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Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Richards strike gives USA spot in Gold Cup quarters - World
The USA booked their place in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Austin on Thursday. After a 5-0 win over a struggling Trinidad and Tobago in their opener, guest team Saudi Arabia presented a much tougher nut to crack but a 63rd-minute goal from Chris Richards was enough for the three points. After a lifeless first half with the Saudis sitting deep and the USA lacking penetration, the game picked up after the interval. Crystal Palace defender Richards went close with a header from a Jack McGlynn cross which was well saved by Nawaf Al Aqidi. The breakthrough came when Sebastian Berhalter whipped in a free-kick from deep which, in a crowded box, Richards met with a half-volley on the slide which flashed home. There were clashes near the end of the game when USA substitute Tyler Adams was pushed over and the French coach of the Saudi team Herve Renard rushed on to the field to separate the players. USA coach Mauricio Pochettino also entered the field to pull apart players in the melee. After a run of four straight losses going into the tournament, Pochettino's side showed solidity and organisation even if they lacked in the flair department. Richards said the game was simply about securing progress to the next round. "We needed it tonight. You know, it was a tough game against a tough opponent, props to them. But that's CONCACAF for you. Sometimes you've got to get physical, sometimes you gotta get nasty, I think that's exactly what we did tonight," he added. "We had a few problems in the first half building out, they adjusted well so, at halftime we said we just needed to get the right people on the ball and I think that's what we did," he added. The USA face Haiti on Sunday in the final game of Group D which they lead on six points. The Saudis are second on three points with Haiti and Trinidad on a point each. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Richards strike gives USA spot in Gold Cup quarters
AUSTIN: The USA booked their place in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Austin on Thursday. After a 5-0 win over a struggling Trinidad and Tobago in their opener, guest team Saudi Arabia presented a much tougher nut to crack but a 63rd-minute goal from Chris Richards was enough for the three points. After a lifeless first half with the Saudis sitting deep and the USA lacking penetration, the game picked up after the interval. Crystal Palace defender Richards went close with a header from a Jack McGlynn cross which was well saved by Nawaf Al Aqidi. The breakthrough came when Sebastian Berhalter whipped in a free-kick from deep which, in a crowded box, Richards met with a half-volley on the slide which flashed home. There were clashes near the end of the game when USA substitute Tyler Adams was pushed over and the French coach of the Saudi team Herve Renard rushed on to the field to separate the players. USA coach Mauricio Pochettino also entered the field to pull apart players in the melee. After a run of four straight losses going into the tournament, Pochettino's side showed solidity and organisation even if they lacked in the flair department. Richards said the game was simply about securing progress to the next round. "We needed it tonight. You know, it was a tough game against a tough opponent, props to them. But that's CONCACAF for you. Sometimes you've got to get physical, sometimes you gotta get nasty, I think that's exactly what we did tonight," he added. "We had a few problems in the first half building out, they adjusted well so, at halftime we said we just needed to get the right people on the ball and I think that's what we did," he added. The USA face Haiti on Sunday in the final game of Group D which they lead on six points. The Saudis are second on three points with Haiti and Trinidad on a point each.
