06/19/25 10:23:00
Printable Page
06/19 22:22 CDT Richards' 2nd-half goal lifts US over Saudi Arabia 1-0 and
into CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals
Richards' 2nd-half goal lifts US over Saudi Arabia 1-0 and into CONCACAF Gold
Cup quarterfinals
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) --- 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 win over Saudi
Arabia on Thursday night, sending the Americans on to the CONCACAF Gold Cuo
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 Thursday in Houston, clinched a knockout berth for the Americans,
who improved to 42 wins, one loss and five draws 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 at Arlington, Texas.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino stuck with the same lineup that produced a 5-0
win over 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. Richards' speed to track back to cover for Alex
Freeman's mistake and block a shot kept Saudi Arabia from a 1-0 lead.
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 tune-up. 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 Sergio Dest,
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
|