Latest news with #Richards
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Richards' 2nd-half goal gives US 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, sends them into CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals
AUSTIN: Defender Chris Richards scored with a flick of the ball off a second-half free kick to lift the United States to a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, sending the Americans on to the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals. Richards tracked the ball as it flew into the box on a curving free kick from Sebastian Berhalter in the 62nd minute to tap the ball with his left foot past Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aquidi. The win and the 1-1 draw between Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti in Group D's other match Thursday in Houston, clinched a knockout berth for the Americans, who improved to 42 wins, one loss and five draws in group play. The U.S. has won its group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, and closes Group D play on Sunday against Haiti at Arlington, Texas. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino stuck with the same lineup that produced a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the first time he made no changes in consecutive matches since taking over the program last October. But playing against No. 58 Saudi Arabia, the 16th-ranked Americans showed little of the attack firepower they displayed against the No. 100 Soca Warriors. The match, played before a crowd of 11,727 in a half-full Q2 Stadium, saw few real chances on goal by either team. The Americans had just one shot in the first half. Richards' speed to track back to cover for Alex Freeman's mistake and block a shot kept Saudi Arabia from a 1-0 lead. Matt Freese got his second consecutive start in goal for the U.S. and third in four matches as he appears to have displaced Matt Turner. The Gold Cup represents the last competitive test for the Americans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. As co-host with Mexico and Canada, the U.S. is an automatic qualifier for the World Cup. The Americans limped into the Gold Cup on a four-match losing streak that included a 4-0 rout by Switzerland in their final tune-up. And with many of the top players either sitting out this tournament for personal reasons, injuries or playing in the Club World Cup, Pochettino selected a roster full of relatively untested and unproven players. 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.
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 hours 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
8 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
8 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:
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
US edge Saudi Arabia 1-0 to enter Gold Cup quarterfinals
Chris Richards scored a crucial 63rd-minute winner as the United States edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Austin to book their place in the quarterfinals. Following a dominant 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in their opener, the US faced a far sterner test against the defensive-minded Saudis, who made life difficult throughout a tense contest. Richards nearly opened the scoring with a powerful header from a Jack McGlynn cross, only to be denied by a sharp save from Nawaf Al Aqidi . Moments later, the Crystal Palace defender made no mistake. Meeting a deep free-kick from Sebastian Berhalter , Richards connected with a sliding half-volley in a crowded box, flashing the ball into the net for the game's only goal. — GoldCup (@GoldCup) Live Events Tempers flared late in the match when US substitute Tyler Adams was shoved to the ground, sparking a scuffle that saw Saudi head coach Herve Renard enter the pitch to calm tensions. US coach Mauricio Pochettino also stepped in to help separate players. Despite lacking attacking flair, Pochettino's side displayed improved discipline and defensive cohesion, a marked shift from their four-game losing streak ahead of the tournament. — GoldCup (@GoldCup) The US will face Haiti on Sunday in their final Group D match, sitting atop the group with six points from two wins. Saudi Arabia remain in second with three points, while Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago are level on one point each. A draw against Haiti would be enough for the US to finish as group winners. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
