Following a strong performance in the group stage of the Concacaf Gold Cup, the U.S. Men`s National Team, led by Mauricio Pochettino, enters the knockout rounds with the goal of reclaiming the title from Mexico. Their next challenge is a familiar opponent, Costa Rica. The objective remains advancing to the semifinals to potentially face the winner of the Canada vs. Guatemala match for a place in the final.
The USMNT defense will face a stern test against Costa Rican strikers Manfred Ugalde and Alonso Martinez, both reportedly in good form. This challenge is welcomed by Pochettino as he evaluates players for the 2026 World Cup squad, requiring them to be tested against quality opposition like Costa Rica. While the U.S. attack has been effective so far in the Gold Cup, the defense has shown occasional vulnerabilities. The knockout stage provides an opportune moment to improve defensive solidity.
Match Details
The match is scheduled for Sunday, June 29, with kickoff at 7 p.m. ET. It will take place at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and will be broadcast on FOX.
Last Meeting
The teams last met in January during a USMNT training camp, where the U.S. secured a 2-0 victory against a less-experienced Costa Rican side. Several MLS players who participated in that camp, including Jack McGlynn, Diego Luna, Brian White, and Patrick Agyemang, are part of the current Gold Cup squad facing Costa Rica`s full-strength team. This provides Pochettino with a direct comparison of their progress since January.
Predicted Lineups
Below are the predicted starting lineups for both teams:
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
Player to Watch
Manfred Ugalde, the 23-year-old Costa Rican striker, is a key player to watch. He`s coming off a productive season with Spartak Moscow (17 goals) and has generated significant transfer interest. Ugalde has already scored three goals and provided an assist in the Gold Cup. While he was contained against Mexico, a strong showing against the USMNT would further elevate his profile, potentially leading to a move to a larger European club. His performance will also serve as a valuable test for the USMNT defense, aiding their development.
Storyline to Watch
A notable storyline surrounding the USMNT camp is the potential impact of off-pitch distractions. Several players, including Malik Tillman (linked to Bayer Leverkusen), Patrick Agyemang (linked to Derby County), and Johnny Cardoso (rumored with Atletico Madrid, though potentially injured), have been subject to transfer speculation during the tournament. While the players state they are focused on the matches, thinking about life-changing career moves can be challenging. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has also been linked to the Brentford job, though he has denied those rumors. Managing these external factors could be difficult. A victory would help the team put these distractions aside, whereas a struggle might allow the noise to persist.
Prediction
Costa Rica has shown improvement and is likely to find the back of the net. However, the USMNT attack has been a bright spot in the tournament, particularly with Malik Tillman in good form. The U.S. should score enough goals to secure advancement to the semifinals, continuing their pursuit of the Gold Cup title. Prediction: USMNT 2, Costa Rica 1.
