Alexi Lalas has shared his insights on the United States' recent penalty kick victory and what to expect as they head into the Gold Cup Semifinals against Guatemala. Lalas joined Colin Cowherd on "The Herd" to discuss the USMNT's thrilling win over Costa Rica and analyze their prospects for advancing to the final.

Lalas acknowledged the "feel-good moment" for the team following the penalty shootout win but cautioned against excessive celebration. He pointed out that while it's right to celebrate, it's important not to overestimate the victory against what he considers an "average Costa Rica team". He highlighted that reaching the semifinals has been a recurring achievement for the United States.

Lalas expressed his initial disappointment with the team's performance in the first half against Costa Rica. However, he noted a positive change in urgency and response after halftime, attributing it to the coach Mauricio Pochettino's influence.

A key talking point was the performance of goalkeeper Matt Freese. Freese's performance was described as "epic" with three saves in the penalty shootout. Lalas emphasized that Freese "deserved" to start the game and praised Pochettino for trusting him and giving him the chance to redeem himself after a previous error. He also made important saves during the game. Lalas suggested that Freese's display has opened up the competition for the goalkeeper position, potentially challenging Matt Turner, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching.

Damion Downs' decisive penalty kick was also a highlight. Downs, who had been sidelined with an early injury in the tournament, came on late in the game and secured the win. Lalas noted that it was the first time in the tournament that he saw real personality from Matt Freeze.

Looking ahead to the semifinals, Lalas shared his thoughts on the squad's mentality, key performers, and what it will take for the U.S. to advance. The USMNT is set to face Guatemala in the semifinals in St Louis. Lalas has also recently ranked his top USMNT players at the Gold Cup.

Lalas' analysis also touched on Canada's exit from the Gold Cup, which he described as a "failure of Jesse Marsch". He suggested that this outcome could prompt the Canadian soccer federation to reconsider their direction, especially with the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Overall, Lalas' analysis provides a balanced perspective on the USMNT's progress, acknowledging their recent success while urging them to maintain perspective and focus as they move forward in the Gold Cup.