USA vs. Saudi Arabia score: USMNT held to uninspiring scoreless draw as World Cup now looms on horizon

Kyle Bonn

USA vs. Saudi Arabia score: USMNT held to uninspiring scoreless draw as World Cup now looms on horizon image

If the 2-0 defeat to Japan saw worries creep across the USMNT fanbase ahead of the 2022 World Cup, then alarm bells are now surely blaring as the United States played to a drab 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in the final friendly before the World Cup arrives in late November.

Both sides had a few decent chances but the match was hardly a barnburner, with Christian Pulisic unable to inspire an attacking onslaught from the United States. Ricardo Pepi, who has struggled for club form at striker, was handed a start but saw just scraps up front.

At the back, mistakes that plagued the U.S. against Japan cropped up again as starter Aaron Long and substitute Mark McKenzie both struggled on the ball.

Gregg Berhalter has preached calm and trust as the process plays out, but with USMNT supporters having waited eight years for World Cup action and the big dance nearly here, the fanbase grows increasingly worried. Poor results against two teams not expected to exit their respective groups in Qatar are a worrisome way to highlight the September international window.

Now, Wales awaits in the Group B opener for the United States as the players return to the clubs and the coaches get to devising a plan for success at the 2022 World Cup.

DECOURCY: Why Pepi might be USA's best chance at resolving forward conundrum

USA vs. Saudi Arabia final score

  1H 2H Final
USA 0 0 0
Saudi Arabia 0 0 0

Goals:
None

USA vs. Saudi Arabia live updates, highlights from friendly

FULL-TIME: USA 0-0 Saudi Arabia

A totally uninspiring performance as the World Cup preparation comes to an official close. The United States had very little creativity or attacking spark, and Gio Reyna was injured in the process. It was better than against Japan, but not by much considering the level of competition.

After a loss to Japan and a draw with Saudi Arabia, head coach Gregg Berhalter will face a lot of nervous U.S. fans and media between now and the start of the World Cup.

90+1 min: Tyler Adams gets a yellow card in a final act from the official as the three minutes of added time quickly play out. Saudi Arabia with one last set-piece chance before the time ticks down.

86th min: Off a nothing throw, Jesus Ferreira threads Paul Arriola in on goal, but the FC Dallas winger blasts his shot miles wide. Arriola's hit looked like a power hitter swinging out of his shoes trying to hit a 500-foot home run.

82nd min: Now it's Saudi Arabia's turn to possess the ball in the attacking third, threatening Matt Turner's penalty area on multiple occasions. The U.S. just look completely flat, with very few chemistry and no answers to find a winner.

75th min: A long spell of good attacking pressure from the U.S. doesn't result in any solid chances. Arriola, Ferreira, and Pulisic are at the heart of the moves, but nothing comes off.

Malik Tillman and Brenden Aaronson will come off the bench for an appearance, while Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic are replaced. Interestingly, Aaronson comes into midfield and Tillman goes out wide.

70th min: Chance, Saudi Arabia! A giveaway from Mark McKenzie creates an opportunity for Asiri, but Matt Turner makes a great parried save! The Arsenal goalkeeper was great against Japan, and he's not yet beaten today, denying the substitute.

68th min: More pressure from Saudi Arabia as they bring on fresh legs, but the cross from deep on the right flank doesn't find a mark.

61st min: Chance, USA! Just moments after coming on, Jesus Ferreira comes close! Paul Arriola sets up the chance, and Ferreira strikes from a central location, but Al-Rubaie makes the simple save down low, with the shot directly at the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper.

57th min: Oh boy. Abdulhamid obliterates DeAndre Yedlin deep on the right flank, late after delivering a cross. Typical from this referee, Abdulhamid gets just a yellow here, but on replay it shows a nasty late tackle, and the FOX rules analyst Dr. Joe Machnik believes the Saudi Arabia man should have been sent off.

Yedlin immediately makes way for Joe Scally, limping off the field gingerly. McKenzie replaces Aaron Long, while Jesus Ferreira takes over up front for Pepi. The starting U.S. striker had just 13 touches through an hour of action.

55th min: Paul Arriola generates a turnover deep in the attacking third, but his cross into the area sees nobody there to meet it.

Joe Scally, Jesus Ferreira, and Mark McKenzie look like they're getting ready to come on.

52nd min: Whatever changes Berhalter hoped to make at the break have not come to fruition. Saudi Arabia have had the lion's share of possession to start the second half, just like they did to start the match. U.S. on the back foot, looking like they want to be anywhere else.

46th min: We're back under way in Spain, and there's some good news as Gregg Berhalter tells FOX sideline reporter Jenny Taft that Reyna's substitution was "precautionary." Moments later, U.S. Soccer confirmed that the 19-year-old felt "muscle tightness" so they brought him off.

