United States Defeat Australia 2-0 to Secure Early World Cup Knockout Place

SEATTLE (AP) — The United States men's national team booked a place in the World Cup knockout round on Friday, defeating Australia 2-0 even without injured forward Christian Pulisic.

Squad depth carried the Americans through as they confirmed elimination-round qualification after just two group fixtures for the first time. When the country last hosted the tournament in 1994, it reached the round of 16 only as one of the strongest third-place finishers. Brazil, the eventual champions, ended that run in the last 16.

Pulisic, an AC Milan forward with 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed the match with a calf injury.

Alex Freeman, the team's youngest player at 21 and son of Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, extended the lead to 2-0 in the 43rd minute from a set piece. He headed in a deflected effort from Sergiño Dest for his first World Cup goal, with the strike upheld after a video review.

The United States opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Folarin Balogun, who had netted twice in a 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12. Balogun drove down the left flank and played a cross toward Ricardo Pepi, who started in Pulisic's place. The pass never reached Pepi, instead deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess into the Socceroos' net for an own goal.