SEATTLE — An own goal in the 11th minute and a 44th minute header from Alex Freeman gave the U.S. Men’s National Team a 2–0 lead over Australia that they managed to hang onto through a combative second half. The result leaves the U.S. with six points and a +5 goal difference through two games in the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. That’s enough to see them through the group stage, and could prove to be an insurmountable total atop Group D depending on how things shake out between Türkiye and Paraguay.
Australia had a couple of good moments to start the game, including a dangerous moment in the 1st minute when a pass in the back from Freeman was a little loose allowing Mohamed Touré to jump on it, but nothing came of it.
As the U.S. started to find more of a footing, Tim Ream got time and space on the ball to pick out Antonee Robinson on the left wing. Robinson then played it to Folarin Balogun, who then hit a pass from inside the box intended for Ricardo Pepi but his finishing touch wasn’t needed as Australian centerback Cameron Burgess knocked it in the back of the net himself.
The Socceroos had a couple of good chances for a response following the goal. In the 13th minute, Matthew Leckie nearly had an equalizer after some quality combination play, but his trivela shot sailed wide of the far post. Ten minutes later it was Leckie again involved, this time sending in a cross for Nishan Velupillay, but it was cut out for a corner.
After a couple of chances from Australia, the game fell into a bit of a lull until a 39th-minute collision of heads between Freeman and Aussie midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler, which resulted in a bit of a break in play as both players were checked for concussions. Five minutes later, Freeman put that head to use, knocking in a deflected ball following a free kick to make it 2–0. The play was initially called off for offside, but video review confirmed that the goal was indeed good and the U.S. carried the 2-goal advantage into halftime.
Balogun had a prime opportunity to extend the lead coming out of halftime when he got out on a break from a direct ball over the top in the 52nd minute, but the forward took too long to get his shot off and allowed the defender to apply pressure and get a foot in front of his eventual shot. Following that chance, there was plenty of hustle and bustle between the boxes, but little in the way of quality chances for either side.
Australia ended up creating some danger following a corner in the 85th minute, but the most notable thing in the second half was something that didn’t happen. Despite the 2-0 lead and five substitutions, Cristian Roldan was left on the bench by Mauricio Pochettino in front of his home crowd.
Roldan and the USMNT now prepare to face Türkiye on Thursday, June 25 in Los Angeles.
Key performers
Alex Freeman
Alex Freeman put in the exact performance Pochettino would have hoped for from his wide CB spot on the right. With Dest ahead of him, he hardly put a foot wrong, winning 6/8 ground duels, 4 of 6 aerial duels, 4 tackles and 5 clearances while also completing 91% of his 65 passes and 2 of 3 dribbles. He was credited with 1 chance created, had 7 passes into the final third, and oh yeah, the goal. Freeman makes the U.S. system work, and deserves a ton of credit for the result.
Weston McMennie
Weston McKennie may not be quite as crucial to how this U.S. team operates, but he’s undeniably one of their best players and especially with Christian Pulisic unavailable the USMNT needs their best players to play like they’re the best players. That’s what McKennie did in midfield against Australia, providing both steel and savvy in the engine room. There’s no single part of his game that was a real highlight, but he combined being solid in every bit of his role as one of the two 8s with an eye for an opportunity to the tune of 3 chances created. McKennie sets the tone for Poch’s squad in a way that no one else does.
Matt Freese
The USMNT goalkeeper didn’t have a ton to do in this one, but he was equal to the task when called upon. His distribution was poor, only completing 48% of his 25 passes and finding his target with a paltry 29% of his 12 long balls, but regardless of the game’s tactical evolution a GK’s primary responsibility is to keep the ball out of the net. Freese saved both shots Australia put on target and had a couple of good moments cleaning things up behind his defense. The starting spot is firmly in his grasp, and he’s got a steady pair of hands.
