USMNT edges Saudi Arabia, clinches Gold Cup quarterfinal spot

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas — Defender Chris Richards scored with a flick of the ball off a second-half free kick to lift the United States to a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, sending the Americans on to the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals.

Richards tracked the ball as it flew into the box on a curving free kick from Sebastian Berhalter in the 62nd minute to tap the ball with his left foot past Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aquidi.

The win and the 1-1 draw between Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti in Group D’s other match on Thursday in Houston, clinched a knockout berth for the Americans, who improved to 42-1-5 in group play. The U.S. has won its group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, and closes Group D play on Sunday against Haiti in Arlington, Texas.

Mexico and Costa Rica have also clinched quarterfinal spots through their first two games.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino stuck with the same lineup that produced a 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the first time he made no changes in consecutive matches since taking over the program last October. But playing against No. 58 Saudi Arabia, the 16th-ranked Americans showed little of the attack firepower they displayed against the No. 100 Soca Warriors.

The match saw few real chances on goal by either team. The Americans had just one shot in the first half. The highlight for the U.S. in the opening half was Richards sprinting 25 yards to cover for Alex Freeman’s mistake and make a sliding block of what was going to be a clean look by Abdulrahman Al Obud.

Matt Freese got his second consecutive start in goal for the U.S. and third in four matches as he appears to have displaced Matt Turner.

The Gold Cup represents the last competitive test for the Americans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. As co-host with Mexico and Canada, the U.S. is an automatic qualifier for the World Cup.

The Americans limped into the Gold Cup on a four-match losing streak that included a 4-0 rout by Switzerland in their final tuneup. And with many of the top players either sitting out this tournament for personal reasons, injuries or playing in the Club World Cup, Pochettino selected a roster full of relatively untested and unproven players.

Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest.

The U.S. has won the Gold Cup seven times since its inception in 1991, the most recent being in 2021, second to Mexico’s nine titles.