We want to lift the trophy.
Second Half Opens
Play resumed in the 46th minute after the field was watered and the teams returned from halftime. In the 51st minute, Tyler Adams played the ball in behind the Australian defense at roughly midfield and Folarin Balogun burst up the field. Balogun evaded some of the Australian defense but slowed down, and Australian defender Alessandro Circati blocked Balogun's shot.
In the 43rd minute before the break, Sergiño Dest battled to control the ball along the right endline while getting shoved aggressively and eventually earned a free kick. Dest set up an Alex Freeman header that extended the U.S. lead to 2-0. Social posts highlighted the reaction in Seattle after the USMNT's second goal against Australia.
Australia Pushes, U.S. Adjusts
Australia picked up pace before the hydration break in the 69th minute. From the 58th through the 65th minute, Australia started pushing the tempo. Midfielder Cristian Volpato replaced forward Mathew Leckie and helped Australia gain possession of the ball more consistently, pressuring the U.S. defense.
The Americans started to make more passes at midfield and settled down before the break. The U.S. huddle featured some spirited conversations at the hydration break, and the field was watered along with the players.
In the 74th minute, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter replaced forward Ricardo Pepi, who played a key role in the Australia own goal and did extensive running that pulled the defense away from other scoring threats. Berhalter was expected to bring energy and stability in the midfield, where Australia made a substitution that overloaded the U.S. defense while it was still in its two forward lineup with Pepi and Folarin Balogun.
U.S. Defensive Subs and Substitution Rule Appeal
In the 80th minute, the U.S. defense cleared a few dangerous plays into the box before defender Sergiño Dest was replaced by defender Joe Scally and defender Auston Trusty replaced defender Antonee Robinson.
The U.S. waited to make sure an injured player was not knocked out of the game, but the referees considered enforcing a rule in place for the World Cup that requires players to leave the pitch within 10 seconds or the substitutes will not be allowed to enter the game for at least one minute. The U.S. won its appeal to the dismay of Australia and avoided going down to nine players.
In the 85th minute, Tyler Adams was knocked down and cleared an Australia shot in the box at the same time the Socceroos were called for a foul in the box. Frustration had built a bit for the U.S. defense, with Australia coming in wave after wave seeking a goal.
Late Cards and Closing Substitutions
Tempers flared in the 89th minute and yellow cards followed. Australia's Harry Souttar had been hounding Folarin Balogun all game. Souttar and Balogun got tangled up fighting for the ball on the Australian side of the field and ultimately each nearly had each other in a headlock. Jacob Italiano pushed a U.S. player after the main skirmish and was also hit with a yellow card.
In the 90th minute plus the second minute, the U.S. had a strong run toward goal, but Folarin Balogun's pass to Sebastian Berhalter led to a turnover. Australia was on a breakaway and Chris Richards made a rough tackle that led to a yellow card on Chris Richards. A referee then cramped and needed help stretching out his leg.
In the 90th minute plus six, Americans Haji Wright replaced Folarin Balogun and Giovanni Reyna replaced Weston McKennie as the U.S. tried to run out the clock on a shutout.
The U.S. held on for the shutout win. The final score was United States 2, Australia 0, guaranteeing the team a spot in the knockout round.
Featured names
- The World Cup
- Christian Pulisic
- Americans Haji
- Folarin Balogun
- Giovanni Reyna
- American Chris
- Sebastian Berhalter
- Chris Richards
- Harry Souttar
- Jacob Italiano
- Auston Trusty
- Antonee Robinson
- Midfielder Sebastian
- Ricardo Pepi
- Midfielder Cristian
- Mathew Leckie
- The Americans
- American Folarin
- Alessandro Circati
- Alex Freeman
- United States
Featured names
- The World Cup
- Christian Pulisic
- Americans Haji
- Folarin Balogun
- Giovanni Reyna
- American Chris
- Sebastian Berhalter
- Chris Richards
- Harry Souttar
- Jacob Italiano
- Auston Trusty
- Antonee Robinson
- Midfielder Sebastian
- Ricardo Pepi
- Midfielder Cristian
- Mathew Leckie
- The Americans
- American Folarin
- Alessandro Circati
- Alex Freeman
- United States
