Dominant USA breeze past Australia to seal World Cup knockout spot… as Seattle goes wild and fans start to dream big

A big step towards the knockout rounds was made and a giant question was answered: How would the USA fare without Christian Pulisic’s injury? Apparently it’s fine. Instead they will create new heroes.

One of Alex Freeman’s team-mates has admitted he had ‘no idea’ who the defender was before being called up for the first time by Mauricio Pochettino. Shortly before halftime of this victory over Australia, the 21-year-old, whose father Antonio Freeman won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers, made sports history of his own.

His goal sealed a 2-0 victory that allowed the USA to advance to the round of 32 with a game to spare. They are also preparing to come out on top in Group D. What a great support Pochettino’s project is.

He worked tirelessly to change the culture of this USA team and encourage the country to dream big. Why not us? Pochettino asked. Although the United States hasn’t made it past the quarterfinals since 1930, the next problem may be limiting expectations.

After America opened the tournament with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay, it was another terrific performance, starting with an own goal from Cameron Burgess before Villarreal’s Freeman headed home. Now the USMNT can head into a clash with Türkiye next week knowing they are a serious force even without Pulisic and his crafty calf.

Pochettino confirmed the bad news almost two hours before kick-off; The winger, who had been training alone but had kept us guessing all week, was out. Pulisic, who was substituted in the first half against Paraguay, was not even eligible for the bench.

The defender doubled America’s lead over Australia by heading home shortly before halftime

Cameron Burgess own goal puts USA on course for victory in Seattle

So along came Ricardo Pepi. The striker, who came close to joining Fulham earlier this year, had huge boots to fill given how devastating Pulisic was in the first 45 minutes of the World Cup at home.

That night, Folarin Balogun took advantage of the corset. Here he turned into a creator. It was the striker who unlocked Australia early with a devastating run down the left flank that saw Burgess back into the box. Was Balogun’s low cross all he could do? Redirect it to the roof of your network.

For the second game in a row, the USA profited with an early own goal. Nothing like this has ever happened in the World Cup. But it would be unfair to accuse this US team of being lucky. They forced the opponent to make mistakes with the speed and fluency in their offensive games.

Pochettino’s team might have been ahead even before Freeman’s goal. The likes of Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest were wreaking havoc in the Australian half.

And shortly before the break, it was Dest’s shot that led to the USA’s second. His shot from the edge of the box deflected into the Seattle sky before Freeman nodded. He was initially flagged for offside, but VAR intervened and emptied the US bench in celebration.

‘I looked back and saw all my teammates running towards me and I said: ‘Oh my god!’ Freeman said after the match: ‘This made me very emotional.’

It was the same way here, 30 years after his father scored two goals in Seattle. “For me, this is such a family moment,” Freeman said. ‘This just shows how great he can be, but I can be great in my own way too. ‘This shows how amazing it is to have a father who is successful and can mentor me to be ready for moments like these.’

An American analyst sparked a war of words that led to this play after calling it a ‘turnstile’ for the United States. An Australian player said he has never wanted to win a game more.

USMNT coped perfectly without Christian Pulisic, who missed the match with a calf injury

Win takes Mauricio Pochettino’s side into the knockout stages with a game to spare

All is well and good. What’s more difficult? Finding a way to stop Pochettino, who looks to be one of the most successful and destructive teams of this World Cup.

Australia posed a much bigger threat in the second half following the introduction of Nestory Irankunda, who strangely started on the bench. However, the US rear guard, considered this side’s Achilles heel, stood firm. Chris Richards, in particular, put in a tremendous performance as America started the tournament with its first clean sheet.

They gathered at the foot of the Harbor Steps, just steps from the waterfront and fish markets in downtown Seattle. Were they dressed in revolutionary garb and led by four men on horseback from the advanced party? US Soccer CEO JT Batson and Donald Trump’s World Cup chief Andrew Giuliani.

A few hours before kickoff, thousands of USMNT fans marched as one towards Lumen Field. There are many places in the United States where it can feel like the World Cup is being held somewhere else. This is not one of them. This is the beating heart of the sport in America, and even before Balogun and Co were let loose, the atmosphere was electric.

After the final whistle, this crowd of 67,000 – minus their pockets of gold – serenaded Pochettino’s team as they embarked on a lap of honour.

Few people know more about putting the human body through hell than Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, still a fitness freak at 72, was among the crowd in Seattle. How he would enjoy watching this USMNT undergo such a physical test.

U.S. players have faced questions about Australia’s heavy-handed style all week; The last time these two teams met, Pochettino took his side and questioned their fight. “We’re Americans, we don’t have sex,” he told them. There is no such concern about their courage here.

Thousands of USMNT fans march together to Lumen Field ahead of Friday’s match against Seattle

In Super Bowl XXXI, Freeman’s father, Antonio, kicked an 81-yard field goal for the Packers

They were on the wrong side of some brutal challenges. It could have been worse; If Australia could get closer to the USA at certain periods of this game.

‘It was an extremely tough match, very physical,’ Balogun said. ‘I think the referee did his best to contain it. But this is a World Cup. Therefore, it is to be expected that passion sometimes overflows. But I think we kept our composure. “We gave a truly professional performance.”

Heading into 2025, Alex Freeman had played just 16 minutes of senior football. His international debut came just a year before the start of this World Cup. He is now a key cog in Pochettino’s side. “It’s hard for me to accept everything,” Freeman said. ‘But I also think it’s good to overcome these challenges so quickly at such a young age.’

Freeman, who is a right-back on paper, moves into the back three when the ball is in the USA’s possession. He made an excellent defensive move here early on. He was also tasked with providing his own offensive thrust; it was his third international goal.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that he’s such a good athlete given his background. But he is quickly becoming one of the breakout stars of this USA team. Come to think of it, Freeman was afraid to speak to his agent when he met Pochettino.

He now plays with a confidence and composure that defies his age. When Freeman filmed Stars and Stripes for the first time, his father’s eyes filled with tears. Thanks to Penny for her thoughts on Friday.