but my favorite is backing Team USA on the alternate spread of -2.5 goals at +440 odds. The Play: United States -2.5 (+440, FanDuel) Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
USA vs. Costa Rica Betting Odds, Best Bets: USMNT Favored In Gold Cup QF
Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT are favored over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup on Sunday night. Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT are favored over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup on Sunday night. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. USA takes on Costa Rica tonight in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in one of the biggest games of Manager Mauricio Pochettino's stint at the helm of the USMNT. Though the team is currently without a number of its best players, including stars Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, a loss to this Costa Rica squad would mark a massive disappointment just one year after a full-strength lineup failed to reach the knockout stage of the 2024 Copa America. Following a pair of disastrous showings in pre-Gold Cup friendlies vs. Turkey and Switzerland -- which the American lost by a combined score of 6-1 -- they took down Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti in group play to reach the quarters. Costa Rica, which has traditionally been a tough opponent for the United States, is coming off a solid showing in group play. Los Ticos beat Suriname and the Dominican Republic and also earned a 0-0 draw against tournament favorite Mexico. USA vs. Costa Rica Betting Odds Below are the odds from three top sportsbooks in the two most popular markets for soccer matches: three-way moneyline and match winner. Gold Cup Quarterfinal Moneyline Odds: USA vs. Costa Rica The DraftKings, FanDuel and bet365 three-way moneyline odds below apply to today's result after 90 minutes, plus stoppage time. DK FD bet365 USA -175 -175 -182 Costa Rica +550 +500 +550 Draw +295 +280 +290 Gold Cup Quarterfinal Winner Odds: USA vs. Costa Rica Sportsbooks also offer each team's odds to advance tonight. In this market, it doesn't matter whether the winner comes out on top in 90 minutes, extras or PKs. DK FD bet365 USA -400 -385 -350 Costa Rica +295 +290 +250 How to Watch USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup Quarterfinals Kickoff : 7 p.m. ET : 7 p.m. ET TV: FOX/Universo USA vs. Costa Rica Betting Analysis The odds for tonight's game give Costa Rica very little respect, and they also downplay how uninspiring (or worse) the Americans have looked under Mauricio Pochettino in 2025. And remember, the USMNT lost to Costa Rica in both qualifiers ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and it split its two 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica. USA did, however, beat Costa Rica 3-0 in the most recent meeting between these teams in a friendly back in January. One big reason why the USA is so heavily favored tonight is that Costa Rica will be without two key starters in defender Joseph Mora and forward Manfred Ugalde. Ugalde is Costa Rica's top player, and he scored two goals vs. Suriname in group play, then tallied a goal and an assist vs. the Dominican Rebublic. Even shorthanded -- the only two starters from the 2022 World Cup who are starting for this squad are center back Tim Ream and midfielder Tyler Adams -- the USA has a talent advantage in this match, especially with Ugalde and Mora unavailable. But we've seen little reason to expect USA (FIFA No. 16) to win comfortably, as the Gold Cup group stage wins over Trinidad and Tobago (FIFA No. 100), Saudi Arabia (FIFA No. 58) and Haiti (FIFA No. 83) were just a case of the Americans handling overmatched opponents. Against a Costa Rica side (FIFA No. 54) that has not been great defensively, I expect a back-and-forth battle tonight, with the USA squeaking out a win. It would be a gross understatement to say that going out in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup -- especially after entering this tournament on a four-game losing streak -- would ramp up doubts about USA's chances of making noise in the 2026 World Cup. I expect this to be a struggle for the USMNT early on, which makes the halftime draw tempting. The other play I'd recommend tonight is USA to Win and Over 1.5. USA vs. Costa Rica Best Bets Halftime draw (+115 at DK) -- 1 unit Parlay: USA To Win, Over 1.5 (+100 at DK) -- 1 unit Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USMNT vs. Costa Rica: Where to watch, TV channel, live stream
