# USMNT Player Ratings: Freese the Hero as Stars & Stripes Survive Costa Rica Shootout

Following a heart-stopping penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica, our **USMNT player ratings** reflect a night of high drama, individual errors, and ultimate heroics. The United States Men’s National Team secured its place in a record 17th Gold Cup semifinal, but it took every ounce of resilience they could muster. After a chaotic 2-2 draw through 120 minutes of action, the fate of Gregg Berhalter’s side rested on the shoulders of goalkeeper Matt Freese, who delivered a legendary performance under pressure.

The match at U.S. Bank Stadium was a rollercoaster of emotions. The U.S. found themselves on the back foot early when a clumsy challenge from Max Arfsten gifted Costa Rica a penalty, which they duly converted. The drama intensified when, at the other end, Malik Tillman saw his own spot-kick saved, seemingly swinging momentum firmly in favor of *Los Ticos*. However, a moment of individual brilliance from Diego Luna leveled the score before halftime, setting the stage for a tense second half.

Arfsten redeemed his earlier mistake by putting the USMNT ahead, only for Costa Rica to find an equalizer in the 71st minute, exploiting the very same U.S. defender. With neither side able to find a winner in the remaining time or through extra time, the dreaded penalty shootout arrived. This is where a hero was forged. Matt Freese, who has been preferred over incumbent Matt Turner throughout this tournament, was simply colossal. He saved three of Costa Rica’s penalties, repeatedly giving his team a chance to win it. After both Sebastian Berhalter and John Tolkin missed their chances to be the hero, substitute Damion Downs stepped up and coolly slotted home the winning kick, sending the U.S. to a semifinal clash with Guatemala.

## Complete USMNT Player Ratings vs. Costa Rica

Here’s how each player performed on a nervy night in Minneapolis.

### Goalkeeper

**Matt Freese (9/10):** The undisputed Man of the Match. While he couldn’t stop the first-half penalty, he was an absolute titan in the shootout. Saving three penalties—the second, fifth, and sixth—is a monumental achievement that single-handedly kept the USMNT’s Gold Cup dreams alive. His composure and ice-cold demeanor under extreme pressure were nothing short of sensational. A career-defining performance.

### Defenders

**Max Arfsten (6/10):** A truly mixed bag for the right-back. He made a rash challenge to concede the early penalty, putting his team in a deep hole. However, he showed fantastic character to score the go-ahead goal in the second half. Unfortunately, he was then beaten too easily for Costa Rica’s equalizer. A night of highs and lows.

**Miles Robinson (7/10):** The most composed and reliable member of the backline. Robinson was solid in his challenges, read the game well, and was a calming presence amidst the chaos. He made several key interceptions and was largely untroubled.

**Jalen Neal (6/10):** A decent performance from the young center-back, though he had a few shaky moments when Costa Rica pressed high. He partnered well with Robinson for the most part but still shows room for growth in his decision-making.

**John Tolkin (6/10):** An energetic performance down the left flank, getting forward to support the attack whenever possible. His delivery from wide areas was inconsistent. His night was soured by the missed penalty in the shootout that could have won the match earlier.

### Midfielders

**James Sands (7/10):** Patrolled the area in front of the defense effectively, breaking up play and recycling possession. Sands provided a necessary shield for the backline and was tidy with his distribution, allowing the more creative players to push forward.

**Malik Tillman (5/10):** A frustrating night for the attacking midfielder. He was a creative spark at times, but his performance will be remembered for the crucial penalty miss in the first half. It was a poorly taken shot that let Costa Rica off the hook and prevented the U.S. from seizing control. He was substituted in the second half.

**Diego Luna (8/10):** The brightest attacking player for the U.S. His incredible equalizer was a moment of pure magic, showcasing his dribbling ability and lethal finishing. He was a constant threat, driving at the Costa Rican defense and looking to create chances. A star-making performance on the tournament stage.

### Forwards

**Cade Cowell (6/10):** His blistering pace was a weapon, but his final product was lacking. Cowell got into some great positions but often struggled with his decision-making in the final third, whether it was a misplaced pass or a rushed shot.

**Jesus Ferreira (6/10):** A quiet night for the tournament’s top scorer. He worked hard to press the Costa Rican defenders but was starved of clear-cut service and chances. He converted his penalty in the shootout with confidence.

**Jordan Morris (6/10):** A typically industrious performance from the veteran winger, but he failed to make a significant impact on the game. He was eventually replaced by Damion Downs, who would go on to score the winning penalty.

### Substitutes

**Sebastian Berhalter (5/10):** Came on to add fresh legs to the midfield but missed a golden opportunity to win the shootout.

**Damion Downs (7/10):** The hero you didn’t see coming. Showed incredible nerve for a young player to step up after two of his teammates had missed and bury the winning penalty. That moment alone earns him a high mark.

For more information on the tournament schedule and results, visit the official CONCACAF Gold Cup page. The USMNT will need to find another level of consistency if they hope to get past a giant-killing Guatemala side in the semifinals. Check back here for more news and analysis as the tournament progresses.