The knockout stages of the Concacaf Gold Cup are underway for the U.S. Men`s National Team, led by Mauricio Pochettino, following a strong performance in the group phase. Their objective is to reclaim the title currently held by Mexico. The USMNT faces a familiar adversary in Costa Rica, with the immediate goal of advancing to the semifinals to meet the winner of the Canada vs. Guatemala match, securing a potential spot in the final.
The USMNT defense anticipates a challenge from Costa Rica`s in-form strikers, Manfred Ugalde and Alonso Martinez. This presents a welcome opportunity for Pochettino, who is assessing players for the 2026 World Cup squad. Such tests against quality opposition are crucial for evaluation. While the USMNT attack has been effective in the tournament so far, the defense has shown occasional lapses. The knockout stage is an opportune moment to solidify defensive performance.
Match Information & Odds
Date: Sunday, June 29 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: FOX
Odds: USMNT -180; Draw +280; Costa Rica +500
Recent Encounter
The two teams last met in January of this year, with the USMNT securing a 2-0 victory against a less experienced Costa Rican lineup in a training camp match. Pochettino`s current squad includes a strong contingent of MLS players, several of whom, like Jack McGlynn, Diego Luna, Brian White, and Patrick Agyemang, participated in that January match. Facing Costa Rica`s full-strength team now offers a valuable benchmark for Pochettino to gauge the progress of these players since the earlier encounter.
Anticipated Lineups
USMNT: Matt Freese, Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Luca De La Torre, Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter, Diego Luna, Patrick Agyemang
Costa Rica: Keylor Navas, Joseph Mora, Francisco Calvo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Jeyland Mitchell, Carlos Mora, Josimar Alcocer, Orlando Galo, Brandon Aguilera, Manfred Ugalde, Alonso Martinez
Key Player to Watch
Manfred Ugalde, the 23-year-old Costa Rican forward, is a prominent player to watch. He is coming off a strong season for Spartak Moscow in Russia, where he scored 17 goals, making him a subject of transfer speculation. In the Gold Cup, Ugalde has already contributed three goals and one assist, though he was relatively quiet against Mexico. A strong performance against the USMNT could further enhance his profile for a potential move to a larger European club. For the USMNT defense, facing Ugalde provides an important test for their development.
Potential Distractions
External factors, particularly the ongoing transfer window, could potentially affect the teams. Several USMNT players have been linked with moves, including Malik Tillman to Bayer Leverkusen and Patrick Agyemang to Derby County, along with rumors surrounding Johnny Cardoso (though he might be sidelined with an injury) and Atletico Madrid. While players have stated their focus is on the match, it`s challenging to ignore potential life-altering career opportunities. Coach Pochettino has also faced speculation about his future, linked with the Brentford job, which he has denied. Managing these simultaneous external pressures requires significant focus. A victory would help the team maintain concentration and move past the distractions, whereas a poor result could prolong these issues.
Match Prediction
Costa Rica has shown improvement and is likely to find the back of the net in this match. However, the USMNT`s attack has been a highlight of their tournament campaign. Led by the impressive form of Malik Tillman, the USMNT is expected to score sufficient goals to secure a win and advance to face Canada or Guatemala in the semifinals, continuing their bid for the Gold Cup title. Prediction: USMNT 2, Costa Rica 1.