HALFTIME: USA 0-0 Saudi Arabia

A very, very concerning half from the United States. They started on the back foot, and eventually built into the match, but created precious few opportunities. Christian Pulisic is being hacked to pieces by Saudi Arabia, which he should be used to from CONCACAF matches, but the U.S. has not capitalized. The opponents missed a big chance too, which contributes to the feelings of disappointment at the break.

The injury to Gio Reyna is the talking point of the first half, as he was one of the best U.S. players in the first half. If it's another muscle injury, he and fans will be severely disappointed given his history.

The U.S. has not scored in 135 minutes of play in this international break, which will also make fans extremely nervous about the fast-approaching World Cup. There could be significant changes from Gregg Berhalter after the break as the head coach looks for some kind of attacking spark.

43rd min: Pulisic is hacked on the edge of the penalty area, but no call, which is a consistent theme of this first half. A replay showed that not only was it a clear foul, but it was probably slightly inside the 18-yard box too. It's unclear if these friendlies have VAR (the Japan game did have VAR available but the broadcasters didn't even know it), but that probably should have been a penalty for the United States.

41st min: U.S. holding significant possession but struggling to bring the attackers into the flow of possession. Kellyn Acosta is flagged for offsides, ending the move.

Meanwhile, U.S. Soccer has confirmed that the Reyna substitution was NOT pre-planned, which is obviously not good news for his health.

38th min: Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic have been hacked incessantly in this first half, and the referee has not shown a single yellow card. U.S. players are getting increasingly frustrated.

34th min: Chance, Saudi Arabia! How did the Middle Eastern side not score??? Somehow, the ball can't find the back of the net as the substitute Asiri carves through the penalty area. He fires off a shot that's blocked, and the ball bobbles around, with Turner diving to make a stop and finally Arriola clearing. Complete mayhem, but still scoreless.

31th min: An all-too familiar sight for USMNT fans will make them sick just weeks before the World Cup. Gio Reyna is subbed off on the half-hour mark, with Paul Arriola coming on. The timing actually could lend itself to a pre-planned change, but Reyna heads right down the tunnel after coming off, which is a bad sign.

Saudi Arabia makes a substitution as well, as Al-Najei comes off for Asiri Haitham.

29th min: It's Saudi Arabia's turn for a dangerous free-kick, with a set-piece from atop the penalty area maybe five yards outside the box. A long wait for Turner to set the wall, and eventually it's fired well over the crossbar, not threatening the U.S. goal.

27th min: Babhir chops down Sergino Dest and the U.S. have a dangerous free-kick. Those two were involved in a wrestling match on the touchline moments earlier, and it appeared then that the referee told Babhir no more, but he's not cautioned for the most recent offense. The free-kick is collected by the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper.

24th min: Chance, USA! Pulisic brings up the ball on the left and the ball makes its way out to Tyler Adams who fires from distance and barely missed the left post. The USA is growing into the match. This team looks very different with Pulisic on the field.

20th min: The USMNT has picked up the intensity. Pulisic and McKennie are setting the tone. There are a couple of giveaways by the USA that are a concern, but they're not backing down this time.

9th min: The USA has been able to get into the attack a few times in recent minutes. They're looking for Christian Pulisic wide left.

But it's Weston McKennie getting into the attack with urgency to start. He gets the USA's first shot on goal from outside the box, but it's a slow roller (may have been deflected) and it's an easy stop.

4th min: The Saudi Arabian side is taking a page from Japan's book and applying aggressive pressure. The USA is not entirely comfortable. Meanwhile, a long ball looking for Ricardo Pepi catches the Groningen forward offside.

1st min: We're off and Matt Turner has to make a save after just 30 seconds! That will immediately put the doubt in the USMNT. The last thing they needed.

Pre-Match: USA vs. Saudi Arabia

17 mins to kick: Today's match is being played in Murcia, Spain, at the stadium of third-tier club Real Murcia. The atmosphere is not expected to produce any kind of excitement, and the players are in for a real jolt when the World Cup comes around in a few months.

21 mins to kick: Gregg Berhalter wants to focus on earning a "response" from the U.S. as they push towards the World Cup. He asks them to focus on the "team game" and not individual performances, despite pressure to impress to earn a roster spot.

45 mins to kick: DeAndre Yedlin is a bit of a footnote in the USMNT lineup with so many other talking points, but he becomes the first U.S. player to earn his 75th cap in eight years, a commendable achievement amidst so much youth, which underpins that gap in time from other veterans.

