SEATTLE – Although it was not quite the top-shelf performance of one week ago, the U.S. Men’s National Team controlled the match in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Australia.
Once again, an early own goal gave the opponents a hole to climb out of, but Alex Freeman’s crashing header before halftime sealed the deal.
With Christian Pulisic unavailable through injury, Mauricio Pochettino switched to a dual-forward formation, with Ricardo Pepi partnering up front with Folarin Balogun. The changes and intense high press led to the Americans having numerous scoring opportunities, particularly over the flanks from Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson.
Like the opener in Los Angeles, the first-half play was impressive and, at times, breathtaking to behold, before losing much of its panache in the second 45 minutes. However, this time the back line looked more secure and were rewarded with their first shutout since a 3-0 win over Costa Rica in January 2025.
Most importantly, the victory, coupled with Turkey’s exit from the tournament, means the USMNT won the group with one game to spare, a World Cup first for Team USA.
Here is a closer look at the USMNT’s individual performances against Australia:
MATT FREESE (5) – Was not put in a position where he could distinguish himself. Remained reliable when dealing with efforts from Touré (1st minute) and Metcalfe (65th minute). A minor lapse in concentration while playing the ball out from the back had no consequences (6th minute).
ANTONEE ROBINSON (7.5) – Impressed on the left flank primarily with his physical presence and two decisive moments. He initiated the opening goal with a through-ball to Balogun and, prior to the second goal, cleverly cut a freekick back from near the byline to Dest, allowing him to fire a shot from distance.
CHRIS RICHARDS (6.5) – Solid, stable, and strong in challenges defensively. However, his long balls forward frequently failed to find their intended targets. He stuck to the essentials in the second half, stopping Irankunda with a body check at the cost of a yellow card (90th +3 minute).
TIM REAM (6.5) – Started thanks to his strength in duels and headers very consistently, triggered several winning transitions. After the break, he also went back to the fundamentals and revealed a lack of speed against Irankunda, before Australia’s best goal chance through Volpato (62nd minute).
ALEX FREEMAN (8) – Started with a sloppy cross-field pass inside his own penalty area that put Touré in a dangerous position (1st minute), but the Man of the Match was highly focused thereafter, once again providing valuable impetus in the build-up, like the through ball to McKennie (5th minute). Diffused a precarious situation involving Velupillay inside his own six-yard box with a decisive sliding tackle (23rd minute). Showed equal presence of mind at the other end, heading home the rebound from Dest’s shot to make it 2–0. A moment in first-half stoppage time was symptomatic of his performance: first, a superb run in behind the defense to set up a chance for Dest, followed immediately by a successful defensive challenge inside his own penalty area.
TYLER ADAMS (7) – A reliable tackler and ball-winner in central midfield, he provided cover for his teammates without stamping his mark on the game. He was, however, infected by the general sloppiness of the second half on at least one occasion, clearing the ball too indolently and inaccurately, allowing Metcalfe to get a shot off (65th minute).
MALIK TILLMAN (7) – Initially was in the shadow of McKennie for a long time, but steadily improved as the game progressed. He made numerous intelligent moments in combination play and game progression, while putting in considerable work to get back.
WESTON MCKENNIE (7.5) – The majority of the dangerous US attacking plays ran through him in the first half. He was unstoppable, particularly in the right half-space, and repeatedly exploited the gaps between defenders with creative flair. He also posed a threat in the air after a corner, with a header blocked by Bos (15th minute); a minute later, the same opponent could only stop him by committing a tactical foul. However, he too took his foot off the gas pedal in the second half.
SERGINO DEST (7.5) – An excellent first half; he initiated numerous promising attacks down the right flank, particularly in combination with McKennie. He also frequently made runs into the opposition penalty area or opted to shoot from distance. This approach played a key role in the second goal: his initial shot was blocked, but Freeman converted the rebound. He was more subdued in the second half.
RICARDO PEPI (6) – Pulisic’s replacement would likely have been on the scoreboard had Burgess not already deflected Balogun’s low pass into his own net to make it 1–0. He deserves praise for his industriousness and team-oriented play, though his best moments came in defensive situations rather than through attacking penetration.
FOLARIN BALOGUN (7) – He frequently drifted out of the center of the attack, preferably to the left flank. From there, he forced the own goal that made it 1–0 with an unstoppable deep run followed by a low delivery into the six-yard box. Overall, he showed good movement and a lively playing style, though he failed to pose any further threat on goal.
SEBASTIAN BERHALTER (6) – He made an inauspicious start with a misplaced pass immediately after coming on, but subsequently showed glimpses of the intensity that could make him a key figure for decisive moments later in the tournament.
JOE SCALLY (-) – A thankless substitute appearance during a disjointed closing phase; there was practically no opportunity to contribute anything more than fighting spirit.
GIOVANNI REYNA (-) – Came on in the final minutes and got to celebrate on the pitch at the end.
HAJI WRIGHT (-) – He almost turned his brief appearance into a promising scoring opportunity but was blocked at the edge of the penalty area.