Thrilling Draw: USA vs. Costa Rica 2-2 Match Analysis (June 29, 2025) | ESPN Insights

Damion Downs scored a crucial goal in the shootout, helping the U.S. advance to the semifinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup. They defeated Costa Rica 3-2 in the shootout after a tense 2-2 match on Sunday night.

The U.S. next faces Guatemala in St. Louis on Wednesday. Guatemala surprised many by knocking out Canada in their quarterfinal, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the tournament.

Historically, the U.S. has been a strong contender in the Gold Cup, reaching the semifinals 17 out of 18 times. This includes a streak of 13 consecutive semifinals since 2000.

During the match, Diego Luna and Max Arfsten scored for the U.S. Costa Rica equalized in the 71st minute with a goal from Alonso Martinez, following a well-placed shot from a rebound.

In an interesting rule change this year, Concacaf has removed extra time for all matches except the final. This makes every moment in regulation even more critical.

The shootout was nail-biting. John Tolkin had the chance to win it for the U.S., but Keylor Navas saved his kick. Matt Freese, the U.S. goalkeeper, then made a fantastic save against Andy Rojas, celebrating with his teammates. That set up Downs for his game-winning shot.

Notably, several key U.S. players, including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, missed the tournament due to injuries or club commitments. Costa Rica was also missing key players, which likely affected their performance.

Costa Rica had a mixed bag in the group stage, with three of their six goals coming from penalties. This indicates a potential weakness in their defensive play that other teams can exploit.

Overall, the tournament is full of surprises and drama, keeping fans on their toes. For further details on the tournament’s structure and updates, you can check Concacaf’s official page.

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