06/20/26 12:09:00
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06/20 00:08 CDT US reaches World Cup knockout round and wins its group with 2nd
straight victory, 2-0 over Australia
US reaches World Cup knockout round and wins its group with 2nd straight
victory, 2-0 over Australia
By ANDREW DESTIN
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) --- Christian Pulisic's injury absence didn't hurt the United
States one bit.
The Americans advanced to the knockout round of the World Cup without their
injured star forward, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday for their second straight
victory in the expanded 48-team tournament. The U.S. then won Group D when
Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 early Saturday morning.
"C.P. is a fantastic player --- the quality and the leadership that he gives
us," said Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over
Paraguay on June 12. "We didn't have him today, but I think you saw we're still
capable to go out there and get a result and put up a performance."
As the Group D winner, the U.S. will play a round-of-32 match on July 1 in
Santa Clara, California, against a third-place group finisher.
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international
appearances, missed Friday's match because of a calf injury.
Playing without a talent like Pulisic could have derailed previous American
World Cup teams. But much has changed since the last time the U.S. hosted the
World Cup in 1994, when it advanced by being one of the best third-place teams.
The Americans lost to eventual champion Brazil in the round of 16.
The U.S. has won consecutive games at a World Cup for the first time since
1930. The Americans have scored six goals, one off their record for a World
Cup, and received contributions throughout their roster.
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and the son of former NFL
wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, made it 2-0 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.
"(He) is doing a fantastic job," coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Freeman.
"The evolution is massive. He's so humble. He wants to learn. He always
listens. He's a player that you really enjoy being with him. Not only coaching,
but being with him."
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the left sideline
by Balogun.
He directed a centering pass toward 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.
"I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities," Balogun said. "It
might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives
us the lead, then for me it's like a goal as well. It was a special start to
the game to give us the momentum."
The Americans did not score after halftime, but the way they so thoroughly
dominated Australia in the opening 45 minutes left an impression on Socceroos
coach Tony Popovic.
"It did not surprise us because their quality is clear," Popovic said. "Their
power is clear. Their athleticism is clear. They are not surprising in what
they did."
Expectations will only increase for the U.S. as momentum builds around the
team. The Americans' start to the tournament has not changed Pochettino's
perception of his squad and its potential.
"I think it's much better when you show good performances and win the games,"
Pochettino said. "I think that makes it easier, everything. But, at the same
time, it's (important) to keep believing."
The U.S. learned it can get out of the group stage without Pulisic. And it has
the roster to make a deep run.
"We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can contribute in
the game," Freeman said. "For us it was, we have Ricardo Pepi, who came in and
had an amazing game. I think that just shows how (good) our roster is."
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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