Goalkeeper Matt Freese was the standout performer as the United States defeated Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties to book a place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

Freese made three crucial saves in the shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time, securing a semi-final clash against Guatemala for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

The Harvard-educated New York City FC keeper denied Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo, and Andy Rojas from the spot, paving the way for 20-year-old substitute Damion Downs to convert the decisive penalty.

“Penalties are my thing,” Freese said post-match. “On the flight to Minnesota, I was studying their penalties, just in case. It was a full team effort — it shows the spirit and mentality of this group to bounce back from 1-0 and then handle the shootout like that.”

The USA will now face Guatemala, who upset Canada earlier on Sunday with a 6-5 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

The quarter-final began poorly for the US, as Costa Rica opened the scoring after just 12 minutes. Max Arfsten brought down Kenneth Vargas in the box, and Calvo converted from the spot to give Costa Rica the lead.

The US nearly equalised in the 35th minute after Juan Pablo Vargas fouled Malik Tillman, prompting a VAR review and another penalty. However, Tillman, taking his first-ever professional penalty, hit the post.

The Americans found a fortunate equaliser just before halftime, with Diego Luna’s deflected shot off Alexis Gamboa wrong-footing Keylor Navas to make it 1-1.

Momentum stayed with the US in the second half, and they took the lead in the 49th minute. Tillman set up Arfsten, who finished low past Navas for 2-1.

Chris Richards nearly extended the lead with a powerful header that was brilliantly saved by the 38-year-old Navas.

Costa Rica hit back in the 71st minute through Alonso Martinez, who capitalised on a rebound after Freese had saved from Carlos Mora’s initial effort. Martinez almost won it for Costa Rica in the 85th minute, but his shot struck the post.

The deadlock led to a tense penalty shootout, where Freese’s heroics proved decisive in sending the US through to the last four.