USMNT clinches World Cup knockout stage with win over Australia in Seattle
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A dream start for the United States Men’s National Team continued on Friday, and that dream will continue in the next round.
The United States World Cup team clinched its place in the knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle on Friday afternoon, its second win in as many matches at this World Cup.
The USA won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since the first World Cup in 1930.
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Team USA celebrates scoring a goal against Paraguay during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
The United States’ second World Cup match got off to a pretty familiar start. Flo Balugon’s pass hit Australia’s Cameron Burgess and headed towards goal, resulting in an own goal in the 10th minute and giving the Americans an early lead in the group stage match.
This was the first time in World Cup history that a team benefited from own goals in consecutive matches.
While the field remained tense after the first goal, the Stars and Stripes created several opportunities. Surprisingly, they were unable to get a shot on target for nearly 43 minutes.
However, the USA found the back of the goal in the 43rd minute after the free kick was stopped, and then Alex Freeman, son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, headed the ball. Officials initially ruled offside, but a VAR check reversed the call, sending Seattle’s Lumen Field into a frenzy and earning 21-year-old Freeman, the youngest player in the squad, his first World Cup goal.
Through the 71st minute, the United States had more than 60% of the ball, while Australia had approximately 30% of the ball.
The United States is now 11-2-1 when scoring first in the World Cup.
It was announced before the match that Christian Pulisic, who suffered a calf injury last week, would not play in the match. But the team was doing just fine without him.
Alex Freeman of the United States heads the ball past Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach during a World Cup Group D soccer match in Seattle on June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
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The team already has six goals in group matches, equaling the group stage record.
With its 2-0 performance, the USA ranks first with 6 points, while Australia ranks second with 3 points. Paraguay and Türkiye, who face each other on Friday to determine the fate of the USA in the group, cannot win with zero points.
If Paraguay beats or draws Türkiye, the USA will triumph in Group D and secure a favorable draw in the Round of 32; The match will start at 23:00 ET.
However, Türkiye’s loss may not actually affect the United States very negatively. Of course, they would be last in the group by three points; however, the USA will have the opportunity to rest many of their players – especially Pulisic – to provide an advantageous matchup for Türkiye to potentially qualify for the Round of 32.
Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson celebrate after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group D match between the United States and Australia on June 19, 2026 in Seattle. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)
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The top two placed athletes from each of the 12 groups advance, as well as the eight best third-placed athletes. So while the US can sit comfortably for its own sake, it could certainly get involved in some turmoil.
Whatever the situation, the USA will take the field against Türkiye in Los Angeles next Thursday.
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