One huge step into the knockout rounds and one giant question answered: How would the USA cope without the injured Christian Pulisic? Perfectly fine, it turns out. They will just create new heroes instead.
One of Alex Freeman’s teammates admitted he had ‘no idea’ who the defender was before he was first called up by Mauricio Pochettino. Shortly before half-time of this win over Australia, the 21-year-old – whose father, Antonio Freeman, won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers – wrote his own slice of sporting history.
His goal sealed a 2-0 win that ensures the US are into the round of 32 with a game to spare. They are primed to top Group D, too. What a huge endorsement of Pochettino’s project.
He has worked tirelessly to change the culture of this US team and encourage the country to dream big. Why not us? Pochettino has asked. No matter that the USA haven’t gone past the quarterfinals since 1930. The issue after this might be keeping a lid on expectations.
After America opened the tournament with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay, this was another terrific performance, kickstarted by an own goal by Cameron Burgess before Freeman headed home. Now the USMNT can head into next week’s clash with Turkey knowing they no longer rely on Pulisic and his dodgy calf.
Pochettino confirmed the bad news nearly two hours before kickoff – the winger, who had been training alone but keeping us guessing all week, was out. Pulisic, who came off at halftime against Paraguay, was not even fit enough for the bench.
Alex Freeman scored as the USA continued their fine start to the World Cup with a 2-0 win
The defender headed home shortly before halftime to double America’s lead over Australia
An own goal from Cameron Burgess put the USA on course for this victory in Seattle
So in came Ricardo Pepi. The striker, who came close to joining Fulham earlier this year, had huge boots to fill, given how devastating Pulisic was in the first 45 minutes of this home World Cup.
That night, Folarin Balogun benefitted with a brace. Here, he turned creator. It was the striker who unlocked Australia early on with a devastating run down the left flank that had Burgess haring back into his box. All he could do with Balogun’s low cross? Divert it into the roof of his own net.
For the second straight game, the US had profited from an early own goal. That had never happened in the World Cup. But it would be unfair to accuse this US team of being lucky. They have forced the opposition into errors with the pace and fluidity of their attacking play.
Pochettino’s team could have been further in front even before Freeman’s goal. The likes of Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest were wreaking havoc in the Australia half.
And shortly before the break, it was Dest’s shot that led to the US’s second. His strike from the edge of the box was deflected into the Seattle sky before Freeman nodded it home. He was originally flagged offside, only for VAR to intervene and empty the USA bench in celebration.
One American analyst had sparked a war of words leading into this game after labelling it a ‘layup’ for the United States. One Australia player said he had never wanted to win a game more.
Well that’s all well and good. What’s more tricky? Finding a way to stop Pochettino’s side, who have looked one of the most accomplished and devastating teams at this World Cup.
Australia posed much more of a threat in the second half but the US rearguard – considered the Achilles heel of this side – stood firm. Chris Richards, in particular, was immense as America added its first clean sheet of the tournament.
The USMNT coped brilliantly without Christian Pulisic, who missed the game with a calf injury
The victory takes Mauricio Pochettino’s team into the knockout stages with a game to spare
They gathered at the foot of the Harbor Steps, just feet from the waterfront and fish markets of downtown Seattle. They were led by four men on horseback dressed in revolutionary garbs and among the advance party? JT Batson, CEO of US Soccer, and Donald Trump’s World Cup chief, Andrew Giuliani.
A couple of hours before kickoff, thousands of USMNT fans marched as one towards Lumen Field. There are many places in the US where it can feel like the World Cup is happening elsewhere. This is not one of them. This is a beating heart of the sport in America and the atmosphere was electric even before Balogun and Co cut loose.
Few men know more about putting the human body through hell than Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, still a fitness maniac at 72, was among the crowd in Seattle. How he would have enjoyed watching this USMNT come through such a physical test.
All week, US players have faced questions about Australia’s roughhouse style; the last time these two teams met Pochettino tore into his side, questioning their fight. ‘We’re American, we don’t take s***,’ he told them. No such concerns about their mettle here.
They were on the wrong end of some brutal challenges. It would have been even worse had Australia been able to get near the US for long periods of this game.
Ahead of Friday’s game in Seattle, thousands of USMNT fans marched to Lumen Field together
At Super Bowl XXXI, Freeman’s dad Antonio scored an 81-yard touchdown for the Packers
Heading into 2025, Alex Freeman had played just 16 minutes of senior soccer. His international debut came barely a year before this World Cup kicked off. Now he is a key cog in Pochettino’s side.
A right back on paper, Freeman slots into a back three when the US have the ball. He made a brilliant defensive clearance early on here. He is also tasked with providing attacking thrust of his own – this was his third international goal.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that he is such a fine athlete, given his stock. But he is quickly becoming one of the breakout stars of this US team. To think, when he met Pochettino, Freeman was scared to speak to his manager.
Now he is playing with a confidence and composure that belies his age. Tears filled his father’s eyes when Freeman first pulled on the Stars and Stripes. Penny for his thoughts on Friday.
