US reaches World Cup knockout round
and wins its group with 2nd straight victory, 2-0 over Australia
[June 20, 2026]
By ANDREW DESTIN
SEATTLE (AP) — Christian Pulisic’s injury absence didn’t hurt the
United States one bit.
The Americans advanced to the knockout round of the World Cup
without their injured star forward, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday
for their second straight victory in the expanded 48-team
tournament. The U.S. then won Group D when Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0
early Saturday morning.
“C.P. is a fantastic player — the quality and the leadership that he
gives us,” said Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1
victory over Paraguay on June 12. “We didn’t have him today, but I
think you saw we’re still capable to go out there and get a result
and put up a performance.”
As the Group D winner, the U.S. will play a round-of-32 match on
July 1 in Santa Clara, California, against a third-place group
finisher.
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international
appearances, missed Friday’s match because of a calf injury.
Playing without a talent like Pulisic could have derailed previous
American World Cup teams. But much has changed since the last time
the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, when it advanced by being one
of the best third-place teams. The Americans lost to eventual
champion Brazil in the round of 16.
The U.S. has won consecutive games at a World Cup for the first time
since 1930. The Americans have scored six goals, one off their
record for a World Cup, and received contributions throughout their
roster.
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and the son of
former NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman,
made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute off a set piece. Freeman headed in a
deflected shot by Sergiño Dest for his first career World Cup goal.
The goal was confirmed after a video review.
“(He) is doing a fantastic job,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said of
Freeman. “The evolution is massive. He’s so humble. He wants to
learn. He always listens. He’s a player that you really enjoy being
with him. Not only coaching, but being with him.”
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the
left sideline by Balogun.
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United States' Alex Freeman (16) scores their second goal during the
World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and
Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey
Wasson)
He directed a centering pass toward striker Ricardo
Pepi, who started in place of Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi,
deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the
Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
“I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” Balogun
said. “It might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force
an error that gives us the lead, then for me it's like a goal as
well. It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum.”
The Americans did not score after halftime, but the way they so
thoroughly dominated Australia in the opening 45 minutes left an
impression on Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“It did not surprise us because their quality is clear,” Popovic
said. “Their power is clear. Their athleticism is clear. They are
not surprising in what they did.”
Expectations will only increase for the U.S. as momentum builds
around the team. The Americans' start to the tournament has not
changed Pochettino's perception of his squad and its potential.
“I think it’s much better when you show good performances and win
the games,” Pochettino said. “I think that makes it easier,
everything. But, at the same time, it’s (important) to keep
believing.”
The U.S. learned it can get out of the group stage without Pulisic.
And it has the roster to make a deep run.
“We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can
contribute in the game,” Freeman said. “For us it was, we have
Ricardo Pepi, who came in and had an amazing game. I think that just
shows how (good) our roster is.”
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