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USMNT Struggles Again in Goalless Pre-World Cup Friendly vs. Saudi Arabia

The U.S. failed to break through against another Qatar-bound side while star winger Gio Reyna left the match early as a precaution.

Andrew Gastelum

The U.S. men’s national team closed out an unimpressive final international break before the World Cup with a scoreless draw against Qatar-bound Saudi Arabia.  

Gregg Berhalter’s side was coming off a concerning 2–0 loss to Japan on Friday in which the USMNT failed to record a shot on target. The U.S. looked disjointed, played with a lack of urgency and seemed unprepared for the challenge Japan brought to Germany, and the side once again struggled against another Asian confederation team.  

After missing out on the Japan game due to a knock picked up in training, U.S. star Christian Pulisic started against Saudi Arabia, but it didn’t make much difference. In bigger news, injury-prone winger Gio Reyna was subbed off in the 30th minute in what was called a precaution.

Pulisic made his presence felt in the first seven minutes, setting up a couple of chances including a beautiful passing sequence that sent Weston McKennie towards goal before the Juventus midfielder was called offside. 

After going the entire Japan match without a chance on goal, McKennie logged a shot on target in the ninth minute after Walker Zimmerman sent a pinpoint pass from the backline that met McKennie’s run. However, the Texas native’s shot went straight toward the Saudi Arabian keeper. 

Tyler Adams barely missed putting the U.S. ahead in the 24th minute. The Leeds midfielder had plenty of time to run up to a loose ball and powered a low shot from distance that flew just inches wide of the post. 

The USMNT will be concerned after Reyna left the game in the 30th minute. The winger appeared to pull up slightly and sent the ball out of place before he was replaced by Paul Arriola.

The U.S. was in for a scare in the 33rd minute when Saudi Arabia broke down the American backline. A mad scramble ensued with two Saudi Arabian players appearing to have a chance directly in front of goal before a blocked shot and an Arriola clearance kept things goalless.

Pulisic seemed to have a valid penalty claim in the 41st minute when he was taken down at the edge of the area. But with the referee waving play on and no VAR for the friendly, the U.S. was forced to push on. 

On the right flank, DeAndre Yedlin continued to press forward throughout the match with usual right back Sergiño Dest playing on the left. But in the 57th minute, Yedlin was taken down with a crunching tackle that earned a yellow card and forced Yedlin off in favor of Joe Scally. 

After coming on for Pepi, who struggled to find his rhythm in 59 minutes, Jesús Ferreira came up with the U.S.’s second chance of the match, which was once again sent right at the keeper. 

In the 70th minute, goalkeeper Matt Turner, the lone outstanding player from the Japan match with six saves, was forced into a save on a threatening counterattack from Saudi Arabia to keep the score tied at zero. 

Tuesday’s match was the last chance for fringe players to prove themselves before Berhalter announces the World Cup roster on Nov. 9. While the U.S. will play Iran, England and Wales at the World Cup, Saudi Arabia also faces a tough group that features Argentina, Mexico and Poland in Qatar.

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Andrew Gastelum
ANDREW GASTELUM

Andrew Gastelum is a programming editor and writer at Sports Illustrated who specializes in soccer, the Olympics and international sports. He joined the SI staff in March 2021 and previously contributed to Howler Magazine and NBC Sports. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame alum and is currently based in Italy.

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