Matt Freese has endured some tough moments this summer with the U.S. men’s national team but Sunday wasn’t one of them.
Freese made three shootout saves, helping the USMNT outlast Costa Rica 4-3 in penalty kicks to advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals. The 26-year-old earned SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors for his impactful showing against The Ticos.
Freese may have been beaten twice in regulation, but the veteran goalkeeper rose the occasion in the penalty shootout. The NYCFC man denied Juan Vargas in the second round before also standing tall to punch away Francisco Calvo’s down-the-middle effort in the fifth round.
His best save came in the sixth round when Freese dove and denied Andy Rojas from putting Costa Rica in front 4-3. Substitute Damion Downs delivered the winning spot kick, setting up a Wednesday night showdown with Guatemala in St. Louis.
Freese has continued to fend off veteran Matt Turner for the No. 1 spot at the Gold Cup and Sunday’s performance will certainly boost his confidence.
“[It was a] full team effort, it really shows the energy and mentality of the group to come back from 1-0 down,” Freese said on FOX’s broadcast postmatch. “Everyone stepped up in PK’s.”
Freese edged Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, and Max Arfsten for Player of the Match honors.
What did you think of Freese’s performance? Where would you rank him in the USMNT goalkeeping pecking order?
Share your thoughts below.
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