Berhalter's Bold Gamble Pays Off as USMNT Triumphs Over Saudi Arabia in Gold Cup Thriller
The United States men's national soccer team has advanced to the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals following a narrow 1-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in Austin, Texas, on Thursday evening.
Although the performance wasn't flawless, this result enabled the USMNT to continue their momentum from their tournament opener—a commanding 5-0 triumph over Trinidad and Tobago—and secure their place in the elimination phase.
Additionally, the Stars and Stripes maintained another shutout for consecutive matches, with goalkeeper Matt Freese recording one save while earning his second consecutive start for the first time at the international level.
Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards netted the decisive goal from a Sebastian Berhalter free-kick delivery in the 63rd minute, which ultimately secured the victory for the United States.
The USMNT will next face Haiti in their concluding Group D fixture on June 22, before potentially meeting either Mexico or Costa Rica in the quarterfinal round.
Below are Sports Illustrated's key observations from the USMNT's triumph.
A Character-Building Victory
The USMNT's performance wasn't aesthetically pleasing, but securing victory in a challenging contest within a somewhat lackluster atmosphere represents crucial progress for the squad.
Had this identical scenario occurred during the 2024 Copa América or March's Concacaf Nations League, they would likely have failed to find the decisive moment, ultimately accepting a stalemate.
However, the USMNT demonstrated clear determination on Thursday, successfully capitalizing on a well-executed set-piece that guaranteed their tournament advancement.
Was the display perfect? Absolutely not; the Americans had difficulty generating chances, and forward Patrick Agyemang failed to pose a significant threat, among other concerns. Nevertheless, they managed to claim victory in a resilience-testing moment that might have eluded them mere months earlier.
The crucial question now is whether they can build upon this win and implement these lessons during the upcoming knockout phase encounters, as they pursue Gold Cup glory against tournament favorites Mexico and Canada.
Berhalter Delivers When Needed
While Gregg Berhalter is no longer associated with the USMNT, his son Sebastian emerged as a pivotal figure during Thursday's encounter.
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder delivered the perfectly curved free-kick that found Chris Richards ideally positioned in the penalty area to give the Americans their crucial lead. He consistently posed threats from dead-ball situations throughout the evening.
Beyond set-piece scenarios, Berhalter dominated proceedings and dictated play from midfield alongside Luca de la Torre and Tyler Adams, frequently advancing the ball into attacking phases while seeking forward passes.
He completed the match with 89 percent passing precision and delivered 14 passes into the attacking third. He also successfully executed six long-range passes, all contributing to a well-rounded midfield display that stood out among all American players on the field.
This mirrors the consistent performances he has delivered for the Whitecaps in MLS this season, and having a deep-lying midfielder capable of creating threats enables the U.S. to deploy others, including Diego Luna, in more advanced attacking positions, potentially addressing the isolation issues that frequently affect Agyemang.
Pochettino's Puzzling Deployment of McGlynn and Freeman
Two of the most promising young talents in the USMNT setup, Jack McGlynn and Alex Freeman, have received unusual tactical roles during their brief tenure with the national team, and this pattern persisted against Saudi Arabia.
While Berhalter demonstrated his capacity to orchestrate matches as a possession-based midfielder, Mauricio Pochettino has not provided McGlynn with similar opportunities, instead deploying him in wide positions where he has shown these abilities.
During his time with Houston Dynamo and previously Philadelphia Union, McGlynn has established himself as an outstanding creative midfielder in MLS, and his positioning data from Thursday's match reveals he continues seeking those same opportunities with the USMNT, only to find himself constrained by limited space on the flanks.
Despite the U.S. having multiple midfield options, at just 20 years old, McGlynn possesses the capability to be a difference-maker in a more central role. He could assist in breaking down stubborn defensive structures, similar to Saudi Arabia's approach on Thursday.
Furthermore, Freeman has demonstrated himself as one of MLS's premier attacking fullbacks with Orlando City SC, yet has been utilized in a defensive three-man system in possession for the USMNT, which limits his ability to initiate offensive moves.
These situations raise numerous questions for the USMNT and Pochettino as they attempt to establish a clear style and identity before next year's World Cup. They continue to face challenges in maximizing the abilities of their current squad members.