The American bank stadium witnessed two penalty shootouts on Sunday 29 June, the day that the last four of the Gold Cup 2025 was completed.
The United States slept through at the last minute after goalkeeper Matt Freese stood up enormously against Costa Rica and three spot kicks denied decisive and timely rescues.
The New York City FC Keeper had been one of the more surprising inclusions in the Restschulded team of Mauricio Pochettino for this edition of the tournament – and also one of the most criticized. He was taken under fire after an error in the game of the US against Haiti.
But that was the moment that Pochettino chose to support him. The USMNT coach offered a clear voice of trust in Freese when it mattered the most. On Sunday, the keeper delivered just when the team hung on a thread – a moment when the term of office of the Argentinian manager in America could define.
“Happy for him and for all our keepers”
Freese earned his place in the semi -finals of Gold Cup under the supervision of Pochettino, which never faltered, even after the Crystal Palace of Matt Turner had lifted the FA Cup a month earlier.
Turner had played a role in that Premier League triumph, but had not been a normal starter all year round. That opened the door for Pochettino to look somewhere else.
Yet the striking performance of Freese did not ask the coach to spend him. “We have great keepers and it's always a difficult decision,” he said. “We wanted to give him the opportunity based on the Turner circumstances – to get to know another keeper and to give confidence to someone who deserved it.”
He also made it a point to thank the goalkeeper coaches of the team for their preparation work.
“I am happy for him and for all keepers, because it also thanks to those they prepare,” he added.
After he had praised the US shot stopper, Pochettino turned wider to his players, with the emphasis on their resilience and the spirit they built throughout the month.
Defeats formed their competitive spirit
This is the same USMNT that was not convinced in the two friendly matches for the tournament – and now they are celebrating a place in the semi -final.
Their coach has supervised every step of the road. On Sunday, the team showed that progress when she walked back to Costa Rica.
The first international goal of Diego Luna canceled Malik Tillman's missed penalty and gave us a much needed boost on the way to rest.
“On 1-1 we found a little calmer to play,” said Pochettino. “The structure became cleaner, we could find players in space and we showed long pieces where our best players were at their best in the last third part.”
He defended Tillman as a stronger player than people realize – just like the rest of his team, all of whom have been lifted by the atmosphere in the camp.
“There is a spirit that is developed during the course of the month – from fighting, competing and creating the kind of atmosphere where there is no room for apologies. You have to give everything and overcome adversity.”
That spirit, he said, began to take shape after their early setbacks.
“Willpower is the first thing you need – it's not negotiable. Talent comes afterwards.”
The US is now preparing for Guatemala with a place in the final on the line.
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