Mauricio Pochettino and the United States men’s national team got their Gold Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 5-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago, easing early concerns. But the pressure could quickly return if the team falters against Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
The Americans take on guest nation Saudi Arabia in Austin, with both sides eyeing a spot in the knockout stage. The match carries high stakes, and depending on earlier results, either team could punch their ticket to the next round with a favorable outcome.
Fans can catch the action live tonight at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT via TSN2, the TSN App, and TSN.ca.
Sunday’s victory over Panama halted a frustrating four-game skid for the USMNT, which included friendly defeats to Switzerland and Turkey and CONCACAF Nations League losses against Canada and Panama. Malik Tillman of PSV Eindhoven led the charge with two goals in the first half.
Despite the win, Pochettino was quick to downplay any narrative suggesting he’s out to silence doubters ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“We’re not here to chase revenge or prove people wrong,” said the former Spurs and Chelsea coach. “It’s part of the game. You win, and things feel good. You lose, and criticism is expected.”
While the scrutiny around Pochettino’s leadership is real, a coaching change just a year before the World Cup remains improbable. Beyond the complications of finding a replacement, the 53-year-old Argentine is among the highest-paid coaches in international football. Letting him go now would come at a steep financial cost. Even so, continued struggles could make the noise around his tenure hard to ignore.
Several familiar faces are missing from the current roster due to injuries and Club World Cup commitments. Regulars like Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah, and Christian Pulisic are not part of this tournament. In their place, emerging talents are getting a rare opportunity to make their mark. Charlotte’s Patrick Agyemang, who scored against Trinidad and Tobago, Real Salt Lake’s 21-year-old Diego Luna, and Houston Dynamo’s Jack McGlynn are among the names pushing for a bigger role.
“The coaches have been clear about what they want from me,” Luna said in an interview with The Athletic. “My job is simple: create chances, score goals, help the team on both ends. That’s my focus right now.”
Saudi Arabia also opened its Gold Cup debut with a win, defeating Haiti 1-0 thanks to a 21st-minute penalty from Saleh Al-Shehri of Al-Ittihad. The Green Falcons now look to secure a spot in the next round and continue their strong start.
Although Saudi Arabia is new to the Gold Cup, the concept of guest nations is not. Since the competition’s launch in 1991, teams like Brazil, Colombia, and South Korea have taken part. While the practice slowed in recent editions, it returned recently with Qatar appearing in the last two tournaments.
Thursday’s clash marks the eighth meeting between the United States and Saudi Arabia. It’s only their third competitive matchup, with the other two occurring in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992 and 1999. The most recent encounter came in a 2022 friendly that ended 0-0 in Murcia, Spain. Overall, the U.S. leads the series 3-2-2.
Whether the U.S. or Saudi Arabia moves on will also hinge on the earlier game between Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago in Houston. If Trinidad and Tobago win or draw, a U.S. win guarantees passage to the knockouts. However, if Haiti secures a result, Saudi Arabia can advance with a victory of their own.
The United States has a perfect record of reaching the knockout rounds in all 17 previous Gold Cup editions. The final group fixtures are set for Sunday, with the U.S. playing Haiti in Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia facing Trinidad and Tobago in Arlington, Texas.
See also:
Mbappe Misses Real Madrid Opener, Hospitalized in Miami
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: First Round Recap – Goals, Attendance, MVPs, and Prize Money
Real Madrid’s Fran Garcia Determined to Prove His Worth Amid Transfer Uncertainty
Manchester City Set for Wolverhampton Opener as Premier League Fixtures Drop
Monterrey vs Inter Milan: Ramos Scores in Club World Cup Debut
Join 500K Subscribers For Updates
