Following a solid performance in the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage, the knockout rounds have arrived for the U.S. men`s national team. They aim to reclaim the title from Mexico and face a familiar opponent in Costa Rica. The objective remains the same: advance to challenge the winner of Canada and Guatemala for a place in the final.
The USMNT defense faces a challenge from in-form Costa Rican forwards Manfred Ugalde and Alonso Martinez, but this presents a valuable test. As the team assesses players for the 2026 World Cup squad, such challenges are necessary. While the attack has been effective in the Gold Cup so far, the defense has shown occasional vulnerabilities. This is the opportune time to tighten things up heading into the knockout phase.
Match Information and Key Storylines:
How to Watch and Betting Odds
- Date: Sunday, June 29 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, Minnesota
- TV: FOX | Live stream: Available via streaming platforms
- Odds: USMNT -180; Draw +280; Costa Rica +500
Previous Encounter
The USMNT played a weakened Costa Rica side in January this year, securing a 2-0 victory. That US squad featured a strong MLS contingent, including players like Jack McGlynn, Diego Luna, Brian White, and Patrick Agyemang, who are also part of the current team facing Costa Rica`s top squad. This match provides a valuable benchmark for Pochettino to compare their current performance against their January showing.
Expected 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
Manfred Ugalde, Costa Rica: At just 23 years old, Ugalde is coming off a strong season with Spartak Moscow, where he netted 17 goals in the Russian Premier League, making him a sought-after transfer target. He has already scored three goals and provided an assist in the Gold Cup but was unable to impact the match against Mexico. A standout performance against the USMNT would further enhance his profile, potentially leading to a move to a bigger European club. For the USMNT defense, Ugalde represents a significant challenge, which is beneficial for their development.
Key Storyline
Will off-field distractions affect performance? The transfer window has generated some noise around the USMNT camp, with Malik Tillman linked to Bayer Leverkusen, Patrick Agyemang to Derby County, and rumors persisting about Johnny Cardoso potentially moving to Atletico Madrid. While Cardoso might be unavailable due to an ankle injury, and players state they are focused on the match, it`s challenging not to consider potentially life-altering career moves. This focus must remain external. Additionally, rumors have connected Pochettino to the Brentford job, although the Argentine has denied those rumors. This represents a number of potential distractions. Winning would help set these aside, but if the USMNT struggles, these issues could linger.
Match Prediction
Costa Rica has shown improvement and is likely to score in this match. However, the USMNT`s attack has been a highlight of the tournament. Led by an in-form Tillman, the USMNT is expected to score enough goals to advance to the semifinals and continue their pursuit of the Gold Cup title. Prediction: USMNT 2, Costa Rica 1
