USA vs. Saudi Arabia live score, updates, highlights as Pulisic, Pepi start in final USMNT friendly before World Cup

Gregg Berhalter and the USA take the field for the final time before the 2022 World Cup as they match up against Saudi Arabia for an international friendly in Murcia, Spain.

The USMNT was well beaten by fellow World Cup opposition Japan last time out, falling to a 2-0 defeat as the Asian side pressed them hard and forced the U.S. into numerous turnovers.

They’ll be expected to bounce back against Saudi Arabia, but Japan finished behind the Saudi team in Asian World Cup qualifying and lost to them in Jeddah.

It would obviously serve the U.S. well to head into the World Cup on the back of a win, but fans will probably spend the next two months worrying no matter Tuesday’s result.

The Sporting News will be following the USA-Saudi Arabia match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

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

USA vs. Saudi Arabia live score

Goals:
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USA vs. Saudi Arabia live updates, highlights from friendly

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.

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.

Guessing crowd here will be 1,000 or less. Been very, very weird atmosphere vibes for the final two friendlies before a World Cup.

— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) September 27, 2022

Today’s setting 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/xL8yeyqH5N

— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 27, 2022

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.

“We just want to see Ricardo Pepi to continue to do what he’s done for us in the past.”@JennyTaft talks with Gregg Berhalter before the @USMNT takes on Saudi Arabia 🇺🇸🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/lJOlfQ52RA

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 27, 2022

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.

75 – DeAndre Yedlin is the 32nd player to reach 75 appearances for the @USMNT, but the first since Jozy Altidore in 2014 (31 from 1993 to 2014). Gap. pic.twitter.com/c8zzYDx4Qz

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) September 27, 2022

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.

Gregg Berhalter says in a perfect world, he knows his starting 11 to play Wales for the first match of the World Cup. He adds that injuries may impede that 11.

“Even in this camp, we’re missing 5 starters”. #USMNT

— Meg Swanick (@Meg_Swanick) September 26, 2022

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 Robinson, Cameron 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.