If the Concacaf Gold Cup was meant to be a testing ground for an inexperienced version of the U.S. men's national team, Sunday's quarterfinal against Costa Rica was a very trying examination. It was not only the fact that it was the first win-or-go-home game for this group,

United States goalkeeper Matthew Freese said he was well prepared and studied up for penalties after providing three saves in a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory over Costa Rica in Sunday's Gold Cup quarterfinal.