A shorthanded USA team continued its momentum, clinching first place in its World Cup group with a win over Australia.
SEATTLE (AP) — of Christian Pulisic absence of injury it didn’t hurt the United States at all.
The Americans advanced to the knockout round of World Cup without their injured striker, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday for their second straight win in the expanded 48-team tournament. The USA then won Group D when Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 early Saturday morning.
“CP is a fantastic player – the quality and leadership he gives us,” said Folarin Balogunwho scored two goals in a 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12. “We didn’t have that today, but I think you saw that we’re still capable of going out there and getting a result and putting on a performance.”
As the winner of Group D, the USA will play a round of 32 match on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif., against a third-place finisher in the group.
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed Friday’s game with a calf injury.
Playing without a talent like Pulisic could have ruined previous American World Cup teams. But much has changed since the USA last hosted the World Cup in 1994, when they advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. The Americans lost to eventual champions Brazil in the round of 16.
The USA has won back-to-back games in a World Cup for the first time since 1930. The Americans have scored six goals, one shy of their World Cup record, and have gotten contributions from their entire roster.
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 years old and son of former NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Antonio Freemanmade it 2-0 in the 43rd minute after a set shot. Freeman headed in a deflected shot from Sergiño Dest for his first career World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review.
“(He’s) doing a fantastic job,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Freeman. “The evolution is massive. He’s very humble. He wants to learn. He’s always listening. He’s a player you really enjoy being with. Not just training, but being with him.”
The USA took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on a left wing shot by Balogun.
He headed a pass through the center to striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in place of Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos net for an own goal.
“I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” said Balogun. “I might not always be the one to score, but if I can force a mistake that gives us the lead, then to me it’s like a goal as well. It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum.”
The Americans didn’t score after half-time, but the way they so completely dominated Australia in the first 45 minutes left an impression on Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“It didn’t surprise us because their quality is clear,” Popovic said. “Their power is clear. Their athleticism is clear. They’re not surprising in what they did.”
Expectations will only increase for the US as well momentum builds around the team. The start of the Americans in the tournament has not changed Pochettino’s perception of his team and its potential.
“I think it’s much better when you show good performances and win games,” Pochettino said. “I think that makes it easier, everything. But, at the same time, it’s (important) to keep believing.”
USA learned they can get out of the group stage without Pulisic. And it has the roster to make a deep run.
“We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can contribute to the game,” Freeman said. “For us it was, we have Ricardo Pepi, who came in and had a great game. I think that shows how (good) our roster is.”
By ANDREW DESTIN AP Sports Writer
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