Malik Tillman's toughness a big part of USMNT surviving against Costa Rica

Throughout the Gold Cup, Malik Tillman has been the biggest difference-maker for the USMNT. With an unproven striker and the team's most established playmakers not on the Gold Cup roster, Tillman has stepped up as both a goal scorer and a playmaker.

During Sunday's quarterfinal against Costa Rica, it was true again. But on a day when he also missed a pivotal penalty late in the first half, it was his toughness and resiliency that helped push the USMNT to the semifinals.

From the start of the game, Tillman was a marked man. Costa Rica clearly scouted the U.S. well and knew they had to take Tillman out of the game. At times, they almost literally took him out of the game. Tillman absorbed one hard challenge after another. Fox commentators John Strong and Stu Holden repeatedly mentioned the bruises Tillman would have in the morning. At several times, Tillman stayed on the ground after taking a hit and got up limping. At several moments, it was easy to doubt whether Tillman would be able to play all 90 minutes.

Tillman's mental toughness was also tested. He took a harsh tackle that was ultimately awarded as a penalty following a video review. Chosen to take the penalty, Tillman hit the post, failing to tie the game after the U.S. fell behind early.

Admittedly, after the missed penalty, Tillman's body language was far from ideal. He looked like a 23-year-old who was a little out of his depth as the marquee player at a major international tournament.

But how it changed after halftime.

With the USMNT trailing at the half, Tillman had the secondary assist on the equalizer, playing a perfect long ball to Max Arfsten, who got the assist on Diego Luna's goal. A few minutes later, Tillman played another perfectly weighted ball to Arfsten for the go-ahead goal. For the rest of the game, Tillman continued to show the work rate on both ends of the field that has made him such a vital part of the USMNT all tournament.

Tillman's last display of toughness came in the penalty shootout that sent the U.S. to the semifinals after giving up a late equalizer. After missing a penalty earlier in the game, Tillman was tasked with taking another one against Costa Rica's legendary goalie Keylor Navas. A lesser player would have succumbed to the pressure, but Tillman finished confidently, ultimately enabling the U.S. to win the penalty shootout and advance.

Of course, Sunday's win was a team effort for the U.S. Matt Freese played the role of hero in the penalty shootout with three massive saves. Luna was equally important as Tillman throughout the game, scoring a goal, making plays all over the field, and showing off a brilliant first touch. Arfsten also deserves credit for contributing a goal and an assist, even if both goals the U.S. conceded were largely his fault.

But even with others to share the credit, it was Tillman setting the tone. He personified the toughness it took to overcome an early deficit, survive a tense conclusion to the 2-2 draw, and advance in a penalty shootout against a goalie with Navas' track record. After all the rough tackles and the mental challenge of missing a penalty, Tillman persevered and led the way for the USMNT. It wasn't his best performance, but given all that he overcame, it may have been the most important and impressive 90 minutes of his international career.