USA Cruise Past Australia to Clinch Women’s World Cup Knockout Berth

The United States moved a major step closer to the knockout stage while also settling a pressing concern: how would they fare without injured star Christian Pulisic? The answer was emphatic. They managed just fine — and in the process, uncovered a new match-winner.

One of Alex Freeman’s own teammates recently confessed he had “no idea” who the young defender was before Mauricio Pochettino handed him his first call-up. But just before halftime against Australia, the 21-year-old — son of Antonio Freeman, a Super Bowl XXXI champion with the Green Bay Packers — carved out a memorable moment of his own.

Freeman’s strike wrapped up a 2-0 victory and sent the Americans through to the round of 32 with a match still to play. It also leaves them in a strong position to finish top of Group D. For Pochettino, it was another powerful sign that his rebuilding effort is taking shape.

The Argentine has pushed hard to reshape the mentality around this national team and convince the country to think bigger. Why not the USA? has been his message, despite the fact the Americans have not advanced beyond the quarterfinals since 1930. Performances like this may soon make managing expectations the bigger challenge.

Following a commanding 4-1 opening win over Paraguay, the US delivered another impressive display here. The breakthrough came via a Cameron Burgess own goal, before Freeman added the second with a header for Villarreal’s rising talent. Now the USMNT head into next week’s meeting with Turkey looking every bit like genuine contenders — even without Pulisic and his troublesome calf.

Pochettino confirmed the setback almost two hours before kickoff. Pulisic, who had trained alone during the week while his status remained uncertain, was ruled out. After being substituted at halftime against Paraguay, the winger was not fit enough even to make the bench.

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.

‘I looked back and saw all my teammates running at me, I was like: “Oh lord!” Freeman said after the game. ‘It just made me very emotional.’

So did netting here, 30 years after his father scored two touchdowns in Seattle. ‘For me, that is a full circle family moment,’ Freeman said. ‘That just shows how he can be great, but I can be great in my own way as well. And that just shows how amazing it is to have a dad who’s successful, that can mentor me to be able to be ready for moments like these.’ 

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, following the introduction of Nestory Irankunda who bizarrely started on the bench. 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.

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. 

After the final whistle, this 67,000-strong crowd – well, except the pockets of gold – serenaded Pochettino’s team as they embarked on a lap of honor.

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. 

At Super Bowl XXXI, Freeman’s dad Antonio scored an 81-yard touchdown for the Packers

They were on the wrong end of some brutal challenges. It could have been even worse – had Australia been able to get near the US for periods of this game.

‘It was an extremely tough game – very physical,’ Balogun said. ‘I think the ref did his best to try and contain it. But this is a World Cup. So it’s expected for the passion to sometimes spill over. But I think we kept our cool. It was a really professional performance from us.’

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. ‘It’s hard for me to take it all in,’ Freeman said. ‘But I think it’s good also to go through these challenges at such a fast pace at a young age.’

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.