The U.S. didn't get many clean looks at goal, but Richards made the most of it when he did, scoring game-winner in 63rd minute
AUSTIN, Texas – Not every game is going to be an instant classic. You can't always win 5-0, can't always score a stunning goal that will live on forever in the memories of all who saw it. Sometimes tight games can be decided by just one moment of quality, and something that looks ugly suddenly reveals its beauty.
That was what happened Thursday between the U.S. men's national team and Saudi Arabia.
Nobody will file this one under classic, but the USMNT still managed to escape Austin's Q2 Stadium with a narrow, but deserved, 1-0 win, and with it, advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Gold Cup.
There were few real chances and even fewer moments of actual soccer, as both teams labored through what turned into an sluggish game. Saudi Arabia were just fine with that, totally content to pack the middle. That was their plan all along: frustrate, delay and turn this into a game of moments, not a track meet.
They were daring the USMNT to find a way to beat them.
After several rounds of beating their heads against the proverbial wall, the "somehow" finally came in the 63rd minute, when Chris Richards was able to score off a Sebastian Berhalter set piece, sliding the ball into the back of the net.
It was Richards' second career goal – and first in more than two years – and it felt like a big one as it sealed three points and guaranteed spot in the knockout rounds. Mexico and Costa Rica have also clinched quarterfinal spots.
“Man, I don't even know, I just saw I saw the ball coming in my way, and I figured I needed to get something on it,” Richards said on FOX after the game. “It was a great delivery and I just had to do what I had to do… It was a tough game, a tough opponent, props to them. But that’s CONCACAF for you – sometimes you've got to get physical, sometimes you've got to get nasty. I think that's exactly what we did tonight.”
The USMNT have now advanced past the group in all 18 editions of the tournament, and only once failed to reach the semifinals – in 2000 when they lost to Colombia in a penalty shootout. The U.S. have won the Gold Cup seven times – in 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2021. Mexico has won the tournament nine times, including in 2023.
Richards was a deserved scorer, having been one of the standout players throughout due to his contributions on both ends of the field, throwing his body all over the pitch to keep the USMNT alive throughout.
"You know, there's not so many amazing moments, but sometimes you have to play games like that where you have to find that that one moment where we're going to break them down and be able to score a goal," Tyler Adams said. "And Chris obviously scored a great piece. Sebastian Berhalter, obviously, with an amazing set piece. So good at set pieces. And everyone was just out there competing for one another."
Sometimes, all it takes is a set-piece finish from a center-back, one of the foundational sequences of this sport. It isn't pretty, but it's enough, especially in a tournament setting. After losing four straight games entering this tournament, the USMNT have back-to-back Gold Cup wins, and – with one more group stage game Sunday night against Haiti – they'll leave Austin with their mission accomplished.
GOAL rates USMNT's players from Q2 Stadium.
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defense
Matt Freese (6/10):
Was called on to make one save on his near post in the first half, which was about the same amount of effort he had to put into the entire Gold Cup opener.
Max Arfsten (7/10):
Very lively in the first half, headlined by a fancy flick deep in his own half. Had more freedom than Freeman on the other side and he did have a few dangerous forays forward, particularly early.
Tim Ream (6/10):
Was so often the safety net, recycling the ball to when the U.S. couldn't get through the defense, so he wound up with a lot of passes. Didn't have to do much else, in truth.
Chris Richards (9/10):
Made the biggest defensive play in the first half and nearly got a goal early in the second. That goal did come later, solidifying a clear Man of the Match award for the central defender.
Alex Freeman (6/10):
Had one big misstep as he jumped in for an interception, only to see the ball slip by to a running winger. Otherwise, did fine in a more defensive role than we're used to seeing with Orlando City.
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Luca de la Torre (6/10):
Did well on the ball, but wasn't really dynamic enough to help the U.S. break through a very clogged midfield. Taken out midway through the second half as a result.
Sebastian Berhalter (7/10):
Struggled a bit in the first half, but more than made up for it with his fantastic set piece on the goal. It could be a breakthrough moment for him in his third senior cap.
Malik Tillman (5/10):
Through little fault of his own, he struggled to find the game throughout. With Saudi Arabia clogging the middle, there was just so little room for Tillman to operate, which meant few chances for him to get on the ball.
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Diego Luna (6/10):
Probably his quietest game in a USMNT shirt, but that's largely due to how loud he's been otherwise. Was just unable to really find space to operate with the opposition so bunkered in.
Patrick Agyemang (6/10):
Had a few moments in which he was able to break loose and threaten the defense, but didn't have the quality to turn those moments into chances. It seemed as if he'd get through for one good look eventually, but it never came.
Jack McGlynn (6/10):
A bit unfair to him to have to come off early, but the U.S. just needed something else out wide. Even so, he did create the USMNT's best look of the first half with a fantastic ball across the face of goal.
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Tyler Adams (6/10):
Good to see him back after a foot injury limited him throughout the last week. Will be huge for the U.S. to have him ready for the knockouts.
Damion Downs (6/10):
Almost got through on goal once, but was tackled before he could really get a good look.
Brenden Aaronson (6/10):
Came on with 15 minutes ago to get fresh legs onto the field. With the U.S. already leading and pretty content, there weren't many chances to make an impact on the attacking end.
Miles Robinson (N/A):
Was brought in for the game's final moments to see things out from a defensive point of view.
Johnny Cardoso (N/A):
Same as above. Not much to be done before the final whistle.
Mauricio Pochettino (6/10):
He probably couldn't have predicted just how defensive Saudi Arabia would be, which led to a pretty unattactive game. He made tweaks throughout to try and open things up, but he'll be pleased to have seen a set-piece goal, given how hard it was to get any of those tweaks to work.