ASN is on the World Cup and right here to interrupt down the USMNT’s win over Australia to clinch Group D and proceed its finest begin in its fashionable historical past of the World Cup
BY
Paul Stephens
Posted
June 19, 2026
9:05 PM
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THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL workforce is thru to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 win over Australia on Friday in Seattle. Simply previous to the lineup bulletins, Mauricio Pochettino introduced that Christian Pulisic wouldn’t be accessible the sport as a result of calf harm he sustained within the opener. However the U.S. took benefit of one other sturdy begin, through a pressured personal purpose, after which scored shortly earlier than halftime through Alex Freeman. After a goal-less second half, the U.S. walked away with a 2-0 win
Listed below are ideas on all of it.
Pochettino’s tactical adjustment
With out Christian Pulisic, Pochettino had two methods of adjusting his workforce. He may discover a straight substitute for Pulisiic – probably both Tim Weah, Alex Zendejas, or Brenden Aaronson – or he may discover a substitute in a unique position and regulate techniques.
Pochettino opted for the later strategy as he changed Pulisic with middle ahead Ricardo Pepi. That then shifted the workforce right into a 3-5-2 formation. As a substitute of wingers, Pochettino went with a two-striker formation with Folarin Balogun and Pepi.
It was a daring transfer because the workforce has by no means performed with two central forwards beneath Pochettino.
FOLARIN BALOGUN MAKING THINGS HAPPEN ONCE AGAIN! ????pic.twitter.com/Xgvu7OW1QZ
— U.S. Soccer Males’s Nationwide Crew (@USMNT) June 19, 2026
The consequence was not nice, however ok. On the primary purpose, Folarin Balogun moved dangerously into the field from the left facet and he tried to seek out Pepi. As a substitute the ball was redirected into his personal web by Australian defender Cameron Burgess.
Balogun performed for 90 minutes and Pepi performed 74 minutes however neither had a shot on track. That doesn’t imply they didn’t assist in the win as they opened channels for others, however it was removed from a dominant show.
The win was a grind
This win was practically as fairly because the victory over Paraguay. That first half was the most effective within the workforce’s historical past. The sport in opposition to Australia was extra a grind, however it was efficient. The U.S. workforce gained the lose balls, defending the midfield channels nicely, managed possession and the tempo.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2026
In each measure of the sport, the U.S. workforce was higher. It didn’t make for an aesthetically pleasing recreation, however it was competent.
McKennie and Freeman stood out
When it comes to the perfect U.S. gamers within the recreation, Weston McKennie and Alex Freeman have been the workforce’s finest gamers. Weston was in central midfield however shaded extra in the direction of the fitting facet to mix with Sergino Dest and Alex Freeman. McKennie was in a position to create many possibilities by way of his passing and dribbling. He has come into this event on a very totally different degree in contrast with the 2024 Copa America or the 2025 Nations League.
In the meantime, Alex Freeman is the U.S. workforce’s breakout participant. It wasn’t merely the purpose he scored in opposition to Australia for a 2-0 lead. He has been excellent on each side of the ball. In central protection, he must be selective with when he will get into the assault, however when he does he’s a handful.
— FOX Sports activities (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026
Freeman is an elite athlete who is without doubt one of the quickest rising USMNT gamers in latest reminiscence. Lower than 12 months in the past, he was in his first season as skilled starter for Orlando. His call-up appeared a bit of rushed on the time.
Now, he’s on Villarreal and a World Cup starter who’s a distinction maker on the event.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2026
Group D Winners
In Friday’s final recreation, Paraguay defeated Türkiye 1-0 in Northern California. It was a outstanding recreation the place Türkiye out possessed and outshot Paraguay by a big margin however couldn’t rating. Simply earlier than halftime, workforce veteran and Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron was despatched off for saying works to an opposing participant whereas overlaying his mouth.
However Paraguay struck 65 second into the sport through Matías Galarza (additionally of Atlanta United) after which have been in a position to park the bus for over 90 minutes.
GOT THE GROUP! ? pic.twitter.com/evUyQN8cxF
— U.S. Soccer Males’s Nationwide Crew (@USMNT) June 20, 2026
Regardless of having 64 pictures in its first two video games, Turkiye misplaced its first two video games and is shockingly eradicated from advancing to the knockouts. Many pundits and consultants believed Türkiye had the expertise to doubtlessly make a future at this World Cup. The workforce’s exit is without doubt one of the event’s early surprises
However with these outcomes, the USA is formally the winner of Group D. It Is workforce’s first World Cup group win since 2010 when Bob Bradley’s workforce topped a gaggle with England, Slovenia, and Algeria with 5 factors.
Finale vs. Turkiye
The USMNT and Turkiye should nonetheless play one another on Thursday and the result’s meaningless to both workforce because the U.S. will end atop the group whereas Turkiye will end final.
Pochettino is nearly actually not going to play his gamers who’re carrying yellow playing cards. Whereas yellow playing cards are wiped clear after the group stage, suspensions usually are not. It is a large constructive for the U.S. workforce as a few of its finest gamers are presently on one yellow card: Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, and Folarin Balogun. He also can give extra restoration time to Pulisic and maybe relaxation different veterans equivalent to Tim Ream.
This recreation might be unpredictable. Türkiye is probably going going to play this recreation laborious with a purpose to depart the event with a constructive. The gamers are probably offended and humiliated, and can need to take a few of these frustrations out on the USA.
However will Türkiye be centered? How will a largely backup United States beginning XI reply?
Regardless, the U.S. workforce will get to play a uncommon World Cup recreation with none stress and might as a substitute start to give attention to its spherical of 32 recreation on July 1.
