Despite Christian Pulisic’s absence, US beats Australia 2-0 to advance to World Cup knockout round
- On Friday, the United States men's national team defeated Australia 2-0 at Seattle Stadium, clinching a World Cup knockout round spot for the first time after just two group-stage matches.
- Despite injured forward Christian Pulisic missing the match due to a calf injury, head coach Mauricio Pochettino started striker Ricardo Pepi in his place, maintaining the same lineup that won 4-1 over Paraguay.
- Folarin Balogun's 11th-minute run forced Australian defender Cameron Burgess to score an own goal. Alex Freeman headed in a second goal just before halftime, with VAR confirming the goal after an initial offside ruling was overturned.
- With six points atop Group D, the U.S. has secured a knockout berth and can clinch the group title with a result against Turkiye next Thursday in Los Angeles.
- Scoring six goals across two games, the squad has matched the nation's 1930 performance of winning both opening World Cup matches, marking unprecedented dominance in early tournament play.
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U.S. Mens National Team wins consecutive World Cup games for first time since 1930, one goal away from record
Christian Pulisic’s injury absence didn’t hurt the United States one bit. The Americans advanced to the knockout round of the World Cup without their injured star forward, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday for their second straight victory in the expanded 48-team tournament. The U.S. then won Group D when Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 early Saturday morning. “C.P. is a fantastic player — the quality and the leadership that he gives us,” said Folarin Ba…
WORLD CUP DAILY, June 20: U.S. beats Australia; 4 matches Saturday involve Germany, Sweden - Northern Sentinel
Daily FIFA World Cup match updates and news for Black Press Media publications. There were four World Cup matches Friday and another four Saturday as group play continues at stadiums in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Friday, the U.S. topped Australia 2-0 in Seattle in the day’s first game, with Alex Freeman finding the back of the net in the 43rd minute, after Australia’s Cameron Burgess booted the ball into his own goal 11 minutes in. THE GOAL S…
WORLD CUP DAILY, June 20: U.S. beats Australia; 4 matches Saturday involve Germany, Sweden - The Northern View
Daily FIFA World Cup match updates and news for Black Press Media publications. There were four World Cup matches Friday and another four Saturday as group play continues at stadiums in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Friday, the U.S. topped Australia 2-0 in Seattle in the day’s first game, with Alex Freeman finding the back of the net in the 43rd minute, after Australia’s Cameron Burgess booted the ball into his own goal 11 minutes in. THE GOAL S…
United States Tops Group D After Clean Sheet Win at Lumen Field
SEATTLE — The United States Men’s National Team clinched first place in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a disciplined 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday night at Lumen Field. An own goal by Australian defender Cameron Burgess in the 11th minute and a header from Alex Freeman just before halftime gave the USMNT all three points. Combined with Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Türkiye later that night, the result secured top spot in the group for …
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