USMNT vs. Saudi Arabia score: USA limp to scoreless draw in last friendly ahead of November's World Cup

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In the team's final match before the World Cup, the United States drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia in Murcia, Spain on Tuesday behind a strong showing from Matt Turner in net as he battles for the number one shirt.

It was a chance for the United States to enter Qatar with momentum but with Gio Reyna leaving after only 30 minutes of action as a precaution and another disappointing showing from Ricardo Pepi, more questions than answers remain. The expectation was that Christian Pulisic's return to the lineup would see the attack improve from their 2-0 loss to Japan, and while it did statistically, with seven shots, four on target, it wasn't good enough to secure a victory over Saudi Arabia. 

The match started brightly with the trio of Sergino Dest, Weston Mckennie and Christian Pulisic making inventive runs but outside of the trio, the attack was nowhere to be found. Pepi was unable to check his runs to stay onside or get onto the end of crosses in the air while the loss of Dest's crossing ability on the right was drastic with DeAndre Yedlin deputizing there. 

After the match, Berhalter was happy with the performance but not the execution, saying that timing was an issue. With the amount of rotation that the team has faced, there hasn't been much time for his best lineup to gel together which clearly contributed to Pepi's issues with getting on the end of runs during the match. Key cogs like Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, and Yunus Musah have all missed time during the last few international windows so it's fair for the team's timing to be off but it also shows how fragile their depth pieces are with only 55 days to go until the World Cup.

Next, the U.S. face Wales in their Group B opener on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. ET.

Here are a few takeaways from the match:

Learn from mistakes, don't dwell on them

After only registering two shots on target in 180 minutes of soccer during this international break, you couldn't ask for a flatter showing from the national team attackers. But there is time to improve before kicking off the World Cup against Wales in November in Qatar. If players like Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, and Luca de la Torre can use this camp as inspiration to kick on and earn starting spots at their respective clubs, things could be quite different a few months from now. Combined, the trio has only played 536 minutes this season for club and country which is fewer minutes than Tyler Adams has logged for Leeds United (540) this season. Berhalter needs his best players actually playing minutes before the World Cup because the preparation time between coming together for camp and kicking off against wales won't be enough time to get up to speed when it comes to decision making. That can only come via minutes that they need to earn at their respective clubs. 

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Stock down for depth options

Over these two matches, it has become crystal clear that the depth options on the national team aren't good enough if regulars go down. There is depth in attack if someone like Josh Sargent is called upon instead of Pepi but after the primary trio in midfield, no one has stepped up. Berhalter has been reluctant to use Reyna and Aaronson in deeper positions and he still hasn't given Jordan Pefok a fair run as a backup forward to have a change of pace heading into Qatar. When Berhalter's plan relies on starting players that he has admitted that he may not have at the World Cup, concern it's reasonable to be concerned if the team will make it out of the group stage. The best managers are able to tweak things when their system isn't working but Berhalter has shown reluctance to make those shifts and the players won't make them without him making the call.

What a difference midfield balance makes

While the attack wasn't great, the defense did their job stopping Saudi Arabia in key spots. Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman were more confident at the back knowing that the midfield wouldn't get overrun while Dest and Yedlin also made key stops on the flanks. Acosta and Adams provide a security blanket for the defense but then have the added issue that they stifle the build up in attack. The team needs Robinson back as soon as possible because Yedlin's crosses were more likely to connect with a Saudi Arabia defender than a United States attacker but he did the job when called upon in defense. It won't be pretty but it feels like Berhatler's back line of Robinson, Long, Zimmerman and Dest is set leaving three positions open ahead of the World Cup. Those are keeper where Turner leads, forward where Ferreira leads and the right wing where it seems like Tim Weah may have an advantage.

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That didn't go according to plan

A 0-0 draw against a Saudi Arabia side that has gone four matches without scoring a goal while losing two of those matches was all that the United States could muster in the match. The Green Falcons were the more dangerous team in the match but the United States has a lot to work on between now and the World Cup.

