US Blanks Saudi Arabia for the quarter -finals

Austin, Texas-Bek Chris Richards scored with a soccer film from the second half-free kick to lift the United States to win 1-0 over Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, sending Americans to the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Richards tracked the ball while flying into a box with a free curved kick from Sebastian in the 62nd minute to knock the ball with his left foot through Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aquidi.

The victory, coupled with a 1-1 draw between Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti in other Group D matches on Thursday in Houston, won the KO for America, which increased to 42-1-5 of all time in group games. The US, who won his group in 16 of 17 golden cups, closed the G group playing Sunday against Haiti in Arlington, Texas.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino was trapped with the same lineup that resulted in a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the first time he had not made changes in successive matches since taking the program in October. But playing against Saudi Arabia No. 58, Americans ranked 16th showing a little of the firing power they showed the Warriors SOCA No. 100.

The match saw several real opportunities in the goal by both teams. America only has one shot in the first round. Richards’ speed to track back to cover Alex Freeman’s mistakes and block shots made Saudi Arabia from a 1-0 advantage.

Matt Freese got a successive start in a successive successively in goal for the US and third in four matches because he seemed to have evacuated Matt Turner.

The Gold Cup represents the last competitive test for America ahead of the 2026 World Cup. As a co-host with Mexico and Canada, the US is an automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Americans limped into the golden cup with a four-match successive defeat including a 4-0 win by Switzerland in their last adjustment. And with many top players sitting in this tournament for personal reasons, injuries or playing in the club World Cup, Pochettino chose a list that is full of players who have not been tested and not proven.

The loss of tournaments for the US is a permanent visitor of Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musur, Weston McKennie, Team Weah, Gio Reyna, Antone Robinson, Folan Balogun and Sergiño Dest.

Initially published: June 19, 2025 at 11:31 PM EDT