‘We would have liked this’: Richards keys U.S. males as Gold Cup knockouts await

The U.S. males’s nationwide group is into the Gold Cup quarterfinals. 

In its second group stage match of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, the USMNT beat Saudi Arabia with a 1-0 outcome on Thursday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

After a cagey first half, U.S. defender Chris Richards broke a scoreless impasse with slightly below a half hour remaining to offer the People their second consecutive victory on the event. 

Chris Richards scores off a set piece, giving United States a 1-0 lead over Saudi Arabia

“We would have liked it tonight,” Richards instructed FOX Sports activities’ Jenny Taft following the match. “It was a troublesome recreation towards a troublesome opponent … generally you gotta get bodily. Typically you gotta get nasty. I believe that is precisely what we did.”

Mixed with the Group D tie between Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago earlier within the day, the three factors have been sufficient to make sure that the U.S. males will advance to the quarterfinals of the 16-team regional championship. 

Listed here are three fast ideas on the match.

U.S. takes care of enterprise 

It did not come as simply because the 5-0 throttling of T&T in Sunday’s tourney opener, however the hosts received three factors nonetheless. Coach Mauricio Pochettino went with the identical startling lineup for the second consecutive match, and whereas the U.S. struggled to generate scoring probabilities – it took 44 minutes earlier than Patrick Agyemang recorded the USMNT’s first shot – their endurance and dedication defensively warrants reward. 

Pochettino’s aspect managed the final half-hour expertly. This group’s confidence is clearly rising. Clinching development with a recreation to spare will give the Argentine supervisor the leeway to rotate a number of gamers earlier than the knockout section begins. Tyler Adams (turf toe) and Johnny Cardoso (sickness) did not gown for the primary recreation; each got here off the bench within the second half and can absolutely play a much bigger position afterward.

Richards a becoming hero 

Throughout a summer season when this aspect is controversially lacking Christian Pulisic and several other different lineup regulars, Richards has emerged as a key chief. So it was becoming that the Crystal Palace center-back was entrance and heart when the sport’s pivotal second arrived early within the second half off a pinpoint free-kick supply from teen Sebastian Berhalter.

“I simply noticed the ball coming my approach, and I figured I wanted to get one thing on it,” Richards stated. “It was an important supply.” 

Richards was very good on the opposite finish of the sector, too, serving to the People preserve a second straight clear sheet. 

Pochettino’s aspect cannot let up now

After a number of weeks of off-field drama and poor outcomes, this squad is slowly constructing its confidence. They mustn’t loosen up now, although: Successful the subsequent one towards the Haitians would assure high spot within the group and a extra favorable quarterfinal matchup – and preserve the momentum rolling as properly.

Saudi Arabia vs. United States Concacaf Gold Cup Highlights | FOX Soccer

Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities who has lined United States males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Observe him @ByDougMcIntyre.

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