SEATTLE — In so many ways, this second U.S. World Cup adventure was much like the first.
An early own goal.
A killer goal just before halftime.
An energetic, connected and confident performance before an appreciative audience that, like much of the soccer world, is beginning to believe Mauricio Pochettino’s crew is for real.
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Ultimately, it was another impressive victory, a 2-0 outcome against Australia that was accomplished without Pochettino’s best player, injured forward Christian Pulisic.
The result secured passage to the knockout round with one Group D match remaining. Depending on the Türkiye-Paraguay outcome later Friday in Santa Clara, California, the U.S. could also clinch first place before even playing the Turks on Thursday in Greater Los Angeles.
Not since 1930 had the U.S. won consecutive matches at a World Cup.
“Now that we’ve won two games and consistently playing well, I think for us our confidence is above the roof,” Freeman said. “I feel like for us it’s, how can we give more and more and more?”
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Once again, an own goal at the end of a succulent U.S. sequence provided the lead. Later in the opening half, Alex Freeman extended the lead on a header that was initially nullified by the offside flag but confirmed via video replay.
Aside from striker Ricardo Pepi replacing Pulisic, Pochettino stuck with the same lineup that dismantled Paraguay. The defensive scheme remained the same, with Tim Ream, Chris Richards and Freeman in front of goalkeeper Matt Freese, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest on the flanks, and Tyler Adams shielding the backline.
The attacking arrangement of Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun and Pepi sparked the most curiosity. When the match started, Pepi joined Balogun on the frontline — a fresh and threatening look from Pochettino.
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“What I saw [is] a team that really believe in what it is doing with different plans, and with different approach[es] to the games,” Pochettino said postgame. “We need to be flexible because all the opponents are completely different.
“I think that capacity to adapt to the different demands of the opponent and the game, and also our demand, like our coaching staff planning different approach[es] [to] the games, I think only, I can say good, fantastic things about my players, about this squad, about my players, they were fantastic. “
Pulisic, who is recovering from a calf injury, watched from the bench after being ruled out earlier. The U.S. staff is hopeful he’ll be available for the group finale, though, given the team’s standing, it could allow him additional time to prepare for the Round of 32.
Aussie coach Tony Popovic decided to mix things up, relegating both opening-match scorers to the bench.
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World Cup schedule | Group schedule, results | Standings
Known for its cacophonous environment, Lumen Field did not disappoint. Neither did Seattle, an enchanting host city with a rich soccer history dating to the North American Soccer League last century and revived by Major League Soccer’s arrival in 2009.
Because the playing surface is usually artificial turf, the U.S. hadn’t played here since 2016, when temporary grass was rolled out for Copa América.
“It was an amazing and a perfect connection between the energy from the stands and the team,” Pochettino said. “I think that [makes] us feel very proud because to connect with the people is what we wanted.”
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With a noon kickoff, fans packed light rail trains early in the morning before spilling out into a tapestry of sights and sounds in the stadium district near Pioneer Square and the waterfront. (In the adjacent ballpark, the Mariners will host the Red Sox on Friday night.)
The match crackled to life — both in promising opportunities and heavy tackles.
In the 11th minute, the U.S. unlocked the Aussies with a similar method and outcome as the opening goal against Paraguay. Robinson played the ball down the line to Balogun, who revved his engines, accelerated by Jacob Italiano before turning the corner to place Australia under severe duress. Crossing the ball with the outside of his right foot, Balogun sought Pepi and Dest crashing the 6-yard box.
In retreat, center back Cameron Burgess failed to get his feet right and touched the ball into the net — the second U.S. match starting with an early own goal.
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As they did against Paraguay, the Americans scored just before halftime, as well, on a goal by Freeman, who, just moments earlier, received treatment after a frightening head-to-head collision with Paul Okon-Engstler.
Tillman made the set piece possible, battling at the side of the penalty area to draw a free kick. Instead of serving the ball into the crowd, Robinson sent it to Dest at the top of the box for a low shot. An Australian deflection sent the ball floating into the 6-yard box.
Scrambling back to his feet after committing to Dest’s shot, goalkeeper Patrick Beach was too late. Freeman rose for a header into the open net.
The flag went up, however. Freeman was offside. Or was he? Balogun and McKennie were behind the defense but Freeman was level. After the video replay booth reviewed it, referee Felix Zwayer awarded the goal, restarting the celebration at the far end of the field.
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Desperate to change the conversation, Popovic made three changes to start the second half. Braced for an uptick in Australian pressure, the U.S. was smart and composed.
With Australia committing players into the attack, space opened for U.S. counterattacks. Adams liberated Balogun for a partial breakaway out of midfield, but defender Alessandro Circati recovered in time to block the shot.
Australia’s influx of speed caused trouble for the U.S. transitional defense, but wayward shooting and a lack of efficiency stunted its outlook to give the U.S. its first shutout since September, a span of 10 matches.
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Pochettino made his first change in the 74th minute, bolstering the midfield by replacing Pepi with Berhalter. More substitutions followed, including Robinson, who had received a yellow card earlier.
The U.S. turned ragged down the stretch, conceding a number of threats. The match turned physical and ugly, resulting in multiple incidents.
The final whistle after eight minutes of stoppage time brought relief, celebration — and more evidence this U.S. team is onto something special this summer.
The players, though, are not getting too ahead of themselves.
“I’m aware the country is supporting us and the country is proud of us in each game,” Balogun said. “We are doing things, but for me, I’m just focused on the prize.”
