A Study In Winning: Matt Freese's Harvard Days Helped The U.S. Take A Big Step

MINNEAPOLIS — Matt Freese went into Sunday’s penalty shootout against Costa Rica fully understanding the stakes.

If the U.S. goalkeeper wanted to give his team a chance to win the match and advance to Wednesday’s Gold Cup semifinal against Guatemala, he knew he’d have to outperform legendary Ticos backstop Keylor Navas, a three-time UEFA Champions League winner and perhaps the most decorated player in Concacaf history.

"He's one of the best in the history of the world and to share that pitch with him was very special," Freese said after making three saves in the tiebreaker to help the Americans advance following a 2-2 draw. "But yeah, in the moment, I'm not really thinking about that."

What the Harvard-educated Freese was thinking about, somewhere in the recesses of his mind, was a lengthy research project he did while in college. The subject? Penalty kicks.

"To be able to rely on that type of thing and deal with a lot of statistics, read the game and read their hips and things like that, is massive," Freese said.

It ended up being massive for Mauricio Pochettino’s team, too. After Freese made an error that cost his side a goal in the group stage finale against Haiti, it would’ve been easy for the U.S. coach to sit him in favor of the far more experienced Matt Turner, the longtime No. 1 and 2022 World Cup starter.

But Turner barely played for English club Crystal Palace last season, and the coach wanted to give another keeper a chance this summer. So Pochettino stuck with the in-form New York City FC custodian, the man who’s been in goal all tournament. He was rewarded when it mattered most.

"Any keeper can make a mistake; the most important [thing] is to make a decision and translate the confidence and trust,"