USMNT Player Ratings: Chris Richards steps up against Saudi Arabia

The United States advanced to the Gold Cup knockout rounds with an ugly 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. It wasn't pretty, but it got the job done.

We're breaking down each individual performance from the match.

Recap: USMNT grind out ugly win against Saudi Arabia

The United States secure a spot in the Gold Cup knockout rounds in a frustrating match

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

Matt Freese - 6.5

Once again, Matt Freese only had to make a single save. He was calm with his distribution, though, and hasn't looked out of place with this team. Will likely be tested more in the knockout rounds.

Stock: Unchanged

Max Arfsten - 6.0

Max Arfsten was the focal point of the attack in the first half, asked to hug the touchline and receive the ball in isolation, with the apparent plan of just making something happen. Without many passing options nearby, Arfsten struggled, losing possession 18 times in the first half. He was better after the break, though, and it's hard to blame him too much for a tactical setup that didn't put many players in their best spots.

Stock: Unchanged

Tim Ream - 7.0

The Charlotte FC center back is still a massive positive for this team in possession, and his passing was crucial. Overall, though, a quiet night.

Stock: Unchanged

Chris Richards - 8.5

Chris Richards was the most important player on the pitch for the USMNT. His distribution was tidy and he made a crucial intervention in the first half to deny Saudi Arabia an easy goal.

At the other end, he stepped up after missing an easy header, converting a difficult left-footed volley for the game's only goal, locking in a spot in the quarterfinals in the process. He's finally starting to translate his form with Crystal Palace to the international level and looks completely undroppable.

Stock: Up

Alex Freeman - 6.5

The young Orlando City defender struggled in the first half, once again playing in a new role as a right center back in possession. On one occasion he made a risky step into midfield and was caught completely out of position, bailed out by an incredible tackle from Chris Richards.

He improved in the second half, pushed into a more natural advanced role. He managed a few gorgeous passes to play Damion Downs and Patrick Agyemang in behind the backline. Overall, not the best night for the youngster, but he improved as the match went on.

Stock: Unchanged

Luca de la Torre - 6.0

Luca de la Torre struggled to make a significant impact on this match. He was typically clean receiving the ball, but wasn't able to advance through Saudi Arabia's midfield with any semblance of consistency.

Stock: Unchanged

Sebastian Berhalter -7.0

The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder was rather sloppy on the ball in the first half, but improved dramatically in the second. On the ball, he dropped onto the right side of a back three and did decently well to progress the ball from a much deeper role. His set-piece delivery was solid, and he set up the match-winning goal.

Stock: Up

Diego Luna - 6.0

Diego Luna had his quietest night in a United States shirt. Like most of the team, he struggled to stand out in the first half. And like the rest of the team, he improved in the second, finally able to get on the ball in dangerous spots. He had a few moments where he was able to drive at a retreating backline, but didn't have his usual impact in the final third.

Stock: Unchanged

Malik Tillman - 5.5

The PSV attacker was a spectator in the first half. He got on the ball more in the second, especially once playing in an attacking trio next to Damion Downs and Patrick Agyemang, but his inconsistency on the ball was painful. Had a huge chance to play Downs in on goal, but overhit what should have been a routine pass. After a breakout against Trinidad, this was a night to forget.

Stock: Unchanged

Jack McGlynn - 5.5

It's hard to give Jack McGlynn an accurate grade in this one. Asked to operate as a field-stretching right wingback in the first half, the Houston Dynamo midfielder was painfully miscast and understandably had little impact.

He improved quickly in his 15 minutes in the second half, allowed to come into a more natural, central role, but was hauled off just as he started to really impact the match.

Stock: Unchanged

Patrick Agyemang - 5.0

The Charlotte FC striker is clearly still a work in progress. On one hand, he works incredibly hard and is a physical nightmare for opposing defenders. On the other, his movement is still raw and he often struggles to make the right decisions on the ball. Those shortcomings were on full display on Thursday, and he looked off the pace for most of the night.

Stock: Down

Substitutes

Tyler Adams - 6.5

Back from injury, the Bournemouth midfielder came on for the final 30 minutes and brought some needed composure and quality to the USMNT midfield.

Stock: Unchanged

Damion Downs - 7.0

The FC Köln attacker opened up the match in the second half, pulling apart the Saudi Arabia backline with his pace and well-timed inside-out runs. He got himself into great spots, and deserved better service to see what he could do in front of goal.

Stock: Up

Brenden Aaronson - N/A

The elder Aaronson brother ran about a lot in his 14-minute shift and brought some needed energy to the game.

Stock: Unchanged

Miles Robinson - N/A

The defender came on in the last minute to shore up the win.

Stock: Unchanged

Johnny Cardoso - N/A

Like Robinson, Johnny Cardoso came on with just a minute to play and had no time to affect the match.

Stock: Unchanged

Manager

Mauricio Pochettino - 5.0

The structure in the first half was really confusing, putting players in roles that didn't suit them and making the entire 45 minutes feel disjointed and chaotic. His substitutions in the second half improved the game, but it begs the question why he insisted on using players like Alex Freeman and Jack McGlynn in roles that diminish their skillsets.

Stock: Down