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 a 2-2 tie.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets celebrates a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on April 28, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. ‘They’re out of control’: Teenage girl injured during shooting at party in South Park neighborhoodUnited States goalkeeper Matthew Freese celebrates with teammates after winning a penalty kick shootout of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Costa Rica, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. United States goalkeeper Matthew Freese stops a shot during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Costa Rica, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. Costa Rica defender Francisco Javier Calvo Quesada stands on the field with teammates after losing to the United states in penalty kicks of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. United States midfielder Diego Angel Luna celebrates next to midfielder Maximilian Michael Arfsten after scoring during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Costa Rica, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. United States goalkeeper Matthew Freese celebrates with teammates after winning a penalty kick shootout of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Costa Rica, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in 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 a 2-2 tie on Sunday night.“They showed today great character,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said.“Penalties are my thing,” Freese said. “On the plane ride over here to to Minnesota I was studying the penalties and I've been studying them all week.”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 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.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 and forward Warren Madrigal 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.Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Yunus Musah Luca De La Torre Christian Pulisic Damion Downs Diego Luna Keylor Navas Alonso Martinez Carlos Mora Sports Andy Rojas Warren Madrigal Antonee Robinson John Tolkin Alexis Gamboa Ariel Lassiter Francisco Calvo Matt Freese Manfred Ugalde Malik Tillman Weston Mckennie Folarin Balogun Tim Weah
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