After two group stage matches in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, the U.S. Men’s National Team finds itself atop Group D, headed to the quarterfinals and full of confidence.
The USMNT ended a four-game losing streak in the first Gold Cup game against Trinidad and Tobago with a dominant 5-0 win. Then, in a more closely contested match, the Americans stayed resolute and recorded a 1-0 win against Saudi Arabia.
In the locker room after Thursday’s victory, U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino told his team to enjoy the feeling and understand what it took to get there because it doesn’t come easily.
“It’s just that belief,” midfielder Tyler Adams said. “I said when we were on the losing streak, you just have to continue to trust the process even when things don’t feel perfect. I think now we’re just building off wins.”
The battle with Saudi Arabia was a microcosm of that growth. It was a hard-fought contest, and the U.S. came away with a narrow victory after defender Chris Richards scored a goal in the 63rd minute.
Richards put the USA ahead and was also an integral part of the back line that allowed the Americans to earn their second-straight shutout. On a Saudi breakaway with a clear shot at the goal, Richards chased down the attacker and executed a perfectly-timed slide to block the attempt.
While Richards tallied just the second goal in his almost five-year USMNT career, and in true center back fashion, he gives more props to the tackle than the score. Pochettino called the effort “heroic.”
“That is what we want, really that’s what we expect,” Pochettino said. “When you create that platform, the players start to feel confident, and they feel the power of the energy.”
Pochettino said he’s seen how Chris Richards' confidence has taken off since returning to camp. Richards is fresh off a stellar season at Crystal Palace and an FA Cup title and has now started three of the four matches this month for the USMNT.
“Nobody told me that I need to make these kinds of plays, but I put it on myself,” Richards said. “I'm probably my harshest critic. I want to kind of be this leader for this team.”
Richards, like every other player, is well aware of the opportunity ahead. Making an impression in this tournament could help propel them to playing for the Stars and Stripes next summer in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
Richards and the rest of the young Gold Cup squad look to secure first place in the group against Haiti on Sunday, June 22, to close out the group stage. Then the Americans head to the quarterfinals the following week, continuing the search for their eighth Gold Cup trophy.
Winning the title could be the ultimate boost in conviction for some heading into next year, and that’s why they’re going to trust the process one match at a time.
“I think that’s a big thing — building confidence,” Richards said.
