On a thrilling Thursday night at Austin's Q2 Stadium, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) clinched their spot in the knockout rounds of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the invited Saudi Arabian squad. The match, which kicked off at 9:15 p.m. ET on June 19, showcased a tense battle between two undefeated Group D teams vying for top honors in the group stage.
Coming off an emphatic 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago in their opener, the USMNT faced a stiffer challenge in Saudi Arabia, a team making its Gold Cup debut as a guest nation. The Saudi Arabian side had started strong themselves, edging Haiti 1-0 in their first match thanks to a penalty from Al-Ittihad striker Saleh Al-Shehri.
The game unfolded as a classic test of patience and resilience. The USMNT dominated possession, controlling 72% of the ball, but struggled to break down a disciplined Saudi defense. It wasn’t until the 63rd minute that the deadlock was broken—Sebastian Berhalter delivered a pinpoint free kick from about 35 yards out, perfectly placed into the penalty area. Chris Richards timed his run to perfection, tapping the ball home from seven yards out for what would prove to be the game-winning goal. This marked Richards’ second career goal for the USMNT and his standout performance earned him "man of the match" honors.
Despite the low-scoring affair, the match was far from dull. The USMNT managed only five shots on goal, a stark contrast to their 21 attempts in the previous match, reflecting the challenge Saudi Arabia posed. Saudi Arabia, for their part, had just a single shot on goal, thanks largely to the US defense’s stout effort, including a critical intervention by Richards who thwarted a dangerous Saudi scoring opportunity in the first half.
Tempers flared at times, with a scrum breaking out after Tyler Adams was pushed to the ground. Both coaches, Mauricio Pochettino for the USMNT and Hervé Renard for Saudi Arabia, got involved in calming their players. Yellow cards were issued to Sebastian Berhalter and Saudi players Ziyad Al Johani and Abdulrahman Al Obud, underscoring the intensity of the contest.
The USMNT fielded the same starting eleven as their dominant opener against Trinidad and Tobago, including notable players like goalkeeper Matt Freese, defenders Alex Freeman and Tim Ream, and midfielders Luca de la Torre and Diego Luna. Luna, who made his Gold Cup debut in the tournament opener, has quickly become a key creative force, assisting twice in the 5-0 rout and impressing with his all-around play.
Saudi Arabia, playing in their first Gold Cup after being invited as a guest nation, fielded a strong lineup featuring goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi and their most-capped active player, forward Firas Al-Buraikan. Saleh Al-Shehri, who scored the penalty against Haiti, started on the bench for this match, highlighting the depth of their squad.
The victory improved the USMNT’s record to two wins from two games in Group D, putting them in an excellent position to top the group. Saudi Arabia, with one win and one loss, remain competitive but must regroup ahead of their next group match against Trinidad and Tobago. The USMNT will face Haiti on Sunday, June 22, at 7 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, while Saudi Arabia also takes on Trinidad and Tobago at the same time.
Historically, the USMNT has a favorable record against Saudi Arabia, with three wins, two draws, and two losses across seven meetings. Their last encounter was a goalless friendly in 2022. The Gold Cup itself has been a stage of success for the US, who have won the tournament seven times since its inception in 1991, second only to Mexico’s nine titles.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the 2025 and 2027 Gold Cups was announced by CONCACAF in late 2024, shortly after the nation was selected as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. They join a select group of non-CONCACAF nations invited to compete, including Brazil, Colombia, South Korea, and Qatar.
As the group stage of the Gold Cup progresses, the stakes continue to rise. The USMNT’s disciplined defensive showing and clinical moment from Richards have set the tone for their campaign, as they look to reclaim their status as continental champions after finishing fourth in 2023. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia aims to prove their mettle on North American soil and gain valuable experience ahead of their World Cup hosting duties.
The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup features matches across multiple iconic venues including Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, Glendale’s State Farm Stadium, and Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, culminating in the final on July 6. With the quarterfinals scheduled for June 28-29 and semifinals on July 2, the tournament promises high drama as teams jockey for regional supremacy.
For fans unable to attend, the USMNT vs. Saudi Arabia match was broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 and TUDN, with streaming available on FOXSports.com and FuboTV. For those outside coverage areas, VPN services like ExpressVPN provide access to live streams, ensuring global audiences can follow the action.
As the USMNT prepares for their upcoming clash with Haiti, the team’s blend of youthful energy and tactical discipline offers hope for a deep tournament run. Their ability to grind out results against tough opponents like Saudi Arabia will be crucial as they aim to add an eighth Gold Cup title to their storied history.
