“The U.S. men’s national soccer team rolled into the World Cup knockout rounds with a 2-0 win over Australia on Friday. In front of a raucous, star-spangled crowd here at Lumen Field, even without their best player, Christian Pulisic (calf), the Americans raced past a tough Australia side and sealed a spot in the round of 32 with one group match to spare. … Alex Freeman, the team’s youngest player at age 21, headed in the second and took his breakout stardom to a new level. And on the other end, the defense held firm despite some nervy and sloppy moments in the face of Australia’s desperation, posting the team’s first clean sheet in 10 matches. Nearly every U.S. player who touched the field played with confidence, fluidity and verve, and further fueled dreams that a historic World Cup run could be possible. …”
NYT/ATH
YouTube: United States Scores TWO GOALS in First Half vs Australia
USMNT beats Australia, soars into World Cup knockout stage; How’d they do it without Pulisic?
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“Mexico have become the first team to book their place in the World Cup knockout stage — and with their co-hosts Canada also making their mark with a huge win yesterday, attention now turns to whether the United States can continue to make home advantage count. This is the first World Cup to be held across three countries and so far the hosts are loving it. Canada recorded their first-ever win at the men’s World Cup finals, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver yesterday to move into top spot in Group B, above Switzerland on goal difference. In the day’s final game, Mexico secured top spot in Group A with a hard-fought victory against South Korea in Guadalajara. …”
Scissors Kick 