September 27, 2022, 7:53 PM
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More changes as the USMNT looks for a spark

Brenden Aaronson and Makil Tillman have come in and Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie have left the pitch. It was a good showing early for Pulisc and McKennie but the luster has worn off as the match grows. 25 minutes left.

September 27, 2022, 7:35 PM
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Matt Turner has been called into action again

Mark McKenzie's giveaway gave Saudi Arabia another good chance on what has been a mostly quiet day for Turner but he was there for a strong save again. Is Turner earning the number one shirt?

September 27, 2022, 7:29 PM
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A flurry of changes brings fresh legs for Saudi Arabia

The United States had a little joy but since Saudia Arabia made their chances, momentum has shifted in their direction.

September 27, 2022, 7:27 PM
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Better from Ferreira

Arriola created the chance and the United State put their second shot on target in the 60th minute of the match. It has been a sloppy second half so far but things may improve with fresh legs on the pitch. Joe Scally came in for DeAndre Yedlin while Mark McKenzie came in for Aaron Long.

September 27, 2022, 7:20 PM
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Finally, a card has been issued

After a late hit on DeAndre Yedlin by Saud Abdulhamid he has been given a yellow card. If it wasn't a friendly, Saudi Arabia would be down to ten players.

September 27, 2022, 7:15 PM
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Changes are needed and they're coming 

Joe Scally, Mark McKenzie, and Jesus Ferreira are all preparing to come into the match. Ricardo Pepi will likely leave the match but Berhalter has options with which defenders to sub out.

September 27, 2022, 7:14 PM
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According to the broadcast, Reyna's withdrawal was precautionary

With his injury history, it's good to hear that there is nothing serious and that he knows his body well enough to leave a match before suffering another serious injury.

September 27, 2022, 7:05 PM
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After the first half, its level 

But there's concern over why Gio Reyna left the match. Hopefully, more news will come out but the team will also need improvement at striker as Ricardo Pepi still didn't touch the ball enough to make a difference.

September 27, 2022, 6:54 PM
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More highlights from off the pitch

September 27, 2022, 6:40 PM
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Please no more injuries

After taking a knock during a challenge, Tyler Adams is now down on the ground but will continue in the match. When one of the primary goals for the team is to not get injured, could this first half see Berhalter remove some key starters at the half?

September 27, 2022, 6:38 PM
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The first sub will see Paul Arriola enter

Gio Reyna will depart after only 30 minutes of action in what was hopefully a planned substitution. Arriola will likely play the rest of the match on the wing considering this removes one of the three substitution windows.

September 27, 2022, 6:32 PM
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Look who popped down from Valencia!

It's a Yunus Musah sighting! 

September 27, 2022, 6:30 PM
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Is this a match where Josh Sargent could be needed?

The United States are getting good chances but they haven't been able to play through Ricardo Pepi as he had been lost early in the match. Even on a good shot from Tyler Adams, the pass was meant for Pepi who was in no man's land. Not looking great early when he was included over in form forwards.

September 27, 2022, 6:25 PM
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Chance for Pulisic 

He may have taken his chance too quickly wasting a chance at goal but these are the things that will wear off as Pulisic is on the pitch more. 17 minutes in the United States are still trying to put the finishing touch onto good chances that are being created.

September 27, 2022, 6:20 PM
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McKennie is continuing to get into space

It doesn't feel like it will be long before this results in a goal as the United States are applying pressure. Saudi Arabia are dominating possession but it is in areas that the USMNT would like them to have the ball.

September 27, 2022, 6:13 PM
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Late flag but the United States are getting forward

Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic's partnership on the left almost led to a goal but Ricardo Pepi's pass was just a little late causing the flag to come up. How quickly the United States can move the ball through Saudi Arabia will be critical as the defense has already been tested six minutes into the match. 

September 27, 2022, 6:07 PM
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Matt Turner is tested early

Only 25 seconds into the match, Turner was tested with a cross and came up with a good save again. Picking up where he left off against Japan but hopefully, he isn't called into action as much in this match.

