A Defensive Battle in Austin Ends With USMNT on Top
If you tuned in expecting fireworks in Austin, you probably found yourself watching through your fingers, hoping for any spark of creativity. That just didn’t happen in the first half. Both teams seemed locked in a chess match, with USMNT looking oddly out of sync and Saudi Arabia planting their entire squad behind the ball.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino stuck with his winning lineup from the Trinidad & Tobago match but gave a chance to Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, and Damion Downs on the bench. It felt like the kind of game that needed a flash of brilliance—or a mistake.
Saudi Arabia didn’t make things easier. They came in missing their midfield anchor Salem Al Dawsari, as well as Nasser Al Dawsari, Hassan Tambakti, and Mohammed Kano—all mainstays from powerhouse club Al Hilal. Without these big names, their approach was simple: make it ugly, keep it tight, and hope the USMNT caught a case of frustration.
Richards Steps Up When It Matters
Chris Richards looked hungry early in the second half, nearly heading in from close range before finally breaking down the defensive wall. His goal—a controlled left-footed volley after a teasing delivery from Sebastian Berhalter—was exactly what the US team needed. The stadium erupted, and you could see relief bloom across US faces.
The set piece that led to the goal wasn’t flashy. But in a match where creativity was hard to find, basics did the job. Richards’ stock keeps rising; he’s getting a reputation as a defender who can deliver when it counts.
Alex Freeman, meanwhile, had a rough go as right center-back, but Pochettino’s halftime switch saw him pushed wider. That tweak freed up Jack McGlynn to do what he does best: orchestrate from the center and push the ball forward. The shift in shape made the US more fluid and finally started opening passing lanes.
The win didn’t just bring three points. It sent the USMNT to their 18th straight Gold Cup quarterfinal, topping Group D with two wins from two matches. Some would call the performance ‘ugly, tense, and frustrating,’ but it worked. With Saudi Arabia’s defensive anchor missing, the Americans had everything to lose if the game stayed 0-0, so bagging the win, no matter how, just adds to the team’s never-say-die identity.
Pochettino’s willingness to make subtle adjustments at halftime turned the tide. Having Berhalter drop into the backline when building up from deep kept things stable and gave the attack more breathing room. This sort of flexibility could become a blueprint as the knockout rounds arrive—where one moment, one set piece, could send you packing or keep you alive.
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