Team USA secured its place in the FIFA World Cup knockout round with a 2-0 victory over Australia in Group D on Friday at Seattle Stadium, clinching advancement after only two matches despite playing without injured forward Christian Pulisic.
It is the first time the United States has locked up a knockout berth so early in a World Cup. The last time the country hosted the tournament in 1994, the Americans had to advance as one of the best third-place finishers before losing to eventual champion Brazil in the round of 16.
Pulisic, who has scored 33 goals in 87 international appearances for the national team and plays for AC Milan, missed the match with a calf injury. His absence left a significant gap in the attack, but a deep roster more than covered it.
The first goal arrived in the 11th minute when Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the team’s 4-1 opening victory over Paraguay on 12 June, drove down the left sideline and delivered a centering pass toward striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in Pulisic’s place. The ball deflected off Australian defender Cameron Burgess and into the net for an own goal that gave the Americans the lead.
The second came in the 43rd minute from the youngest player on the squad. Alex Freeman, 21 and the son of Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, headed in a deflected set piece from Sergiño Dest for his first career World Cup goal, confirmed after a video review, to give the United States a 2-0 advantage they would not relinquish.
Pioneer Square, the neighbourhood closest to the stadium, erupted with celebrations following the final whistle as thousands of fans who had packed the area poured their energy into the streets.
With the win secured, attention turns to what comes next. A victory in their first knockout round match on 1 July would bring Team USA back to Seattle for a Round of 16 match on 6 July, giving the city a chance to host the national team in one of the tournament’s most consequential stages.
Upcoming Seattle Stadium matches:
Wednesday, 24 June at 12:00 p.m. PT: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar
Friday, 26 June at 8:00 p.m. PT: Egypt vs. Iran
Wednesday, 1 July at 1:00 p.m. PT: Round of 32
Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. PT: Round of 16
