New Blood, Old Ghost
Can Costa Rica’s Chaos Undermine the USMNT?
The United States is through the group stage of the 2025 Gold Cup without much fuss. Three wins. Zero panic. Job done. Trinidad and Tobago never had a chance. Saudi Arabia made them work. Haiti gave them a little scare. But here they are, top of Group D, rolling into the knockout rounds with confidence and a bit of swagger.
Now it gets serious. The Americans head to Minneapolis, where the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium practically launches you into the air, to face a Costa Rica team with a familiar name and a very different personality. Miguel Herrera, the former Mexico boss who once punched a reporter after winning a trophy, now leads the Ticos. You can’t make this stuff up.
Costa Rica comes in ranked 54th by FIFA and didn’t exactly waltz their way to this point. They crushed Belize in the prelims, survived a chaotic 4–3 against Suriname, handled the Dominican Republic, and held Mexico to a goalless draw. It’s a group with goals, grit, and just enough unpredictability to cause trouble. And Keylor Navas is back. Yes, that Keylor Navas. At 38, he still has spring-loaded legs and enough presence to change a match.
Herrera’s Costa Rica lines up in a 5-3-2, with defenders who tackle like they mean it and wingbacks who either fly forward or stay home based on his mood. Up top, Manfred Ugalde is the real threat. Eighteen goals in Russia and growing confidence. If he finds space, look out. Behind him, the midfield has some balance. Brandon Aguilera (who may be injured for this match) can ping a pass from anywhere, and Orlando Galo loves breaking up plays and turning defense into attack.
This squad doesn’t lean on the old guard. Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges are gone. The identity is shifting from patient buildup to risk-taking transitions. They’re still figuring it out, but the upside is higher and the volatility is real. And in a tournament setting, that can be dangerous.
Mauricio Pochettino has brought a more measured, possession-heavy identity to the USMNT, often using a 4-2-3-1 that morphs into a 3-2-5 in possession. Think ball progression through control, not chaos. In the group stage, the U.S. leaned on experience down the spine and gave the wide areas to dynamic playmakers.
Chris Richards and Tim Ream anchored the back line with Alex Freeman and probably Max Arfsten pushing forward up the wings. Tyler Adams and/or Johnny Cardoso will sit deep in midfield, acting like two librarians keeping order in transition. Diego Luna will likely be played centrally and dropped into pockets, flanked by Malik Tillman and Jack McGlynn, with Big Pat Agyemang leading the line.
Expect the quarterfinal XI to look familiar with Matt Freese keeping his goalkeeper spot.
The core seems pretty clear. Pochettino trusts balance, not just flair. And this eleven reflects that balance with the ball and without it.
This is the 44th meeting between the two teams, with the US holding a slight edge historically. The last one, a friendly in January, went 3-0 to the Americans. But Gold Cup knockouts aren’t friendlies. They’re pressure cookers.
The US has more talent. That’s not the question. But talent doesn’t win by itself. If the Americans bring intensity and keep the ball moving, they should advance. If they coast, Herrera’s wild bunch could spring a surprise. Kickoff is Sunday night. Buckle up.