Five Things to Know: USMNT vs. Saudi Arabia in Gold Cup
Here's everything you need to know before the USA faces Saudi Arabia in the Concacaf Gold Cup at Q2 Stadium
The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup continues as the U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Saudi Arabia in Austin, Texas at Q2 Stadium (8:15 p.m. CT / 9:15 p.m. ET; FS1, ViX).
The USA kicked off the tournament with a 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose, Calif., and may face a stiffer challenge in Saudi Arabia. Both the Americans and the guest nation are vying for the top spot in Group D. A USA win combined with a draw or loss by Haiti would advance the United States to the quarterfinals.
Here’s what you need to know about the USMNT’s second group-stage match:
1. Building Momentum
The USMNT didn’t take its foot off the gas pedal in the first its Gold Cup group match. The Americans scored three first-half goals — two from Malik Tillman and another off Patrick Agyemang. Then Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright subbed on in the last 20 minutes and provided a spark and two more goals. Aaronson found the back of the net just two minutes after entering the game.
The USA hopes to build on that energy in its second group-stage match. The USMNT trotted out a starting lineup with an average of 15 caps against Trinidad and Tobago. Momentum can be key for a young squad’s confidence.
“It's definitely huge,” midfielder Jack McGlynn said. “I think we started off the way we wanted to, and it was a good win for everybody here. Obviously, the two losses before don't feel great, so to get a win last game and hopefully continue, that would be huge.”
2. Moon Man Magic
Diego Luna made his Gold Cup debut and the midfielder created significant opportunities for the USA. It felt like Luna was everywhere on the pitch, from picking off balls to generating breakaway scoring chances. Luna assisted on two goals in three minutes, all in front of friends and family near his hometown of Sunnyvale, Calif.
Luna came on the senior team scene in 2024, earning his first cap in last year’s January camp. He got another spot in the developmental camp and found his way, impressing Mauricio Pochettino and the coaching staff into a starting role. He’s only just beginning to find his stride with the National Team less than 10 appearances in.
3. Scouting Saudi Arabia
This Saudi Arabia team is perhaps best known for shocking the world and upsetting the eventual FIFA World Cup winners, Argentina, in the group stage of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Al-Suqour are not to be taken lightly. Pochettino, an Argentine native, uniquely understands this.
“I think it's going to be a very good test,” Pochettino said. “Again, a very good team. They beat Haiti, and we both have three points, and I think it's important for us to win the game but knowing that it's going to be a really tough game.”
The USMNT has faced Saudi Arabia seven times with an overall 3-2-2 record. These nations last met in 2022 in an international friendly in Spain, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Before that, every other encounter happened in the 90s. Two of the matches have been in tournament formats — the FIFA Confederations Cup (1992, 94), where each team got a win.
4. Where Group D Stands
As of now, the U.S. Men’s National Team leads Group D ahead of Saudi Arabia based on goal differential. Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago round out the group, in that order. The top two teams from each group move on to the next round.
Saudi Arabia beat Haiti 1-0 in its first group match. Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti face off before the USMNT’s game at 6:45 p.m. ET. A USA win combined with a draw or loss by Haiti would advance the United States to the quarterfinals, which take place from June 28-29 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. and State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
5. Gold Cup History
The first Concacaf Gold Cup was in 1991 when the USMNT claimed the inaugural crown in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The U.S. has won seven total times in 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2021.
The USA has advanced past the group matches in every iteration of the tournament and only once failed to reach the semifinals in 2000 when the Americans lost to Colombia in a penalty shootout.
The USMNT has collected the second-most trophies after Mexico, which has won the tournament nine times, including as reigning champions in 2023. USMNT legend Landon Donovan holds the record for most goals in the biennial competition with 18 goals. Check out the USA’s best Gold Cup moments here.