Gold Cup Semifinal Stet
By Sam Mbonu
All is set for the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals with 3 games were settled on penalties, only Mexico won their game 2-0 against Saudi Arabia in regulation time.
In the final quarter finals match up, The USMNT survived Costa Rica scare to sail through to the last 4 winning the game 4-3 on penalties. The game seems to be an evaluation of coach Mauricio Pochettino and his USMNT side as fans anticipate his sacking if the team fails to win. The former Tottenham Hotspurs manager made some few changes to the team that defeated Haiti 2-1 to finished top of group D.
Costa Rica started in a lightening flash when they were awarded a penalty which was converted in the first 10 minutes of the match, USMNT keep the pressure on until Real Salt Lake talisman, Diego Luna drew the USMNT level in the 43rd minutes.
Max Arfsten who gave away the early penalty put the team Infront with a well-crafted goal in the 47rh minutes. Costa Rica struck back to pegged it at 2-2. Both teams missed chances which could have altered the result, but a penalty kick was used to decide who will join Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala in the last four.
USMNT goalkeeper Matt Fresse showed extraordinary goalkeeping to make several saves that helped the team secure their last four ticket in the CONCCAF Gold Cup.
Earlier, the Canadian were knocked out by Guatemala in another quarter finals clash as both captains missed crucial spot kick in the shootout, but Guatemala prevailed.
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