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A dream start for the United States Men’s National Team continued on Friday, and the dream will continue in the next round.
Team USA clinched a spot in the knockout stage 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 United States has won consecutive World Cup games.
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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. (Images by Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn)
The United States’ second World Cup match had an awfully familiar start. Flo Balugon’s pass hit Australian Cameron Burgess and was directed into the net, resulting in an own goal in the 10th minute and giving the Americans an early lead in the group stage matchup.
It was the first time in World Cup history that a team benefited from own goals in consecutive matches.
The field was tilted after the first goal, and the Stars and Stripes had many opportunities. Surprisingly, however, they failed to get a shot on goal for approximately 43 minutes.
But the United States found the back of the net at the end of that 43rd minute after a free kick was saved, and then Alex Freeman, the son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, headed a ball in. The referees initially ruled offside, but a VAR review reversed the decision, sparking a frenzy at Seattle’s Lumen Field and giving Freeman, the youngest player in the squad at just 21, his first World Cup goal.
For 71 minutes, the United States had possession of the ball for more than 60% of the time, compared to almost 30% for Australia.
The United States is now 11-2-1 when scoring first in the World Cup.
It was announced before the match that Christian Pulisic would not be playing after suffering a calf injury last week. However, the team was doing quite well without him.
Alex Freeman of the United States heads the ball past Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Seattle on June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
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The team has already scored six goals in the group stage, tying its record in the group stage.
With its record of 2-0, the United States is in first place with six points, while Australia remains with three and in second place. Both Paraguay and Türkiye, who meet on Friday to potentially determine the fate of the United States group, are winless and have zero points.
The United States would achieve a victory in Group D and a favorable tie in the round of 32, if Paraguay wins or draws with Türkiye; that game starts at 11 pm ET.
However, a Turkish loss may not actually affect the United States too negatively. Of course, they would be in last place in the group by three points; but the United States could rest many of its players, specifically Pulisic, to give Turkey a favorable matchup that could potentially snatch a place in the round of 32.
Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group D match between the United States and Australia in Seattle on June 19, 2026. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)
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The top two finishers from each of the 12 groups will advance, as well as the eight best third-place finishers. So while the United States can sit back for its own good, it could certainly get involved in some chaos.
Whatever the case, the United States will return to the field in Los Angeles against Türkiye next Thursday.
