The United States men’s national team takes to the pitch for the second time in the 2026 World Cup, this time in a Group D match against Australia.
The buzz for the World Cup stateside was already high as one of the host nations, but the Americans raised the bar with an impressive 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12. Folarin Balogun had a brace for the U.S., who carried the play for much of the match.
But today’s match is for control of the group as the Socceroos opened their World Cup run with a 2-0 win over Turkey. So a win for either side in Seattle will secure a spot in the knockout round.
USA vs Australia score updates
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USA | 2 | 0 | AUS – 46′
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51′ Folarin Balogun has 1-on-1 saved
Folarin Balogun races away from the Australian defense, but a mistouch gets the ball stuck under his feet and allows an Australian defender to catch up and block his goal-bound shot. It goes out for a corner kick.
Positive start to the half for the USMNT and Balogun.
Three changes for Australia to start the second half
Australia needs a change, and a triple substitution may provide it for the Socceroos in the second half. Connor Metcalfe replaces Nishan Velu Pillay on the wing, Nestory Irankunda replaces Mohamed Toure at forward and Jason Geria is on for Cameron Burgess in the backline.
Both Metcalfe and Irankunda scored in the 2-0 Australian win over Turkiye. Burgess scored an own goal earlier in this game.
Halftime: Another impressive half for the USMNT, who leads 2-0 vs. Australia
Any questions about a hangover effect from the win over Paraguay were quickly answered as the USMNT has picked up where it left off with another impressive performance. Another own goal and a header from Alex Freeman have the USMNT ahead 2-0 at halftime.
It’s been a dominant display from the USMNT, who are threatening on every attack.
43′ Goal! Alex Freeman doubles the lead for the USMNT
Alex Freeman reacts quickest to a deflected strike from Sergino Dest, and he heads in the second goal of the game for the USMNT, moments after a collision that nearly forced him off the field.
Dest receives the ball from Antonee Robinson on a free kick, and he steadies himself and hits a shot from outside of the area. The ball pops into the air and Freeman tracks it down and nods it into an empty net. It was initially ruled offside, but after review, the goal stands!
38′ Scary collision between Alex Freeman and Paul Okon-Engstler
Alex Freeman attempts to head a ball up the right line, but he collides with Australia’s Paul Okon-Engstler, and both players go down quickly with head in their hands.
The medical staff comes onto the pitch immediately to evaluate both players, who looked to have clashed heads. Both players stay on the field after assessment from the medical staff.
32′ Clever movement, passing from Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun
The USMNT looks like they are starting to enjoy the occasion. Malik Tillman plays a nice one-two with Folarin Balogun to bypass the Australian midfield.
It forces a foul from Alessandor Circati, who earns a yellow card.
25′ Alex Freeman clears a chance from Australia, USMNT leads 1-0 at first hydration break
Alex Freeman’s outstretched left leg puts a whipped cross from Nishan Velupillay behind for an Australian corner kick.
The Socceroos have maintained possession for a few minutes and are pressuring the USMNT goal. Harry Souttar, who towers over the USA backline at 6-foot-6, has two attempts on goal off a pair of corner kicks, but nothing doing.
A foul on Matt Freese takes us to the first hydration break.
Weston McKennie is causing problems for the Socceroos
With Christian Pulisic on the bench, someone needed to step up for the USMNT. So far, Weston McKennie has been the man for the task.
He’s floated from his position in the middle of the pitch to the right flank, interchanging with Sergino Dest and playing some nice combination passes to create chances from the right side of the field. A bright start for McKennie, whose movement is proving to be an issue for Australia.
11′ Goal! Folarin Balogun drives down the wing and sets up an own goal, 1-0 USA
It’s that man Folarin Balogun again. He drives down the left wing after making a run from the center of the pitch, and he carries the ball past an Australian defender and rolls a ball into the box from the byline, and it touches off Cameron Burgess for the own goal.
Second straight game the USMNT has struck first from an own goal. It looked very similar to the goal Christian Pulisic set up in the first game, which resulted in an own goal to put the USMNT ahead 1-0 vs. Paraguay.
9′ Sergino Dest fires an effort on goal
Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest have linked up a few times early in this game on the right side of the field. A nice combination of passes gets Dest into the box, and he takes a shot that is blocked by an Australian defender.
First real chance of the day for the USMNT.
8′ Tyler Adams takes a heavy challenge from Mathew Leckie
Tyler Adams wins a duel in midfield before he has his ankle hit by a slide tackle from Mathew Leckie.
He was down for a moment, but appears fine to carry on. USMNT players asked for a yellow card, but Leckie just got a warning as play continues.
5′ Australia setting up in a low block
Australia has set itself up in a low block (a formation that prioritizes defense and shields the penalty area). It isn’t a surprise to see, and it’s similar to what the Socceroos used in the 2-0 win over Turkiye. They’ll look to absorb the USMNT pressure and spring counterattacks.
