AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. men’s soccer team will play in the knockout phase of the CONCACAF Gold Cup this year, just like it always does.
Yet two wins in two matches of group play have been far from consistent and still raise questions about the young squad of Americans first-year coach Mauricio Pochettino is guiding into the quarterfinals.
The U.S. advanced out of Group D with a match still to play, thanks to Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in which defender Chris Richards’ left-footed goal off a free kick from Sebastian Berhalter was the difference.
The win and Haiti’s 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago in Houston in Group D’s other match Thursday clinched the berth for the Americans, who improved to 42 wins, one loss and five draws in group play all-time at Gold Cup tournaments. The U.S., which has won its group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, closes Group D play on Sunday against Haiti in Arlington and will finish no worse than second.
“We need to be calm,” Pochettino said. “This is the second victory in a row in the competition. We still need to be improve. The competition is going to be tougher.”
Richards’ goal was the lone moment of finesse from a U.S. attack that scored five goals against Trinidad and Tobago in the Gold Cup opener for both teams Sunday in San Jose, California. The same group of Americans looked mostly stagnant and stifled by Saudi Arabia on a steamy night in Texas.
There were a couple of glaring defensive lapses for the Americans as well. Richards had to track back to save the U.S. from an early deficit when a mistake by Alex Freeman nearly surrendered a goal in the first half.
The Americans’ two wins in the tournament so far have come against a Trinidad and Tobago team ranked No. 100 in the world and No. 58 Saudi Arabia.Pochettino dismissed the low ranking for Saudi Arabia, noting its first-round victory over eventual champion Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“It wasn’t an easy game. They are very competitive,” Pochettino said. “They have quality.”
Saudia Arabia, although not part of CONCACAF — the region for North and Central America and the Caribbean — is an invited guest for this Gold Cup.
The U.S. will have to navigate a tournament that will only get tougher with a roster Pochettino stitched together with many of the usual stars and starters sitting out due to personal reasons, injuries or to play for their professional teams in the FIFA Club World Cup that is also currently taking place.
Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson and Tim Weah. On top of that, forward Haji Wright did not suit up for the match against Saudi Arabia because U.S. team officials said he has an “issue” with his left Achilles tendon. The team did not elaborate.
The 16th-ranked Americans limped into the Gold Cup on a four-match losing streak that included a 4-0 rout by Switzerland in their final tuneup.
Richards, who scored his second career goal for the Americans, said he sees a roster that is growing as it navigates the Gold Cup in its last competitive matches before the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
“We’re on to the next round. More than anything, we sent a statement to the rest of CONCACAF we’re not taking anyone lightly,” Richards said. “The Gold Cup is a lot longer than anything we’ve played in so far … CONCACAF teams might not have as much quality, but they definitely have fight.”