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A dream start for the United States men’s national team continued Friday, and the dream will continue into the next round.
The United States’ World Cup team clinched a spot in the round of 16 with its 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle on Friday afternoon, its second victory in as many matches in this World Cup.
This is the first time since the first World Cup in 1930 that the United States has won back-to-back World Cup matches.
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Team USA celebrates a goal against Paraguay during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
The United States’ second World Cup match got off to an awfully familiar start. Flo Balugon’s pass hit Australia’s Cameron Burgess and was headed into the net, resulting in an own goal in the 10th minute and giving the Americans an early lead in the group stage match.
It was the first time in World Cup history that a team had benefited from own goals in consecutive matches.
The field remained tilted after the first goal, with the Stars and Stripes creating numerous chances. Surprisingly, however, they failed to get a shot on goal for around 43 minutes.
But the United States found the back of the net late in the 43rd minute after a free kick was saved, and then Alex Freeman, the son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, headed a ball home. Officials initially ruled offside, but a VAR check overturned the call, sending Seattle’s Lumen Field into a frenzy and giving Freeman, the team’s youngest player at just 21, his first World Cup goal.
Over 71 minutes, the United States had possession of the ball more than 60 percent of the time, compared to nearly 30 percent for Australia.
The United States is now 11-2-1 when scoring for the first time in the World Cup.
It was announced before the match that Christian Pulisic would not participate in the match after injuring his calf last week. However, the team has performed quite well without him.
Alex Freeman of the United States heads the ball to score a goal past Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Seattle June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
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The team already has six goals in the group stage, equaling their group stage record.
With their 2-0 record, the United States sits in first place with six points, while Australia remains with three and in second place. Paraguay and Turkey, who face off Friday to potentially determine the U.S.’s fate in the group, are winless with zero points.
The United States would earn a victory in Group D and a favorable draw in the Round of 16 if Paraguay beats or ties with Turkey – that match kicks off at 11 p.m. ET.
However, a defeat for Turkey might actually not have too negative an effect on the United States. Of course, they would be in last place in the group with a three-point lead; but the United States would be able to rest many of their players – notably Pulisic – to give Turkey a favorable match and potentially a place in the round of 16.
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 first two from each of the 12 groups advance, as well as the eight best third-place finishers. So even if the United States can rest comfortably for itself, it could certainly be involved in some chaos.
Regardless, the United States will take the field again in Los Angeles against Turkey next Thursday.