1′ – Kickoff! The USMNT vs. Australia is underway
The time for talk is over, the USMNT and Australia has kicked off in the second game of Group D in the World Cup.
Australia kicks long toward the left side of the field to get things started. Antonee Robinson wins his first header of the game to clear the long ball forward.
Deafening chants of “U-S-A” in Seattle
The atmosphere is at a fever pitch as the crowd in Seattle unleashes a deafening “U-S-A” chant ahead of kickoff.
A cautionary note for USMNT fans from FIFA
While the vibes and expectations have reached new levels for the USMNT in this World Cup, FIFA has provided a stat that will bring caution to even the most zealous American supporters.
In the last five World Cups the USMNT has played in, the Americans have drawn their second game of the group stage in each match.
Can that change today? We will find out with kickoff in five minutes.
Players take the field for national anthems
Kickoff is moments away as both the USMNT and Australia emerge from the tunnel in Seattle in front of a sold-out crowd at Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium) to take the field for the national anthems.
The US is in the red and white strip kit that it wore in the win over Paraguay, while Australia is in its classic yellow shirt on yellow shorts, with green mixed in.
The winner of the USMNT vs. Australia will book a spot in the round of 32
The clash of the top two teams in Group D has a lot on the line, and if there is a winner today between the USMNT and Australia, they book a spot in the round of 32.
While a loss doesn’t eliminate the loser, it makes winning the group and earning the more favorable path in the knockout rounds a long shot. A draw puts both teams on 4 points each, and could open the door for either Turkiye or Paraguay to shake things up on the final group stage gameday.
For the USMNT, a win could help them clinch 1st in Group D as early as tonight. If Paraguay beats or draws with Turkiye later this evening, the USMNT will secure top spot in Group D ahead of the final match of group play.
USA lineup today: Ricardo Pepi starts
GK – Matt Freese, RB – Alex Freeman, CB – Tim Ream, CB – Chris Richards, LB – Antonee Robinson, RM – Sergiño Dest, CM – Tyler Adams, CM – Weston McKennie, LM – Malik Tillman, St – Ricardo Pepi, St – Folarin Balogun
Australia lineup today: Nestory Irankunda on the bench
Gk – Patrick Beach, RB – Jacob Italiano, CB – Alessandro Circati, CB – Harry Souttar, CB – Cameron Burgess, LB – Jordan Bos, CM – Aiden O’Neill, CM – Paul Okon-Engstler, RM – Matthew Leckie, LM – Nishan Velupillay, St – Mohamed Toure
Christian Pulisic is unavailable for the game vs. Australia, according to Mauricio Pochettino
Speaking to the FOX World Cup pre-game show, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that Christian Pulisic will be unavailable for the Americans agaisnt Australia.
“Christian is not available. The evolution is really well. Today was training in the morning in the training camp. I think the feelings are good. Let’s hope as soon as possible, he can be ready to be selected again and to be part of the team. Now we need to be focused in our team and the players that are going to play. We have ahead a very important game, Australia is going to be really tough,” Pochettino told Jenny Taft. “Of course, a little bit sad, he (Pulisic) wanted to stay. He wanted to participate today, but it’s still so early.”
Ricardo Pepi will start as his replacement.
What time does USA vs Australia start?
USMNT vs Australia TV channel, live stream
Watch USA vs Australia in Spanish live on Peacock
Where is USA vs Australia playing?
The USMNT vs. Australia World Cup match is at Seattle Stadium, also known as Lumen Field in Seattle. It is home to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, the MLS’ Seattle Sounders FC and the NWSL’s Seattle Reign FC.
USA vs Australia announcers
USMNT vs Australia predictions
Is Christian Pulisic playing today? Injury update
The star winger played the first half but sat out the second half of USA’s 4-1 win over Paraguay. Pulisic said after the game his calf was concerning enough to hit as a precaution. As of late Thursday, USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said he will meet with the medical staff later before determining Pulisic availability. “He’s evolving. He’s much better from Friday,” Pochettino said. “We will see. If he is not available for tomorrow, he will be available for the next game.”
USA soccer players
The U.S. men’s national team features 12 players who were part of the team that made the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022. See the full USA World Cup roster.
World Cup schedule
Here’s a look at the Group D matches for the U.S. soccer team. All of the USA’s games will be broadcast in English on Fox and in Spanish on Telemundo. All times Eastern.
And here are the Group D matches for Australia.
World Cup weather update: Forecast for USA vs Australia
AccuWeather predicts 72 degrees with mostly sunny skies at kickoff in Seattle, with a 1% chance of rain. Portions of the playing surface is covered by a roof.
USA soccer schedule
Here’s a look at the USMNT’s recent run of play:
Australia soccer schedule
Here’s a look at Australia’s recent run of play:
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: USA vs Australia in World Cup: Alex Freeman puts the USMNT ahead 2-0
Reporting by Kirkland Crawford and Liam Rooney, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kirkland Crawford and Liam Rooney, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
