The U.S. Men’s National Team delivered the first and last goal at Energizer Park on Tuesday night to keep its winning fall window going.
Mauricio Pochettino’s squad used goals from Sebastian Berhalter, Julian Hall, Chris Richards, and Mathis Albert to down Chile 4-2 in St. Louis, Missouri. The result extended the Americans’ unbeaten run against CONMEBOL opposition to seven matches, dating back to the 2024 Copa America.
Chile would pick up the pressure after a slow start and put the USMNT’s backline under real disarray.
Nils Reichmuth was denied by Chris Brady from point-blank range after Dario Osorio’s upfield pass caught Frankie Westfield out of position.
Ben Brereton Diaz and Dario Osorio would rattle posts from positive offensive chances, continuing a lively period of play for the visitors. Chile’s lack of finishing their chances though would come back to haunt them shortly after.
Berhalter netted his second goal of the window and fourth-career USMNT goal after delivering a clinical finish in the box. Sergino Dest received a pass from Gio Reyna and raced upfield before laying off a pass that Hall dummied, allowing Berhalter the chance to find the bottom-left corner.
Chile would respond before the interval after Diego Ulloa finished off a frantic period in the USMNT box.
A corner kick saw Brady deliver two punches into the air but the Americans failed to clear their lines, watching Ulloa eventually shoot into the back of the net.
Chile started the second half strong, grabbing a 2-1 lead and putting a first international goal past debutant Brian Schwake. Maxi Gutierrez raced up the left wing before cutting onto his right foot and powering a shot past a diving Schwake.
However, the CONMEBOL side’s lead would only last two minutes as Hall equalized with his second goal in as many matches. Reyna’s cross from the left wing allowed Hall to rise high and head home into the back of the net.
Pochettino went to his bench as the half went on, with Richards, Tyler Adams, and Malik Tillman among those to enter the match. Richards would go on to have a vital say in the final scoreline.
Berhalter’s corner kick in the 72nd minute was headed home by Richards, giving the Americans a second and final lead of the night. It marked Richards’ fourth international goal and Berhalter’s sixth USMNT assist.
Albert etched his name into the USMNT history books by icing the result with his first senior goal.
The Borussia Dortmund forward headed home off the crossbar, becoming the program’s youngest-ever goalscorer. Antonee Robinson’s free kick was headed back across the Chile box by Auston Trusty, allowing Albert to finish off the play with a confident finish.
Frustration boiled over for Chile as Leandro Hernandez took a poke at Schwake after the goalkeeper gathered a loose ball, leading to a fracas between both teams. Richards stepped into the face of Hernandez before both squads and coaching staffs raced onto the field to break up the altercation.
Both Richards and Hernandez were shown yellow cards, but the USMNT walked away as winners on the night.
Up next for the USMNT is a rivalry showdown with Mexico on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