52 mins to kick: The USMNT lineup is out, and the biggest surprise is Aaron Long gets a second start in central defense, rather than giving minutes to someone like Erik Palmer-Brown or Mark McKenzie. Luca de la Torre is sat for Kellyn Acosta in midfield as they look to replace Yunus Musah. Gio Reyna starts on the right with Brenden Aaronson sat on the bench.

60 mins to kick: We're still waiting for the USMNT starting lineup, but the Saudi Arabia starters are in. Surprisingly, they've made a change in goal after Mohammad Al-Owais played extremely well against Ecuador on Friday, making five saves, but he's swapped for 25-year-old Mohammed Al-Rubaie.

75 mins to kick: Following Gregg Berhalter's pre-match press conference yesterday, USMNT fans on social media went into sleuthing mode after the USA head coach said he was missing five starters due to injury. While fans were able to pin down that Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, and Timothy Weah, the other two supposed starters were up for debate.

Some believe that Berhalter was referring to any of the numerous center-backs out injured at the moment, including Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, or Cameron Carter-Vickers. However, others believe that this quote indicates that Berhalter still feels that Zack Steffen could be the starting goalkeeper despite the positive performances of Matt Turner of late. Steffen overtaking Turner at this point would represent a real surprise.

MORE: USMNT 2022 World Cup schedule for FIFA tournament in Qatar

USA vs. Saudi Arabia lineups, team news

USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter confirmed that Christian Pulisic will be back in the lineup after missing the Japan match following a slight knock in training. Berhalter also revealed that Ricardo Pepi will get another chance in the starting striker role as the battle for the center-forward spot continues. 

Reggie Cannon will not be available after suffering a groin strain, which will sideline him for "a few weeks." He joins a list of players who are out due to injury, including Valencia's Yunus Musah, whose absence was particularly felt in midfield against Japan. Antonee RobinsonCameron Carter-Vickers, and Zack Steffen also stayed at home for these September friendlies.

USA starting lineup (4-3-3): Johnson (GK) — Yedlin, Zimmerman, Long, Dest — McKennie, Adams, Acosta — Pulisic, Pepi, Reyna.

USA subs (14): Johnson (GK), Horvath (GK), Vines, McKenzie, Palmer-Brown, Scally, de la Torre, Cardoso, Tillman, Arriola, Morris, Aaronson, Sargent, Ferreira.

The leading Saudi goalscorers on the roster are midfielders Salem Al-Dawsari and Fawad Al-Muwallad, both on 17 goals. They are the only two with double-digit international goals on the roster. The midfield is extremely experienced, with four players sitting at over 49 caps.

Goalkeeper Mohammad Al-Owais played extremely well against Ecuador on Friday, making five saves, but he's swapped for Mohammed Al-Rubaie.

Saudi Arabia starting lineup (4-3-3): Al-Rubaie (GK) — Al-Ghannam, Al-Bolehai, Al-Amri, Abdulhamid — Al-Hassan, Sharahili, N. Al-Dawsari — Al-Najei, Al-Buraikan, Bahebri.

Saudi Arabia subs (11): Al-Qarni (GK), Al-Muwallad, Haitham, Camara, Al-Abid, Al-Nashri, Kanoo, Altambaki, Bamsaud, Madu, Alaquidi.

How to watch USA vs. Saudi Arabia

  • Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2022
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: FS1
  • Spanish-language TV: TUDN, UniMas
  • Streaming: fuboTV, Fox Sports Go app, Univision Now, TUDN.com

Tuesday's friendly match between the United States and Saudi Arabia from Estadio Enrique Roca in Murcia, Spain will be televised by FS1 (England), TUDN and Unimas (Spanish). All three channels are streamed on fuboTV.

Fans can also stream the match via each broadcaster's owned platforms: Fox Sports Go, Univision Now, or TUDN.com.

MORE: Turner the only standout performer in 2-0 friendly loss to Japan

USA vs Saudi Arabia betting odds

Odds via Caesars (USA) & Sports Interaction (Canada)

Understandably, the United States are considered significant favorites over Tuesday's opposition. 

Saudi Arabia have failed to score in all three of their international friendlies since the end of World Cup qualifying, held off the scoresheet by Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

That has led to odds favoring fewer goals in the match, with the U.S. also struggling with a striker crisis. Ricardo Pepi will get the start up front for the United States, hoping to prove the bookmakers wrong.

  Caesars Sports
Interaction
USA win -115 1.89
Draw +220 3.36
Saudi Arabia win +295 3.91
Both teams
to score Y / N
+105 / -135 1.92 / 1.70
Over / Under
2.5 goals
+122 / -155 2.18 / 1.64
USA -0.5 1.91
Saudi Arabia +0.5 1.83

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.