After defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Austin on Thursday, the United States men's national team have advanced to the knockout stage of the Gold Cup. They stopped the Saudi Arabia attack from having chances at Matt Freese's net, and Chris Richards continued his excellent season by scoring a goal from a set play, which is only his second ever for the USMNT.
Assisted by Sebastian Berhalter, the son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, Richards was involved at both ends of the pitch during an excellent performance. The USMNT will have wanted more goals, but when the objective is to advance, they've done just that, and most importantly, they didn't concede.
As long as the United States don't lose to Haiti on Sunday, they'll be assured to win the group, but even if they do, Saudi Arabia will have to overcome a difference of six goals to win the group.
The USMNT held Saudi Arabia to only three shots in the entire match, and only one of those tested Matt Freese in net. The United States were also efficient with their chances to defeat the toughest team in the group. Now, with the USMNT set for knockouts after their last group game, coach Mauricio Pochettino can rotate the squad, especially since striker Haji Wright missed the match with an injury and Damion Downs also had to be withdrawn after making his debut for the national team.
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Richards is already someone who would be looked at to anchor the defense in 2026 for the World Cup, but performances like this one show how much he has grown. Coming off a season where he won the FA Cup to qualify for the Europa League with Crystal Palace, he had critical defensive interventions, put two shots on target, and also scored to push the USMNT through.
The adjustments that he and the national team made after a poor first half of play went a long way to ensuring that they got the result, and he's someone who has improved his stock despite it already being high coming in.
The midfield will still have work to do, but despite them not having a shining performance, they also didn't do anything to lose the game for the team, which is also important in these competitions. It's not always pretty, but as long as the results come, things are going in the right direction as there is now some momentum for a side that truly lacked it just over a week ago.
The USMNT has now advanced from the group stage in all 18 editions of the tournament after a strong performance from Chris Richards. The team withstood chances from Saudi Arabia and accomplished the goal of advancing. Now they'll have a chance to rotate facing Haiti on Sunday.
After a bright debut for the USMNT, he'll have to be subbed off for Walker Zimmerman after receiving treatment. Haji Wright has also missed the match due to an injury and it is straining the USMNT attacking corps.
Diego Luna will leave being on a yellow card as Aaronson picks up his 50th cap for the USMNT and can bring fresh legs into the match.
This time he's coming up on the defensive end, stopping Saudi Arabia in an important moment. Coming off an excellent season for Crystal Palace, Richards is turning that into an excellent summer for the USMNT.
It's Chris Richards! He was already knocking on the door and has now scored his second ever goal for the USMNT after being assisted by Sebastian Berhalter. It's a close one so this is going to be reviewed.
In the second half, the USMNT has been creating more, and Chris Richards got a shot on target. They still need to put everything together but this is a positive start where things are looking more like the USMNT will be the next team to score.
The USMNT will roll out the team that they started with to give the starters a chance to turn the tide but changes could be coming soon if they don't find a goal.
It's still scoreless in Austin as the USMNT struggled to create space facing a tough Saudi Arabia defense. They will have time to make changes at the half but the opportunities to win the game will be there.
It would be great if the USMNT could get a goal before the break, but they've limited Saudi Arabia's chances in the match so far.
The USMNT hasn't had many chances so far, but left back Max Arfsten has almost played as a winger with how much space he has had in the match. The USMNT will hope to turn that into a goal eventually, as 32 minutes in, there's still no score.
Firas Al-Buraikan was able to find some space and test Freese in net in the first chance of what has been a tight match so far.
It has been a slow buildup in the match but with impressive pressing the USMNT was able to gain possession and win a corner. They didn't score from the chance but it is at least something to build on in the early going in the match.
Both teams have gone in for some hard tackles, setting the tone early. The USMNT doesn't have as much space as they did facing Trinidad and Tobago, but they'll have chances here.
The USMNT will be ready to go in Austin for this critical match.
The USMNT will keep things moving in the right direction with another victory after going ahead in the first half. Saudi Arabia will have their chances but Freese will do enough in net to keep things in check during the clash. Pick: USMNT 2, Saudi Arabia 0
Max Arfsten, USMNT: In previous tournaments, the only trusted backup to Antonee Robinson has been Sergino Dest playing out of position at left back. Not only is that not possible during the Gold Cup with Dest not in the squad, but a new option may be emerging in the Columbus Crew man Max Arfsten. He's had a bit of a run since Pochettino took over the USMNT, but with two assists versus Trinidad and Tobago, Arfsten was able to show what he can bring.
The USMNT and Saudi Arabia haven't met since a friendly in 2022 as a lead-up to the World Cup. The duo played to a 0-0 draw, which was a fair result considering their performances, but for the USMNT, the squad looks quite different for this clash. Matt Turner, Walker Zimmerman, Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie and Tillman are the only players who appeared in the match who are even on this squad, and there's a chance that Tillman could be the only one to start this match. After his brace in the opening fixture for the USMNT, Tillman will be looking to add to that in this one.
Win a game 5-0 and there's no reason to make changes as Pochettino will roll out the same squad.
Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter, Luca de la Torre, Jack McGlynn, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, Patrick Agyemang
The goal is simple, if the USMNT wins tonight, they'll be through to the knockouts of the Concacaf Gold Cup. With Mauricio Pochettino naming an unchanged side, it's a moment for each of these players to show why they deserve to be in the World Cup squad, facing tougher opposition in Saudi Arabia.
