Jun 19, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; United States of America midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) and Saudi Arabia midfielder Ziyad Aljohani (16) battle for the ball within the second half throughout a gaggle stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Q2 Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Scott Wachter-Imagn Photographs The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce used Chris Richards’ 63rd-minute objective to clinch a berth within the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in a Group D match in Austin, Texas, on Thursday.
The People (2-0-0, 6 factors) can safe first place within the group with a win or a draw on Sunday in opposition to Haiti in Arlington, Texas. They’ve a plus-six objective distinction over the second place Saudis (1-1-0, 3 factors), who face Trinidad & Tobago in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Mexico and Costa Rica have additionally clinched quarterfinal spots.
Richards, who saved a possible objective within the first half, used his left foot to redirect a free kick by Sebastian Berhalter. The son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter earned his first profession help in his fourth match.
For Richards, it was his second objective in 27 matches. Then defender’s first got here June 18, 2023, in opposition to Canada.
Matt Freese in his third match made one save for his second straight shutout.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino used the identical neophyte lineup from the 5-0 win in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago. Eight of the 11 starters had been 25 or youthful and averaged 16 appearances, seven in official competitors.
It was a irritating first half from the People’ perspective. In response to OptaJack, solely 9 of 424 touches had been within the field because the U.S. was both unwilling or unable to assault the protection.
It was ironic as a result of a lot of the play ran down the left flank to Max Arfsten, whose Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy preaches “possession with a objective.”
There was little objective. That is why it took till the forty fifth minute to register a shot on objective when the delicate header by Patrick Agyemang was simply gathered by Nawaf Al-Aqidi
The spotlight for the USMNT within the opening half was Richards monitoring 25 yards to make a sliding block of what was going to be a clear look by Abdulrahman Al Obud.
The U.S. has gained the Gold Cup seven occasions since its inception in 1991, the newest being in 2021, second to Mexico’s 9 titles.
–Area Stage Media
