US Clinches 1st in Group D with Win Over Austrailia

Kobain Reid
5 days ago
2 min read

Credit Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

SEATTLE, WA - The US rolled into their second game looking for a win to cement themselves at the top of Group D; Australia changed their game plan from their first match against Turkiye to a more fast-paced, aggressive play style. This ultimately lead to their position on the field having more spacing, but allowed the US to easily counterattack.

The USA looked dominant through the whole game. USA dominated the stat sheet with 63% posession, better passing, and more overall shots.

In the 11th minute, Balogun outran the Australian defense. Bringing the ball into the box from the left side, he passed into the middle looking for Pepi, but instead Cameron Burgess for Australia would unfortunately knock the ball into his own net. This would be the second game in a row where USA opened up the scoring with an own goal, as it was it was a similar play to the own goal against Paraguay.

Australia had few chances at goal and looked extremely sloppy throughout. They received 4 yellow cards to USA’s 3, some of which were avoidable infractions for the socceroos. In an interview with Kai Trewin for Australia before the game, he mentinoed that this was the game that they most wanted to win. That mentality translated into desperation and sloppy plays.

In the 43rd Minute, USA received a free kick about 23 feet outside the box, and Robinson took the kick, handing it off into the middle for Dest. Dest took the shot, which deflected off of an Australian player into a perfect position for Alex Freeman to get a free header off the goal line.

Freeman scored but it was quickly called offside, and after a VAR review, the goal was ruled good, making the lead 2-0 going into halftime.

The 2nd half was full of infractions, 4 of which were given with 3 minutes from the 89’ - 92’ Minute. Robinson for the US got the first of the second half in the 56’ minute, the rest given after the 89’ minute.

Australia had a few chances inside the box towards the end of the game, but the USA defense found miraculous saves and were too strong for the Australian side.

STANDINGS:

USA - 6

Australia - 3

Paraguay - 3

Türkiye - 0

SCHEDULE:

USA Vs Turkiye - June 25, 9:00 PM CST

Paraguay Vs Australia - June 25, 9:00 PM CST