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NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
How to watch USMNT vs Guatemala: Gold Cup stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
The USMNT beat Costa Rica in one penalty shootout, just hours after Guatemala did the same to eliminate Canada, setting up an unlikely semifinal showdown in the semifinals of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Wednesday (7 pm ET). MORE — Gold Cup schedule | Club World Cup knockout bracket Mauricio Pochettino's side erased an early deficit with goals two minutes before and after halftime, but the Ticos hit back in the 71st minute and took the Yanks to spot kicks. Goalkeeper Matt Freese wound up the hero of the day after saving three of six attempts from 12 yards. Even without the likes of Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun and Yunus Musah, the Americans are in the semifinals of the Gold Cup for the 13th straight tournament. How to watch USMNT vs Guatemala live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 7 pm ET, Wednesday How to watch: FS1, TUDN Stream online: or the FOX Sports app USMNT focus, team news Two USMNT players, Malik Tillman and Patrick Agyemang, felt slightly worse for wear when they awoke on Monday after throwing themselves into 34 duels (18 won) and suffering eight fouls between them. Tillman took six of those fouls and at looked like he might have to come off at multiple points during the second half, only to go the full 90 and redeem himself in the penalty shootout after he hit the post from the spot in the 37th minute. Tillman has been a revelation at this tournament (3 goals, 1 assist) after finishing the Eredivisie season with a bang (5 goals, 1 assist in eight games upon returning from an ankle injury. Next stop: Bayer Leverkusen? And then, World Cup starting XI for the USMNT? We shall see, sooner rather than later. Guatemala focus, team news Guatemala found themselves a goal down midway through the first half as well, and their fortunes also changed right before halftime when Jacob Shaffelburg was shown his second yellow card and sent off. Los Chapines equalized through former United States international Rubio Rubin, who switched his international allegiance in 2022 to represent his mother's homeland. Rubio has scored 13 goals in 34 appearances. USMNT vs Guatemala prediction At this point of the tournament, Pochettino's team just about picks itself with promising performers (Tillman, Agyemang and Diego Luna) becoming breakout stars across the front line. As their chemistry grows, so will their output. USMNT 3-1 Guatemala.
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
A Study In Winning: Matt Freese's Harvard Days Helped The U.S. Take A Big Step
MINNEAPOLIS — Matt Freese went into Sunday's penalty shootout against Costa Rica fully understanding the stakes. If the U.S. goalkeeper wanted to give his team a chance to win the match and advance to Wednesday's Gold Cup semifinal against Guatemala, he knew he'd have to outperform legendary Ticos backstop Keylor Navas, a three-time UEFA Champions League winner and perhaps the most decorated player in Concacaf history. "He's one of the best in the history of the world and to share that pitch with him was very special," Freese said after making three saves in the tiebreaker to help the Americans advance following a 2-2 draw. "But yeah, in the moment, I'm not really thinking about that." What the Harvard-educated Freese was thinking about, somewhere in the recesses of his mind, was a lengthy research project he did while in college. The subject? Penalty kicks. "To be able to rely on that type of thing and deal with a lot of statistics, read the game and read their hips and things like that, is massive," Freese said. It ended up being massive for Mauricio Pochettino's team, too. After Freese made an error that cost his side a goal in the group stage finale against Haiti, it would've been easy for the U.S. coach to sit him in favor of the far more experienced Matt Turner, the longtime No. 1 and 2022 World Cup starter. But Turner barely played for English club Crystal Palace last season, and the coach wanted to give another keeper a chance this summer. So Pochettino stuck with the in-form New York City FC custodian, the man who's been in goal all tournament. He was rewarded when it mattered most. "Any keeper can make a mistake; the most important [thing] is to make a decision and translate the confidence and trust," Pochettino said. That trust has extended across his roster at this Gold Cup. With USMNT headliner Christian Pulisic and several other regulars missing for various reasons, others have been forced to step up. Left-back Max Arfsten conceded a 12th minute penalty kick to Costa Rica, but made up for it later with his first career international goal. Malik Tillman, the Americans' best player this summer, missed a first-half penalty but assisted on Arfsten's strike, then buried his shootout attempt past Navas with venom. "Obviously I was angry and wanted to score," Tillman said of his second attempt from 12 yards. Youngsters Alex Freeman and Damion Downs also buried their spot-kicks, with Downs