All eyes are locked on Seattle as the USMNT looks to turn a brilliant start into a dominant World Cup 2026 run.
After Mauricio Pochettino’s squad dismantled Paraguay in a 4-1 thrashing down in Los Angeles, the Americans are flying high. But Friday’s match at Lumen Field should be a test.
A win for the USMNT punches their ticket to the knockout rounds — buy they’ll have to do it without star Christian Pulisic, who was declared out shortly before the match with a lingering calf injury.
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It was another great atmosphere for the USMNT today in this World Cup, and Tyler Adams gushed about the support after the game in an interview with Fox. "Playing in front of a home crowd like that gives us that extra motivation... With those fans behind us, I'm not gonna say we feel invincible, but wow, it's encouraging." The defender didn't just head in a goal, but he was tremendous at the back and looked composed beyond his years as the Aussies ramped up the pressure a bit in the second half. The USMNT has a real gem on its hands. 🇺🇸 Alex Freeman | POTM vs Australia:Tyler Adams on "incredible" Seattle crowd
By Jake Nisse 
A match to remember for Freeman
By Jake Nisse
🧱 5 - Clearances
✈️ 4 - Aerials duels won
💪 4 - Tackles
🚫 2 - Interceptions
🤤 2 - Successful dribbles
⚽️1 - Goal
📊 91% - Pass accuracy
⭐️ 8.43 - WhoScored rating
First-ever World Cup goal for the 21-year-old. 👏#USMNTpic.twitter.com/BCEdmTHaR2
The relationship between Poch and the fans has at times been fraught, with reports swirling before the tournament that he was already talking to clubs for his next move.
But his side have played very well this tournament, and the results have silenced any doubters our critics. As seen in the clip below, fans were literally chanting his name after today's win.
HUGE win for USA 🇺🇸@JennyTaft spoke with @USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino after the win over Australia pic.twitter.com/DWIGeXOAM2
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026
"Country Roads" blasts from the speakers in Seattle as fans and players celebrate the team moving on. A special connection is forming with these fans.
SCENES in Seattle as fans and the @USMNT sing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” 🇺🇸
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2026
More from @MelissaMOrtiz, @bguzan, @SachaKljestan and @MauriceEdu on #WCNow. pic.twitter.com/BSmGbx3vS4
The Americans are advancing.
For the second straight game, the USMNT rode first-half goals — including an Australia own goal — for a 2-0 win that earned them a berth in the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup.
United States 2 - 0 Australia
It's all over!
The USA secures a comfortable 2-0 victory over Australia, making it two wins from two and booking their spot in the knockout rounds!
Burgess scored an own goal after 11 minutes, and Freeman added a second just before halftime, confirmed by VAR.
Australia made three changes at halftime but continued to sit back, allowing the USA to control possession.
The Socceroos eventually threatened, but it was too little, too late.
The USA managed only one shot in the second half, adding 0.1 to their xG, while Australia mustered three efforts for a combined xG of 0.32.
The win was never in doubt.
If Turkiye doesn't beat Paraguay later, the USA will be guaranteed to finish top of the group and face a third-placed team in the round of 32.
Australia will have to wait to see what they need to do in their final match against Paraguay.
That's all for today!
No Pulisic, no problem! It's ultimately a rather straightforward 2-0 win for the USA, who have now booked their spot in the knockouts, and are the likely group winners of Group D.
A professional performance against the Aussies, if a less exhilarating one than the Paraguay win.
United States
AustraliaUnited States 2 - 0 Australia
FULL-TIME!
USA 2-0 AUSTRALIA.
United States 2 - 0 Australia
Wright gets free on the left and dribbles along the top of the box before finally pulling the trigger.
The shot is blocked, and the flag goes up for an offside in the build-up anyway.
The referee goes down for a minute as he is seen getting some treatment for an apparent cramp.
However, he's given some hydration by the fourth official and he's good to continue the rest of the way.
Referee wasting time now! https://t.co/dNuho47F4Apic.twitter.com/wKr3aD9Zl3
— Malinjr (@RealMalinjr) June 19, 2026