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
US advances in CONCACAF Gold Cup but still a work in progress and inconsistent under Pochettino
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The United States is moving to the knockout rounds at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, like it always does. Yet two wins in two matches have been far from consistent and still raise questions about the young squad coach Mauricio Pochettino is guiding into the quarterfinals. The Americans advanced out of Group D with a match still to play with Thursday night's 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia thanks to defender Chris Richards' left-footed goal off a free kick from Sebastian Berhalter. '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, and then looked mostly stagnant and stifled by Saudi Arabia on a steamy night in Texas. There were a couple of glaring defensive lapses, 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. They will end Group D play Sunday against No. 83 Haiti in Arlington, Texas. Pochettino dismissed the low ranking for Saudi Arabia, noting its first-round victory over eventual champion Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. 'It wasn't an easy game. They are very competitive,' Pochettino said. 'They have quality.' 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 for personal reasons, injuries or playing in the Club World Cup. Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic , Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest . And forward Haji Wright did not suit up for the match against Saudi Arabia because team officials said he has an 'issue' with his left Achilles tendon. The team did not elaborate. 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 Mexico and Canada. '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, but CONCACAF teams might not have as much quality, but they definitely have fight.' ___ AP soccer:
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
US advances in CONCACAF Gold Cup but still a work in progress and inconsistent under Pochettino
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The United States is moving to the knockout rounds at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, like it always does. Yet two wins in two matches have been far from consistent and still raise questions about the young squad coach Mauricio Pochettino is guiding into the quarterfinals. The Americans advanced out of Group D with a match still to play with Thursday night's 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia thanks to defender Chris Richards' left-footed goal off a free kick from Sebastian Berhalter. '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, and then looked mostly stagnant and stifled by Saudi Arabia on a steamy night in Texas. There were a couple of glaring defensive lapses, 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. They will end Group D play Sunday against No. 83 Haiti in Arlington, Texas. 'It wasn't an easy game. They are very competitive,' Pochettino said. 'They have quality.' 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 for personal reasons, injuries or playing in the Club World Cup. Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest. And forward Haji Wright did not suit up for the match against Saudi Arabia because team officials said he has an 'issue' with his left Achilles tendon. The team did not elaborate. 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 Mexico and Canada. '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, but CONCACAF teams might not have as much quality, but they definitely have fight.' ___
The National
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Club World Cup: Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to historic win over Porto
Lionel Messi led the way once again as his stunning free kick secured Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Porto in their Club World Cup Group A clash on Thursday. It was the first time a CONCACAF team had defeated a European side in an official Fifa tournament. The Argentine great proved decisive as the Major-league Soccer side bounced back from their disappointing goalless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly in their opening match. Samu Omorodion converted a penalty in the opening minutes after a video review for the Portuguese club's first goal of the tournament. Telasco Segovia then drew parity two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from Marcelo Weigandt. Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentine to shine with a trademark goal – finding the top corner with a second half set-piece. 'It's a huge joy, the whole team made a big effort, we worked really well,' Messi told DAZN. 'It's a really important win for us and we have to enjoy it. You can see that we want to compete, and today we competed against a really good European team. We knew that today we were weaker, but we had our strengths.' Messi was the game's outstanding player, involved heavily from the off. The former Barcelona great clipped a dipping ball in behind for veteran striker Luis Suarez, who could only prod it at the goalkeeper. Porto took the lead in the eighth minute after being awarded a soft penalty after a VAR review, as Miami defender Noah Allen made light contact with Joao Mario in the box. Spain international Aghehowa beat Oscar Ustari, who had saved a penalty in the goalless draw against Al Ahly, even though the stopper got a hand to his low effort. Uruguayan striker Suarez, 38, might have levelled after Messi threaded him through on goal but, forced to use his weaker left foot, Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos denied him. Javier Mascherano's side almost levelled through US international Benjamin Cremaschi after a charge from Suarez broke open Porto's defence, but Ramos made a smart stop to thwart him. Maximiliano Falcon brilliantly headed off his own goal-line with Ustari beaten by Rodrigo Mora's effort to keep Inter Miami hopes alive. Ustari denied Aghehowa and then scrambled the ball to safety as it rolled towards his net after Alan Varela crashed a shot off the upright and it hit him on the back, as Porto turned up the heat before the break. Miami levelled right at the start of the second half, with Segovia blasting home Weigandt's inviting cutback to stun the Portuguese side. Messi then sent Miami ahead with a goal all of his own making after 54 minutes. ' (Messi) is a leader, he's the player he is, he's the greatest player in the world,' Miami forward Fafa Picault said. 'I had a feeling (the free-kick) was going in. That was a great goal, a great show of leadership and coming in a clutch moment for us.'