potting the winner following Freese's third and final penalty stop. "If they don't have this type of experience, how can they improve?" Pochettino asked rhetorically. "It's impossible." During Sunday's hard-fought and sometimes ill-tempered encounter, you could almost see this green U.S. squad growing up in real time. Now they're two wins away from a title. "Chemistry is building each day and each game is getting better on our part," said Diego Luna, who scored his first career international goal to cancel out the Ticos' opener. "But I still think we have a lot to improve." True as that might be, the U.S. took a big step forward on Sunday. They didn't put their heads down after that worst-case-scenario of a start. Same thing when the visitors equalized with 20 minutes left to play. They didn't flinch when Navas saved substitute John Tolkin's penalty try that would've won the game for the U.S. a kick earlier. That resilience and determination will come in handy next summer, when the U.S. co-hosts the World Cup. And it wasn't just the players on the field who contributed on Sunday. "I am so happy with the players on the bench that didn't have the possibility to play," Pochettino said. "They were the first supporters, the first fans, the first people helping their teammates to achieve and to earn what we earned . "A big part of why we're in the semifinals," he added, "is because of the behavior of and the help from the players from the bench." But the biggest contributor on a memorable night for the U.S. was Freese, who has rocketed up Pochettino's depth chart this month. "After the first save, I went over to the corner, and I kept repeating to myself, I want another," he said. "It means a lot that he's put that faith in me. And he told me, it's a learning experience for me, but also an opportunity for me to show what I have. "I'm super, super grateful that I was able to help my team win today." Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ ByDougMcIntyre . recommended Get more from Gold Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
NBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC News
U.S. beats Costa Rica in thrilling penalty shootout to advance in Gold Cup
MINNEAPOLIS — Damion Downs scored in the sixth round of a shootout after three saves by Matt Freese, sending the U.S. to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over Costa Rica after a 2-2 tie on Sunday night. The U.S. advanced to a Wednesday matchup in St. Louis against Guatemala, which upset Canada on penalty kicks in the opener of the quarterfinal doubleheader. "They showed today great character," U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Freese batted away shootout attempts by Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo and Andy Rojas. "Penalties are my thing," Freese said. "On the plane ride over here to Minnesota I was studying the penalties and I've been studying them all week." Mexico plays Honduras in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. The championship is in Houston on July 6. The U.S. has reached the semifinals in 17 of 18 Gold Cups, including 13 straight since a penalty-kicks loss to Colombia in a 2000 quarterfinal. Diego Luna and Max Arfsten scored in regulation for the No. 16 U.S., which faced its highest-ranked opponent of the tournament in Costa Rica (54th) after breezing through the group stage with an 8-1 goal differential. Alonso Martinez scored the tying goal for the Ticos in the 71st minute with a left-footed shot after Carlos Mora split Luca de La Torre and Arsten to take a shot on Freese and seize the rebound to set up Martinez. CONCACAF changed the rules for this edition of the biennial championship for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, eliminating extra time except for the championship game. John Tolkin had the first chance to win the shootout for the U.S. Keylor Navas knocked down his try in the fifth round. Freese then denied Rojas with a diving hand, climbing to his feet while nodding his head and sticking out his tongue toward his cheering teammates at midfield. That set up the winner by the 20-year-old Downs. Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest, due to a variety of reasons from injuries to rest to Club World Cup commitments. The Ticos played without four key players. Forward Manfred Ugalde, who had three goals in the tournament, and midfielder Carlos Mora were suspended for yellow-card accumulation. Defender Ariel Lassiter (broken left hand) and forward Warren Madrigal (broken left leg) were sidelined by injuries. Three of Costa Rica's six goals during the group stage came by penalty kick, and Calvo added another one in the 12th minute after a foul by Arsten. Calvo went low to zip the ball just out of reach of a diving Freese. Malik Tillman put a 37th-minute penalty kick off a post and Navas knocked away Arfsten's attempt off the rebound. Luna scored his first international goal in the 43rd by rocketing a shot off the chest of defender Alexis Gamboa. Tillman made amends for his miss early in the second half by poking a pass ahead for Arfsten, who surged in from a wing to send the ball into the opposite corner for a 2-1 lead.
