USMNT defeats Chile 4-2 in St. Louis amid late-stage altercation
The United States men's national soccer team beat 49th-ranked Chile 4-2 in St. Louis, with goals from Sebastian Berhalter, Julian Hall, Chris Richards and 17-year-old Mathis Albert, who became the youngest US scorer. The match ended with a bench-clearing confrontation after a late challenge on goalkeeper Brian Schwake.
The United States men’s national team secured a 4-2 victory over Chile in St. Louis on Tuesday, using a mix of regulars and newcomers. Sebastian Berhalter opened the scoring in the 37th minute and later provided the assist for Chris Richards’ 72nd-minute winner from a corner. Julian Hall headed in the second goal before halftime, while 17-year-old Mathis Albert added a stoppage-time insurance tally, becoming the youngest scorer in USMNT history.
Chile, ranked 49th, responded twice, first equalising before the break after a corner scramble and then taking the lead early in the second half when Maximilliano Gutiérrez finished a rebound. The United States restored the lead through Hall’s header and Richards’ finish.
The match ended in a heated incident when Chilean forward Leandro Hernández kicked the ball at US goalkeeper Brian Schwake after Schwake fell on the ball in stoppage time. US defender Chris Richards confronted Hernández, prompting both benches to clear and US manager Mauricio Pochettino to intervene.
"We have each other’s back. We have 26 guys that are ready to be there at any moment," Berhalter told TNT after the game.
"He is a player that the commitment, the energy, everything he does is for the badge, for the national team, for the teammates," Pochettino said of Berhalter.
Chile’s interim coach Nicolás Córdova, who was without captain Gabriel Suazo, noted the squad is undergoing a generational transition ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The United States will conclude the international window with matches against Mexico in Phoenix on Oct. 3 and Canada in St. Paul on Oct. 9.