USMNT grinds way by Saudi Arabia into Gold Cup knockout stage
AUSTIN, Texas — Center back Chris Richards made two sliding plays on either side of halftime — the first stopped a shot on a dangerous transition to keep the game scoreless and the second finished off an inch-perfect free kick – to lift the U.S. to a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday night in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
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The result sent the U.S. through to the tournament quarterfinals, though the group finale vs. Haiti on Sunday will determine if the Americans go through in first or second place in the group.
Richards' finish saved the U.S. in what was otherwise a listless appearance in front of a barren home crowd at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium. The lackluster environment is only the latest instance of what seems to be a real apathy around a team that will host the World Cup in less than a year. The U.S. played in front of empty crowds at the Concacaf Nations League in Los Angeles in March. The group opener on Sunday in San Jose was not a sellout either.
It is a lack of excitement caused as much by high ticket prices as the general performance of the team.
On the field, Thursday's win gave the U.S. back-to-back victories for the first time since January camp. Results otherwise have left plenty to be desired. The American team has failed to excited fans or generate much enthusiasm or momentum.
This Gold Cup is a chance to reverse that. But Mauricio Pochettino's side needed to get results to start to build belief that it was headed in the right direction. The one-goal win over the Saudi did provide the result, if not necessarily the style points.
The U.S. tilted play through the left side and Max Arfsten in the first half, but the Columbus Crew wingback struggled to do much with his opportunities. The U.S. lost possession 60 times in the first half, per TruMedia, and Arfsten was responsible for 15 of those changeovers.
Saudi Arabia, a guest nation in Concacaf's championship, had the best chances of the first stanza. Richards made a fantastic tackle in the 31s minute, sprinting back and making a last-ditch slide tackle to block Abdulrahman Al-Obood's effort and keep the game scoreless.
OH MY 😳
What a tackle by Chris Richards 😤🔥@USMNT pic.twitter.com/dRwfdJ4uoS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2025
The U.S. worked possession looking for ways to break Saudi down, but created very little of note through the first hour of the game. Then right back Alex Freeman earned a free kick when he was fouled cutting centrally with the ball in the 62nd minute.
Sebastian Berhalter, the son of former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, who once spent a season on loan with Austin FC, stood over the free kick and served a low curling ball into the box, where Richards slid with his leg outstretched to direct the ball home.
GOOOAAAL FOR THE @USMNT! 🇺🇸
Chris Richards scores off the set piece! 👏 pic.twitter.com/tvQbB6DBkq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2025
It was an important moment from the Crystal Palace veteran, who has been charged with being one of the leaders on this younger, inexperienced U.S. team.
The U.S. will close out group play on Sunday against Haiti at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with that result, coupled with Mexico and Costa Rica's Group A finale, determining the quarterfinal matchups.
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