06/19/26 04:06:00
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06/19 16:05 CDT Despite Christian Pulisic's absence, US beats Australia 2-0 to
advance to World Cup knockout round
Despite Christian Pulisic's absence, US beats Australia 2-0 to advance to World
Cup knockout round
By ANDREW DESTIN
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) --- The U.S. national soccer team advanced to the knockout round
at the World Cup despite the absence of injured forward Christian Pulisic,
beating Australia 2-0 on Friday.
A deep U.S. roster overcame Pulisic's absence to clinch a knockout berth after
only two matches for the first time. The last time the Americans served as
World Cup hosts in 1994, they advanced by being one of the best third-place
teams. They then lost to eventual champion Brazil in their next match, which
was in the round of 16.
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international
appearances, missed Friday's match because of a calf injury.
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and son of Super Bowl
champion Antonio Freeman, gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 43rd minute off
a set piece. Freeman headed in a deflected shot by Sergio Dest for his first
career World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review.
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the left sideline
by Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on
June 12.
Balogun directed a centering pass towards striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in
place of Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia
defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos' net for an own-goal.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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