A goal from Chris Richards proved to be enough for the United States men’s national team as they secured a win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday night in Austin, Texas, to move themselves into the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup.
On a humid night at Q2 Stadium, the Americans were looking to maintain their momentum after a dominant 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. However, the Green Falcons would be a very different opponent, so the approach to the game would come differently than a few days ago.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino kept the same lineup for his 4-2-3-1 formation in the first half, in which neither side had any threatening chances for goals. Patrick Agyemang had the best opportunities for the team to break the scoreless deadlock near halftime when he could reach for Max Arsten’s cross from the left side. The center-forward then headed the ball from Jack McGlynn’s cross, but Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi saved it.
After a dour first half, the U.S. tried to pick things up. Richards gave his team an excellent chance in the 53rd minute when he came into contact with McGlynn’s corner kick, but his header went directly into the hands of Al Aqidi.
The center-back got another chance in the 63rd minute and made it count as he ran onto Sebastian Berhalter’s free kick over the sea of green shirts and flicked the ball into the back of the net. There was a call that Richards may have been offside before the goal, but video review confirmed that it was good.
Despite the lack of attacking opportunities, the U.S. did all they could to book their ticket into the quarterfinals of the cup.
The Americans will finish play in Group D on Sunday when they face Haiti in Arlington, Texas.
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