In a thrilling 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup showdown, the USA and Costa Rica battled to a penalty-kick shootout, which the USA ultimately won after three miraculous saves by keeper Matt Freese. That decisive performance echoes a lesson that applies to the markets as well as it does to the soccer pitch.
Research from the Bundesliga (German Pro Soccer League) shows 15% of players shoot penalty kicks down the middle, yet only 2% of goalkeepers stay put—even though standing still doubles the chance of a save. “Action bias” drives people to act for the sake of acting, even when inaction would be wiser. Investors face an identical impulse during market volatility. Selling in response to short term losses may feel proactive, but history shows staying invested is the better strategy. Just as goalkeepers improve their odds by holding their ground, investors strengthen long term outcomes by resisting emotional decisions and maintaining discipline.
