The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) is aiming to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup as they face Saudi Arabia in a Group D match in Austin, Texas. The match, taking place at Q2 Stadium, is set for 9:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FS1 and ViX.
The USMNT began their Gold Cup campaign with an impressive 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. Malik Tillman stood out, scoring twice, while Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright added to the scoreline after coming off the bench. Diego Luna also made a significant impact, assisting on two goals.
Saudi Arabia, participating as a guest nation in the tournament, also secured a win in their opening match, defeating Haiti 1-0. Saleh Al-Shehri scored the lone goal from a penalty spot. This marks Saudi Arabia's debut campaign in the Gold Cup, adding an interesting dynamic to Group D.
A win for the United States, combined with a draw or loss by Haiti in their match against Trinidad and Tobago, would guarantee the USMNT's advancement to the quarterfinals, scheduled for June 28-29 in Minneapolis and Glendale, Arizona.
The USMNT's strong start, particularly the dominant win against Trinidad and Tobago, has boosted the team's confidence. The team showcased its depth with contributions from both starters and substitutes, with young players like Luna making a mark. The team hopes to build on this energy as they face a potentially tougher challenge against Saudi Arabia.
This game marks the first-ever Gold Cup meeting between the United States and Saudi Arabia. While they haven't met in the Gold Cup before, they have a history of seven previous encounters, including five friendlies and two matches in the FIFA Confederations Cup. The United States holds a slight edge in the all-time series, with three wins, two draws, and two losses. Their last win against Saudi Arabia was in the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, where they secured a 2-0 victory in the third-place match.
Currently, the USMNT leads Group D based on goal difference. Saudi Arabia is second, followed by Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Heading into the match, the United States is considered the favorite. However, Saudi Arabia, despite missing some top players due to the Club World Cup, presents a formidable challenge.
The USMNT's starting lineup against Saudi Arabia is expected to be unchanged from the win against Trinidad & Tobago, with Matt Freese continuing as goalkeeper.