USMNT secures Round of 32 spot after win over Australia

The USMNT defeated Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field on June 19, 2026, securing their place in the Round of 32. An own goal by Cameron Burgess followed by a header from Alex Freeman before halftime clinched the victory, marking a historic start for the team with back-to-back wins in the World Cup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his emotions post-match, highlighting the connection with fans and the team's performance. The US moves to 2-0-0 in Group D, having achieved their first clean sheet in 10 games. Their next match is against Turkey on June 25, where a win or draw would secure the top spot in the group.

• 2:44 AMYahoo Sports — Mauricio Pochettino gets emotional after USMNT reaches World Cup knockouts