The U.S. men's national team begins the Gold Cup knockout phase with a quarterfinal match against Costa Rica on Sunday in Minneapolis. Mauricio Pochettino's side reached the last eight after winning all three of its matches in Group D. Malik Tillman scored a brace in a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago to kick off the tournament, while Chris Richards scored the only goal in a tense 1-0 win against Saudi Arabia. Patrick Agyemang then sealed a 2-1 win over Haiti to close out the group stage. Costa Rica finished second in Group A after defeating Suriname and the Dominican Republic, then drawing Mexico to close out a seven-point group phase. Watch USMNT vs. Costa Rica on Prime Video Los Ticos will enter this match shorthanded, with star forward Manfred Ugalde and midfielder Carlos Mora suspended for yellow-card accumulation. They join the injured Ariel Lassiter, Warren Madrigal and Jeyland Mitchell. The USMNT is also missing a number of regulars, but no players have been injured or suspended since the tournament began. The USMNT and Costa Rica met most recently in a January friendly, with the U.S. winning 3-0. Overall, the USMNT has a 20W-17L-6D record in 43 all-time matches against Costa Rica. The winner of this match will face the winner between Canada and Guatemala in the semifinal in St. Louis on Wednesday. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game. How to watch USMNT vs. Costa Rica USMNT vs. Costa Rica prediction This should be a tight affair but the absence of Ugalde, who scored three goals in the group stage, is a painful one for Costa Rica. The USMNT built some momentum in the group stage and should have just enough to overcome Los Ticos. We say the U.S. wins 2-0. We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to watch USMNT vs Costa Rica live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
It's Take Two for Mauricio Pochettino in tournament knockout rounds for the United States men's national team when the Yanks face Costa Rica in a 2025 Gold Cup quarterfinal in Minneapolis on Sunday. Pochettino led the Yanks to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals before they bowed out earlier this year, and he's engineered a near-perfect group stage at the Gold Cup. Advertisement The USMNT have won all three of their matches, conceding a single goal to win Group D and set up a showdown with Costa Rica. Los Ticos were hard-luck runners-up in Group A, beating Dominican Republic and Suriname but drawing Mexico to finish behind El Tri on a single goal in goal differential. Led by former Mexico manager Miguel Herrera, Costa Rica should prove the toughest test of the tournament so far for the Yanks after Pochettino oversaw wins over Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti. For live updates and highlights throughout USMNT vs Costa Rica, check out PST's live blog coverage below. How to watch USMNT vs Costa Rica live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 7pm ET Sunday Advertisement How to watch: FOX, TUDN Stream online: or the FOX Sports app USMNT team news, focus It's been a breakout tournament for Malik Tillman, and the USMNT's midfield is deep and strong even without several key names. Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, and Luca de la Torre are among the players who will patrol the middle of the park. Tim Ream and Chris Richards have proven solid at the back, though Pochettino has to choose his man behind them. Matt Freese had been good but made a bad error on the lone concession of the tournament. Costa Rica team news, focus Los Ticos are a threat with 23-year-old Spartak Moscow star Manfred Ugalde leading the line, and he scored three goals in the group stage after leading the Russian top flight in goals this season. Young Rio Ave midfielder Brandon Aguilera has also been excellent on this stage, and Westerlo 20-year-old Josimer Alcocer has bagged a pair of goals. Questions were raised off three conceded goals to Suriname and another one to the Dominican Republic, but a nil-nil over 90 minutes against Mexico shows that Keylor Navas and his back line are no slouches. USMNT vs Costa Rica prediction The Yanks are due for a scare, and Costa Rica are their toughest foe since the friendly losses to Turkiye and Switzerland. Keylor Navas was solid in a 0-0 draw against Mexico, but Los Ticos back line is not what it's been in the past. Costa Rica's Manfred Ugalde is a player but the U.S. has the most dangerous playmaker in Malik Tillman. Herrera's tournament nous is a wild card here, but Pochettino has looked more and more comfortable with both his Best XI and this tournament. Should the USMNT be on upset alert? Only if they are not alert. The Yanks have shown entitlement in the past but seem to have been properly awakened by the chastening loss to Switzerland. Ultimately, the USMNT depth in midfield and relative strength at center back — speaking in CONCACAF terms — should be enough for a place in the semifinal round. USMNT 2-1 Costa Rica.
