The USMNT found itself in a hole early when Costa Rica converted a penalty in the 11th minute after Arfsten lunged toward Kenneth Vargas, tackling him in the box.

While the US did well to press high and keep the ball in Costa Rica’s half, they struggled to turn that ball-dominance into shots on goal. But then, the US got a penalty of their own.

USMNT wins penalty-kick thriller over Costa Rica in Gold Cup quarterfinal Matt Freese makes three saves in the shootout, and Damion Downs scores the decisive sixth-round kick in a 4-3 shootout ...

Up until those points, Arfsten had been the most maligned member of a struggling USMNT. His clumsy 10th-minute tackle had gifted Costa Rica a penalty, and an early lead.

After Max Arfsten gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead in the 47th minute with his first international goal, Costa Rica tied it in the 71st when Alonso Martinez scored on the rebound after his New York City ...

Matt Freese makes three saves in the shootout, and Damion Downs scores the decisive sixth-round kick in a 4-3 shootout after a 2-2 draw to send the U.S. past Costa Rica United States players celebrate ...

Costa Rica defender Juan Pablo Vargas Campos reacts after missing a shot during a penalty kick shootout of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against the United States, Sunday, June 29 ...