3 days ago
- Sport
US gets past Costa Rica in Gold Cup quarterfinals on penalty kicks
MINNEAPOLIS -- Damion Downs scored in the sixth round of a shootout after three saves by Matt Freese, sending the U.S. to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over Costa Rica after a 2-2 tie on Sunday night. The U.S. advanced to a Wednesday matchup in St. Louis against Guatemala, which upset Canada on penalty kicks in the opener of the quarterfinal doubleheader. 'They showed today great character,' U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Freese batted away shootout attempts by Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo and Andy Rojas. 'Penalties are my thing,' Freese said. 'On the plane ride over here to Minnesota I was studying the penalties and I've been studying them all week.' Mexico plays Honduras in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. The championship is in Houston on July 6. The U.S. has reached the semifinals in 17 of 18 Gold Cups, including 13 straight since a penalty-kicks loss to Colombia in a 2000 quarterfinal. Diego Luna and Max Arfsten scored in regulation for the No. 16 U.S., which faced its highest-ranked opponent of the tournament in Costa Rica (54th) after breezing through the group stage with an 8-1 goal differential. Alonso Martinez scored the tying goal for the Ticos in the 71st minute with a left-footed shot after Carlos Mora split Luca de La Torre and Arsten to take a shot on Freese and seize the rebound to set up Martinez. CONCACAF changed the rules for this edition of the biennial championship for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, eliminating extra time except for the championship game. John Tolkin had the first chance to win the shootout for the U.S. Keylor Navas knocked down his try in the fifth round. Freese then denied Rojas with a diving hand, climbing to his feet while nodding his head and sticking out his tongue toward his cheering teammates at midfield. That set up the winner by the 20-year-old Downs. Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest, due to a variety of reasons from injuries to rest to Club World Cup commitments. The Ticos played without four key players. Forward Manfred Ugalde, who had three goals in the tournament, and midfielder Carlos Mora were suspended for yellow-card accumulation. Defender Ariel Lassiter (broken left hand) and forward Warren Madrigal (broken left leg) were sidelined by injuries. Three of Costa Rica's six goals during the group stage came by penalty kick, and Calvo added another one in the 12th minute after a foul by Arsten. Calvo went low to zip the ball just out of reach of a diving Freese. Malik Tillman put a 37th-minute penalty kick off a post and Navas knocked away Arfsten's attempt off the rebound. Luna scored his first international goal in the 43rd by rocketing a shot off the chest of defender Alexis Gamboa. Tillman made amends for his miss early in the second half by poking a pass ahead for Arfsten, who surged in from a wing to send the ball into the opposite corner for a 2-1 lead.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
USMNT advances to Gold Cup semis after hanging on for tense win over Costa Rica in penalties
MINNEAPOLIS — Damion Downs scored in the sixth round of a shootout after three saves by Matt Freese, sending the U.S. to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over Costa Rica after a 2-2 tie on Sunday night. The U.S. advanced to a Wednesday matchup in St. Louis against Guatemala, which upset Canada on penalty kicks in the opener of the quarterfinal doubleheader. 'They showed today great character,' U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Advertisement 3 Matthew Freese (L.) celebrates after the USMNT's win over Costa Rica on June 29, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Mexico plays Honduras in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. The championship is in Houston on July 6. The U.S. has reached the semifinals in 17 of 18 Gold Cups, including 13 straight since a quarterfinal loss to Colombia on penalty kicks in 2000. Advertisement Diego Luna and Max Arfsten scored in regulation for the U.S., which faced its highest-ranked opponent of the tournament in Costa Rica (54th) after breezing through the group stage with an 8-1 goal differential. Alonso Martinez scored the tying goal for the Ticos in the 71st minute with a left-footed shot after Carlos Mora split Luca de La Torre and Arsten to take a shot on Freese and seize the rebound to set up Martinez. 3 Diego Angel Luna (10) celebrates after scoring during the USMNT-Costa Rica match on June 29, 2025. AP CONCACAF changed the rules for this edition of the biennial championship for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, eliminating extra time except for the championship game. Advertisement John Tolkin had the first chance to win the shootout for the U.S. Keylor Navas knocked down his try in the fifth round. Freese then denied Andy Rojas with a diving hand, climbing to his feet while nodding his head and sticking out his tongue toward his cheering teammates at midfield. That set up the winner by the 20-year-old Downs. Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest, due to a variety of reasons from injuries to rest to Club World Cup commitments. 3 Diego Angel Luna (10) celebrates after scoring during the USMNT-Costa Rica match on June 29, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The Ticos played without four key players. Forward Manfred Ugalde, who had three goals in the tournament, and midfielder Carlos Mora were suspended for yellow-card accumulation. Defender Ariel Lassiter (broken left hand) and forward Warren Madrigal (broken left leg) were sidelined by injuries. Advertisement Three of Costa Rica's six goals during the group stage came by penalty kick, and Francisco Calvo added another one in the 12th minute after a foul by Arsten. Calvo went low to zip the ball just out of reach of a diving Freese. Malik Tillman, who had three group stage goals, put a 37th-minute penalty kick off a post and Navas knocked away Arfsten's attempt off the rebound. Luna picked him up with his first goal in international competition by rocketing a shot off the chest of defender Alexis Gamboa for the equalizer in the 43rd minute. Tillman made amends for his miss early in the second half by poking a pass ahead for Arfsten, who surged in from the left wing to send the ball into the opposite corner for the lead.
