A Calm and Calculated Victory in Austin
The U.S. Men’s National Team just punched their ticket to the knockout rounds of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a narrow—but gritty—1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia Thursday night in Austin, Texas. It wasn't flashy. It wasn’t explosive like their opening game against Trinidad & Tobago. But it was disciplined, focused, and enough to keep the Yanks undefeated in Group D.
The winning goal? Oh, it was something special. A real moment of class.
Cue the Highlight Reel: Berhalter to Richards
Let’s talk about the magic moment: Minute 63. The game was stuck in a scoreless grind, but Sebastian Berhalter said enough is enough. From about 35 yards out, Berhalter delivered an absolute dime of a free kick—picture-perfect. You couldn’t have walked the ball into the box any better. Chris Richards, timing his run with surgical precision, darted into the box and met the ball with the inside of his foot just seven yards from goal. Boom. Net. Crowd roars.
That wasn’t just any goal. That was Richards' second-ever goal for the USMNT—and it might just be one of the most important ones of the tournament so far.
The Setup: What Happened Before the Breakthrough
Let’s not sugarcoat it—this wasn’t a dominating display like Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Trinidad & Tobago. In fact, the U.S. had only five shots in total, compared to the 21 they racked up in their opener. Possession felt more balanced, and Saudi Arabia came to play defensively. They weren’t about to give the Americans an easy path.
But this wasn’t the same Saudi squad that shocked the world in the 2022 World Cup either. With just 43% possession and barely a whimper in front of goal, they couldn’t muster a single shot after the 63rd-minute goal. The U.S., on the other hand, adapted. They took the lead, then dropped back and locked it down.
Lockdown Mode: U.S. Defends the Lead
Once the Yanks went up 1-0, they shifted gears. Out went the high press, in came a compact defensive shape and a counter-attacking mindset. The plan was simple: frustrate the Saudis and wait for them to make a mistake. It worked.
Saudi Arabia had no answer. No final-third creativity. No attacking spark. And the U.S. defense, anchored by Tim Ream and Chris Richards, made sure to shut down whatever came their way.
Fun fact? That Richards goal was also the last shot of the entire game. That’s how tight things were down the stretch.
USMNT Lineup and Player Spotlight
Here’s who started for the U.S.:
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Freese
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Freeman, Richards, Ream, Arfsten
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De la Torre, Berhalter, Tillman
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McGlynn, Luna, Agyemang
One name you should circle in red? Diego Luna. The creative midfielder continues to make a statement this tournament. Though he didn’t notch an assist or a goal Thursday night, his ability to pick apart tight defenses was still on display.
And let’s not forget Malik Tillman—two goals against Trinidad & Tobago and a strong midfield presence in both games. He and Luna are making a serious case to stay in the conversation for the 2026 World Cup roster—even when regulars like Pulisic and McKennie are back.
Saudi Arabia's Missed Chance
Saudi Arabia, the only guest team in this year’s tournament, came into this match off a 1-0 win over Haiti. That win came courtesy of veteran striker Saleh Al-Shehri, who buried a penalty in the 21st minute. Al-Shehri remains their most dangerous weapon, with 17 international goals to his name.
But against the U.S., their creativity evaporated. They played deep, couldn’t get past midfield with purpose, and left Al-Shehri stranded for most of the game.
What the Numbers Say
If you’re a stats junkie, here's the rundown:
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Possession: U.S. 57%, Saudi Arabia 43%
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Shots: U.S. 5, Saudi Arabia 0 (yup, zero!)
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xG: U.S. 0.72, Saudi Arabia 0.05
And here's a golden nugget from the U.S.'s previous game: against T&T, they not only scored five but did it with a 3.48 xG while holding 70% possession. That’s elite-level attacking execution.
Looking Ahead: USMNT vs Haiti
Next up for the U.S. is a Sunday night showdown against Haiti at 7 PM ET. Haiti will be fighting for survival, and the Americans will be looking to lock down the top spot in Group D. Expect rotation in the squad, maybe a chance for some bench guys to get minutes, but don’t be surprised if Luna and Tillman feature again—they’ve earned it.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will face Trinidad & Tobago at the same time. With both teams desperate for points, that match could be wild.
How to Watch USMNT Matches
If you’re trying to catch the action:
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Kickoff Time: 9:15 PM ET (for the last match)
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TV: FS1, TUDN
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Streaming: FOXSports.com or the FOX Sports app
So grab your popcorn and maybe a cold one—this Gold Cup ride is heating up.
Final Word: The Grit Behind the Glory
Sometimes it’s not about running up the score or lighting up the highlight reel. Sometimes it’s about digging in, staying focused, and taking your chances when they come. That’s exactly what the USMNT did against Saudi Arabia.
Berhalter’s pin-perfect assist, Richards’ killer finish, and the team’s defensive composure sent a message: this isn’t just a flashy young squad—they’ve got grit. With two wins out of two, they’re through to the next stage. And if they keep building on this momentum, the Gold Cup might just have “stars and stripes” engraved on it again.
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