The United States is on a roll! The USMNT is up 2-0 at the half against Australia after a second goal was scored just minutes before halftime. Folarin Balogun helped set up the first goal, which ended up being an own goal by Cameron Burgess.
The second goal was a thing of beauty. A free kick was awarded after Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman caught the Aussies lacking. As a result, Weston McKennie launched a try at the keeper that was blocked, but Alex Freeman stayed onside for a header into the back of the net. There was nothing keeper Patrick Beach could do.
THE USA SCORES AGAIN
Alex Freeman heads it in and after a VAR review, it was ruled that Freeman WAS onside and the goal counts!
pic.twitter.com/VcJd9nf3ZA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 19, 2026
Freeman was inches away from being offside, which was the call originally on the pitch. VAR overturned the call.
The United States managed to keep Australia scoreless in the first half, which ended up lasting 52 minutes. Australia had a few chances near the net and one very early in the match, but none were a real threat. Keeper Matt Freese wants that clean sheet badly, and that is something he is accustomed to, with three in 15 starts early in the 2026 MLS season.
Here are the clinching scenarios for the Americans if they beat Australia in roughly one hour. A win would give them a pass to the KO for the first time ever after just two World Cup group stage matches. To make matters even better, if Turkiye does not beat Paraguay later on Friday, then the USA will win the group before the third match even begins.
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