A gritty win brings the USMNT on the brink of a Gold Cup final
The US Men’s National Team emerged victorious after a penalty shoot out win against Costa Rica that was played in a glass cage of emotion. Spot kicks loomed large in the match that was rich in moments of debacle, redemption, struggle, and ultimately triumph. After giving up a penalty Max Arfsten put in a goal and assist to bring the USA to a penalty shootout and a chance to move on. Malik Tillman missed a chance to even the score 37th minute from the spot but converted his try during the shootout. In net, Matt Freese saved three penalties, including blocking a shot by Francisco Calvo who had made it 1-0 from the spot in the first half.
All together the match had the feeling of a performance that the USA can draw from in order to grow into the tournament. Freese’s penalty performance rewarded his manager’s confidence in him and after falling behind and missing a chance to tie the game, the players lifted each other up and fought for the win.
The Americans will bring that energy into a showdown with Guatemala. The Central Americans defeated a 10 man Canada side in penalties. It is the kind of upset that makes us all point and laugh at Les Rouges; nature is healing. That said, Los Chapines also overcame Jamaica and cannot be overlooked as they showed in the Quarterfinals.
As far as what to expect in this match, Guatemala seems ambivalent about their philosophy when it comes to possession. They don’t exactly avoid possession, but don’t exactly plan to possess it either. The USA should be able to set the tempo and make their opponents adjust to them. Against Costa Rica, Mauricio Pochettino’s side took 18 shots, only four were on target but the team got forward and took their tries on goal.
While Guatemala has been solid defensively, they’re a step below Costa Rica. The USA should be able to find more space and need to take advantage of that to work more effective attacking moves. If there’s an area that Americans need to tidy up it is whatever is going on with the decision making between the center backs, particularly Tim Ream and Freese, when it comes to when to cycle the ball back to the keeper and when to clear the lines. Guatemala can take advantage of mistakes in the defensive third and Rubio Rubin is capable to converting them into goals.
The Stars and Stripes have the talent and now have a team win in the books that can bond them into a side that is not only overcoming doubt, but is building momentum to potentially lifting a trophy.
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