Matt Freese has endured some robust moments this summer season with the U.S. males’s nationwide crew however Sunday wasn’t one among them.
Freese made three shootout saves, serving to 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 exhibiting towards The Ticos.
Freese could have been overwhelmed twice in regulation, however the veteran goalkeeper rose the event within the penalty shootout. The NYCFC man denied Juan Vargas within the second spherical earlier than additionally standing tall to punch away Francisco Calvo’s down-the-middle effort within the fifth spherical.
His greatest save got here within the sixth spherical when Freese dove and denied Andy Rojas from placing Costa Rica in entrance 4-3. Substitute Damion Downs delivered the successful spot kick, establishing a Wednesday night time showdown with Guatemala in St. Louis.
Freese has continued to fend off veteran Matt Turner for the No. 1 spot on the Gold Cup and Sunday’s efficiency will definitely enhance his confidence.
“[It was a] full crew effort, it actually exhibits the power and mentality of the group to come back again from 1-0 down,” Freese stated on FOX’s broadcast postmatch. “Everybody stepped up in PK’s.”
Freese edged Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, and Max Arfsten for Participant of the Match honors.
What did you consider Freese’s efficiency? The place would you rank him within the USMNT goalkeeping pecking order?
Share your ideas beneath.