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A dream start for the US men’s national team continued Friday, and the dream continues into the next round.
The U.S. World Cup team clinched a spot in the knockout stages with its 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle on Friday afternoon, its second victory in as many games at this World Cup.
It is the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930 that the USA has won World Cup matches.
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Team USA celebrates a goal against Paraguay in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Photos)
The USA’s second World Cup game got off to an eerily familiar start. Flo Balugon’s pass hit Australia’s Cameron Burgess and was headed into the net, resulting in a 10th-minute own goal and giving the Americans an early lead in the group stage.
It was the first time in World Cup history that a team benefited from own goals in back-to-back games.
The pitch remained lopsided after the first goal, with the Stars and Stripes getting plenty of chances. Amazingly though, they didn’t have a shot on target for around 43 minutes.
But the U.S. found the back of the net late in the 43rd minute after a free kick was blocked and then Alex Freeman, son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, headed in a ball. Officials initially ruled offside, but a VAR review overturned the call, sending Seattle’s Lumen Field into a frenzy and giving Freeman, the youngest player in the World Cup at just 21 years old.
Through 71 minutes, the USA had the ball over 60% of the time, compared to almost 30% for Australia.
The USA is now 11-2-1 when scoring first in the World Cup.
It was announced before the match that Christian Pulisic would not take part in the match after sustaining a calf injury last week. However, the team managed quite well without him.
USA’s Alex Freeman heads the ball past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach after a goal during the World Cup Group D match in Seattle on June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
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The team already has six goals in the group stage, which brings the record in the group stage.
With its 2-0 record, the USA is in first place with six points, while Australia remains with three and in second place. Both Paraguay and Turkey, who face each other on Friday to potentially decide the USA’s group fate, are winless with zero points.
The U.S. would clinch a Group D win and a favorable tie in the round of 32 if Paraguay either beats or holds with Turkey — that game kicks off at 11 p.m. ET.
But a Turkey loss cannot actually affect the US too negatively. Sure, they would be bottom of the group with three points; but the US would be able to rest many of its players – namely Pulisic – to give Turkey a favorable matchup to potentially grab a round of 32 spot.
Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group D match between the USA and Australia in Seattle on June 19, 2026. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)
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The two best from each of the 12 groups advance, as well as the eight best third places. So while the US may be able to sit comfortably for its own sake, it could certainly be involved in some chaos.
Regardless of the case, the United States will take the court back in Los Angeles against Turkey next Thursday.