September 27, 2022, 6:03 PM
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Score update

Saudi Arabia 0, United States 0 (2H)

September 27, 2022, 6:01 PM
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Five minutes until kickoff

Hopefully, the United States can get a shot on target in the match en route to a better result than playing Japan.

September 27, 2022, 5:55 PM
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There won't be pressure from the crowd 

September 27, 2022, 5:47 PM
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It all comes full circle

Saudi Arabia is the team that Gregg Berhalter made his international debut against back in 1994. Now, the Green Falcons will be the final test for the USMNT to head to the World Cup. 

September 27, 2022, 5:40 PM
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What is Gregg Berhalter's best lineup?

Before the match, Berhalter had an interesting quote leading to a look into how the USMNT would line up if the World Cup began today.

"Ideally, in a perfect world, I have an idea. But one thing I know is, that's not international soccer, so do I think that I have the best players in each position identified yet? Yes, I do. But do I think they're all going to be available for the start of the World Cup? I don't know," Berhalter said. "That's what every international manager will be dealing with right now. We'll be holding our breath hoping that that's the case. But even in this camp, we're missing five starters. So it is what it is and you just have to roll with it. You can't use it as an excuse and what you need to do is give the players that are here confidence instead of worrying about the players that aren't here."

September 27, 2022, 5:30 PM
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It's a big cap for DeAndre Yedlin

September 27, 2022, 5:20 PM
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The difference in midfield

Kellyn Acosta comes in for Luca de la Torre and while he isn't as dynamic moving the ball forward, Berhalter knows what he will get from the LAFC man. Covering when Sergino Dest goes forward from left back, Acosta and Tyler Adams will form a defensive shield to protect Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman while ensuring that Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna won't have to track back. This likely sees Joe Scally's stock fall but with so many right backs, it's likely that Dest was Berhalter's preferred backup at left back all along.

September 27, 2022, 5:15 PM
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Something different from the United States today

Starting XI: 1-Matt Turner, 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 4-Tyler Adams, 5-Aaron Long, 8-Weston McKennie, 10-Christian Pulisic (capt.), 19-Ricardo Pepi, 21-Gio Reyna, 22-DeAndre Yedlin, 23-Kellyn Acosta

Substitutes: 18-Ethan Horvath, 25-Sean Johnson, 6-Sam Vines, 7-Paul Arriola, 9-Jesús Ferreira, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Erik Palmer-Brown, 13-Jordan Morris, 14-Luca de la Torre, 15-Johnny Cardoso, 16-Mark McKenzie, 17-Malik Tillman, 24-Josh Sargent, 26-Joe Scally

September 27, 2022, 5:09 PM
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In Soccer we Trust previewed the match with Tim Howard

September 27, 2022, 5:05 PM
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Saudi Arabia's lineup is live

Starters: Alyami, Alghannam, Alabulayhi, Abdulhamid, Alhassan, Sharahili, Aldawsari, Alneji, Albrikan, Bahbri

Reserves: Alqarni, Alaqidi, Madu, Altambakti, Bamasoud, Alnashri, Kanno, Alabid, Almuwallad, Asiri, Camara

September 27, 2022, 5:04 PM
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USMNT team news

Defender Reggie Cannon will miss the match due to a groin strain. After the team's showing against Japan, the need for a positive result has grown but external stress isn't lost on Berhalter.

"It is a young team and at this moment, anytime in the last camp, before the World Cup, there's stress involved and there are outside factors that affect performance," Berhalter said. "I think we should at least acknowledge that and say that the guys were tense in this game. and it's our job as coaches to put them at ease and help them perform, and that's what we're focused on."

Berhalter will need to make sure he selects a team that can cope with that pressure going into this match as the last thing that a young team needs is a bad result lingering for two months. While calling it a friendly a must-win may be raising the stakes too much, it is certainly critical to get a positive result in Spain for chemistry and momentum. 

September 27, 2022, 5:00 PM
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The USMNT must improve

September 27, 2022, 4:53 PM
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