Ice in His Veins: Former Harvard Goalie Matt Freese Secures USA Quarterfinal Win

In a crucial matchup against Costa Rica in Sunday’s Gold Cup quarterfinal, Team USA and former Harvard goalkeeper Matt Freese saved three of the six penalty shots he saw to set up a game winning penalty for the Americans.

After five rounds of penalties saw a three to three holdout, Freese blocked a shot from Costa Rican Andy Rojas to allow the game-winning penalty from 20-year-old Damion Downs.

Freese, who played for the Crimson from 2017-2018, has started all four games for Team USA, who remains undefeated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. The 26-year-old from Pennsylvania has made five appearances in his career for the national squad since being called up on Jun. 7th. After Sunday’s match, his record as starting goalkeeper moved to 4-1.

“Penalties are my thing”, Freese said after the match in an interview with FOX Sports. “On the plane ride over here to Minnesota, I was studying penalties. I’ve been studying them all week and I was ready for it if we needed it.”

Freese was prepared.

On the second penalty from Costa Rica, Freese anticipated a shot to the right and blocked a kick from Juan Pablo Vargas en route to a 2-1 advantage for Team USA after two rounds.

With the teams tied at three penalties apiece, Freese was matched up against Francisco Calvo — who scored on the goalie earlier in the contest — on the first shot of the fifth round. In a stunning decision, Freese decided not to move either direction, instead standing his ground in the center, easily blocking the kick down the middle from the man.

After a missed penalty from the Americans in the fifth round, Freese stepped up again to block Costa Rica’s sixth shot to set up the victory for his squad.

Team USA will compete in the semifinals against Guatemala on Wednesday, marking its 13th straight trip to the final four for the national team and the 17th out of 18 overall. Should the team advance, they will face the winner of Mexico and Honduras in the Gold Cup final on Sunday, July 6th.