5 Lessons Learned After USA's 2-0 Win Over Australia at the 2026 World Cup

The United States' flying start to the 2026 World Cup continued on Friday.

The U.S. men's national team topped Australia 2–0 in Seattle, putting their points tally at six to top Group D and guarantee them a spot in the Round of 32. After just 11 minutes, the USMNT pushed out to a lead thanks to an own goal from Australia defender Cameron Burgess. Before halftime, Alex Freeman's strike from close range doubled the lead. While Australia had a few attacking forays in the second period, the U.S. absorbed pressure well and never truly looked back. 

What did we learn from the USMNT's latest World Cup win? Let's dive in.

No Pulisic? No Problem

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In the buildup to the United States' meeting with Australia, one narrative dominated the headlines: Christian Pulisic's availability.

After reportedly picking up a calf injury in training leading up to the team's World Cup opening win against Paraguay, the star had to exit that game at halftime due to an issue in that same left calf. 

Pulisic, who didn't train in full leading into the latest match, was a doubt on Friday — and, indeed, he wasn't available for Mauricio Pochettino.

Though Pulisic was present and an active voice on the United States' bench at Lumen Field, he was replaced by Ricardo Pepi in Pochettino's starting lineup. Pepi, a striker by trade, was used in a different role for the U.S.: as another pure forward alongside Folarin Balogun, in more of a 3-5-2 in possession and a 4-4-2 in defense. While it was a bold choice from Pochettino to dip into a setup he'd never used before in charge of the United States, the choice paid off.

Controlling the game and earning a hard-fought victory without their biggest star? It was a reminder that this U.S. team is more than just Pulisic. This is a true team. 

Balogun Has Another Stand-Out Game

After starring in the United States' 2026 World Cup debut against Paraguay, scoring a brace in a resounding 4-1 victory for the home side, Folarin Balogun was in rip-roaring form ahead of Friday's match.

He delivered yet again for the USMNT, keying the first goal sequence en route to setting the tone for another impressive performance from the hosts. With his savvy off-ball movement, the AS Monaco man ran in behind the Australian defense in the 11th minute, rounded the edge, and progressed the ball all the way to the end line before cutting it back.

With Balogun rushing into the heart of the box and multiple runners crashing from the weak side, so dangerous was the moment from the United States that Australian defender Cameron Burgess was forced to put the ball into the back of Patrick Beach's net.

Just like that, it was 1-0 to the hosts:

Ever since committing to play for the U.S. over England and Nigeria in 2023, Balogun's clever play from the striker position has made him stand out amidst the team's other options. And so far this summer? He's been the team's biggest attacking asset.

Weston McKennie is Dominating the Middle of the Park

In Pulisic's absence, there was no doubt that other established USMNT figures would have to perform against Australia. Now that the dust has settled on the team's showing, it's only right to count Weston McKennie among those who helped the United States maintain quality without the AC Milan winger.

Playing on the right side of a central midfield three for the U.S. in possession, McKennie was incredibly involved for Pochettino's side. With his dynamic off-ball movement, the 27-year-old constantly probed for gaps in Australia's 5-4-1 defensive block — and he found them. On the back of his clever runs down the seam, the United States found plenty of moments to progress the ball into the final third. And thanks to McKennie's chemistry-filled relationship with Sergiño Dest on the right side, the U.S. had plenty of joy and fluidity down that flank.

McKennie was an asset in the attack, with so many of the USMNT's best moments stemming from his influence. His defensive work was crucial, too, as part of a hard-running midfield along with Malik Tillman and Tyler Adams. 

If you're looking for the strength of the United States at this World Cup, you should look to McKennie and the midfield.

The USA Faces a Low-Block Test and Passes With Flying Colors, as Dest and Freeman Provide the Width

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Classically, the U.S. has struggled to break down compact defenses. Without world-class attacking players capable of operating in tight spaces and passing through a sea of bodies, it's been tough sledding for the United States in those sorts of games. 

But against Australia, a team that defeated Turkiye to open their own World Cup slate thanks to one of the deepest and most congested defensive setups used by any team so far this summer, the U.S. managed to manufacture chances. 

They did it through multifaceted attacking play. At times, the USMNT combined well through Tony Popovic's 5-4-1 setup, passing and moving with apparent expertise. Dest, in particular, was flying on the right wing with support from Freeman just behind him. At other times, the U.S. played over the press with precision. At other times still, the U.S. managed to generate looks on set pieces and strike in transition after briefly lulling the Socceroos out of their deep block.

At this World Cup, the United States has shown impressive — and, perhaps, unexpected — offensive verve.

The Minimum Has Been Accomplished

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Thanks to Friday's victory, the United States officially claimed the top spot in Group D over the Socceroos, Paraguay, and Turkiye. Now that they've claimed the pole position, we will see the USMNT in the knockout rounds at the biggest World Cup ever.

Of course, the standard for making those knockouts is low. With not just the top two teams from each group progressing from the opening stage, but also the top eight third-place teams, the bar is closer to ground level at the 2026 edition. Still, the United States has checked every box so far this summer. Along the way, the team has achieved — at least — the bare minimum.

The most encouraging thing for this U.S. team, though, is that more looks possible. Against Paraguay, we saw a silky-smooth United States dominate a game with the ball in a way we'd perhaps never seen before. Against Australia, we saw a gritty, hard-working version of the team maintain some finesse while scratching and clawing their way to another three points.

That there have been different yet still effective versions of the USMNT on display on home soil might just be a positive sign for what's to come from Pochettino's squad later in this World Cup.