The United States is celebrating once again following their second victory in the World Cup. They earned a 2-0 triumph over Australia, and that means the Americans have gotten out of the Group stage of the tournament and will play in the knockout round of the tournament regardless of what happens in their game next week against Turkiye.
HUGE win for USA
@JennyTaft spoke with @USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino after the win over Australia pic.twitter.com/DWIGeXOAM2
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026
The United States could clinch first place in Group D if Paraguay defeats or ties Turkiye in Friday night’s match. If not, the United States will win the Group competition with a draw against Turkiye.
The U.S. prevailed against a physical group of Australians even though star attacker Christian Pulisic did not play. He has not fully recovered the left calf injury he suffered in the earlier World Cup victory over Portugal.
U.S. national head coach Mauricio Pochettino said there are no guarantees that Pulisic will be able in the third and final game of the Group stage of the tournament.
“He’s an important player for us, Christian, but it was impossible today for him to play,” Pochettino said after the victory. “We hope that next game he will be available but if we want to win the competition we need the whole team and all the players need to be important.”
Both of the U.S. goals came in the first half. The Americans controlled play in the early part of the game and they forced an own goal at the 11-minute mark. Alex Freeman, the son of former Green Bay Packers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Freeman, scored the other goal as he headed in the rebound of a shot by Sergino Dest’s shot from outside the box.
Australia tried to play an edgy, tough game in the second half, but the Sockeroos could not keep U.S goalie Matt Freese from having a clean sheet.
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