Preview: Where to watch Saudi Arabia vs USMNT live on September 27, 2022

Topics: TV Schedules, Saudi Arabia, USMNT, International Friendly

The Stars and Stripes look to end the September international break on a bang before preparing for Qatar 2022. However, the North American giants haven't been in great form.

With the September international break coming to a wrap, the USMNT will play their final game for this month on Tuesday. The North Americans will be in action in a friendly, taking on Saudi Arabia in preparation for the highly-anticipated upcoming FIFA World Cup in fellow Middle-Eastern nation Qatar.

The Stars and Stripes will have one mission once the tournament gets underway on November 20: to do their nation proud after the embarrassment of failing to qualify for Russia 2018. However, Gregg Berhalter will have his work cut out after finishing third in the CONCACAF qualifiers, just narrowly escaping the fourth-placed inter-confederations playoffs.

While the Gold Cup holders haven't been placed in the toughest of groups, they will face substantial competition from England, Iran, and Wales for a spot in the round of 16, with the two European teams, in particular, being the favorites.

Additionally, Pulisic and Co. have endured a few hiccups in their preparatory fixtures. In their most recent outing, the USA were beaten 2-0 by Japan and were unable to lay a finger on the Samurai Blue despite enjoying the majority of possession, failing to land a shot on target against the Asian powerhouses.

Back in June, the USMNT drew 1-1 with El Salvador and were unable to beat Uruguay as well earlier that month, drawing with the South American heavyweights 0-0. With little time left, Berhalter will need to not only lift his team's performance but also get a good grasp as to who deserves a call-up to Qatar and who doesn't.

Fortunately for the Stars and Stripes, their opposition isn't in the greatest of form as well. Saudi Arabia, unlike the USA, qualified for 2018 after missing out on back-to-back tournaments in 2010 and 2014. However, the Middle-Eastern giants are in the midst of a barren run of their own.

Al-Suqour, or the Falcons in English, recently took on Ecuador, another nation that will be competing in Qatar 2022, and thus had the opportunity to test themselves against their potential rivals. Unfortunately, Herve Renard's men only managed a goalless draw.

Before that came encounters with Venezuela and Colombia back in June, with Saudi losing both those showdowns 1-0. In fact, their last victory came in their final FIFA World Cup qualifier, the memorable 1-0 triumph of Australia. Time will tell if the Saudis will end that run against the USA or fall short once more.

Team news

Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Al-Owais was impressive in goal against Ecuador and should retain his spot. Salem Al-Dawsari and Saleh Al-Shehri, two of Saudi's top scorers during the qualifiers, will be at the manager's disposal should the Gulf nation be in need of goals.

USA: Christian Pulisic missed the defeat to Japan after picking up a knock during training and could thus sit out this game. Josh Sargent made a triumphant return to the lineup in that defeat and will be hoping to maintain his spot while Leeds ace Brenden Aaronson will be looking to lead the line.

Key stats

This will be the first clash between these two countries since 1999.
That encounter took place at the FIFA Confederations Cup, with the USA winning 2-0.
Berhalter has overseen two previous games against Asian oppositions, beating Qatar before losing to Japan in their recent outing.