Player Ratings: USMNT Top Australia 2-0, Advance to World Cup Knockout Stages

Seattle, Wash.- The USMNT has advanced to the World Cup knockout stages. The 2-0 victory over Australia sees the U.S win its first two World Cup games for the first time since 1930 and ensures the U.S. will be playing in the World Cup Round of 32. 

The match was a physical one. Australia came into the match with three points and the chance to clinch the knockout stages. The U.S started in similar fashion with Christian Pulisic out due to his calf injury he picked up against Paraguay. Malik Tillman filled in again, Ricardo Pepi was in for Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun led the line. 

Balogun got the game started off early in the 11th minute, streaking down the line before crossing it in front of the goal before Cameron Burgess put the ball in his own net. Alex Freeman added the second before halftime after reacting first to the deflected shot. 

Australia added pressure in the second half but it wasn’t enough for the American backline. 

Attention now turns to Thursday’s group stage closer against Turkey as the U.S. fights to top the group. 

Matt Freese

Another solid performance from Freese and a clean sheet. Not much to complain about. He made important saves to calm down Australia’s pressure and never truly looked threatened. His distribution was strong, and a really important performance to take into the knockout stages. 7/10

Chris Richards

Got the start again at center back paired up with Tim Ream. Richards was composed on the ball and was clinical in his passing through Australia’s initial pressure. He had several important stops on Australia’s counters and led the backline well. 7/10 

Tim Ream

A clean sheet and three points. The American backline was on another level. Ream was key in stopping counter attacks or dangerous balls into space. He struggled to keep Nestory Irankunda out of the game late on, but he was key in seeing the game out. 7/10

Alex Freeman

An exceptional performance from the wingback. He was important in defending 1-v-1 and was dynamic going forward in his rotation and movement. On the second goal, he reacted the fastest and rose up to give the U.S. a two-goal cushion and score his first ever World Cup goal. 9/10

Antonee Robinson

An impressive performance from the entire backline. Robinson defended well and played several dangerous balls in behind. On the U.S opener, Robinson bent the ball down the line to Balogun into plenty of space to create the own goal. Robinson picked up a yellow card late on. 7/10

Malik Tillman

Tillman filled in at the defensive midfield spot alongside Tyler Adams. He was brilliant in picking the ball up deep and progressing play forward. Tillman seemed to be everywhere and showed his class driving at defenders and creating opportunity. 8/10

Tyler Adams

Alongside Tillman again, Adams serves as a key player in the U.S’s journey to the World Cup knockout stages. Adams broke up several dangerous Australian attacks and had some strong tackles. He led from the back, progressing the ball forward and out wide. He was also important to see the game out. 8/10

Weston McKennie

A standout performance from the U.S. number ten. He showed real quality in the channels of space, picking the ball up out wide and central, making himself almost impossible to mark. He linked up well with Dest creating numerous opportunities. He also got out wide and rotated exceptionally, making marking difficult. 9/10 man of the match

Sergino Dest

Dest featured out wide for the U.S. again and caused a lot of issues for Australia. He was dynamic and bright on the ball and defended well when he had to. His partnership with McKennie was dangerous throughout the first half. Dest was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. 8/10

Ricardo Pepi

Pepi lined out on the wing for the injured Pulisic. He looked dangerous at times and created some chances. He was decent in 1-v-1 moments, but wasn’t as impactful as he could have been. Pepi came off in the 74th for Sebastian Berhalter. 6/10

Folarin Balogun

Balogun created the own goal to get the U.S started. It’s a goal he’d like to claim as his own. He got into great positions in the box and held the ball up brilliantly. He was an important piece for the U.S to be able to advance into the World Cup knockout stages and always looked a danger. 7/10 

Substitutes

Sebastian Berhalter

Berhalter entered the match at the 74th minute for Pepi. He added quality in possession but turned the ball over too frequently. Defensively, Berhalter made several important stops to manage the end of the match well. 6/10

Auston Trusty, Joe Scally subbed on too late to be judged fairly

Mauricio Pochettino 

The U.S. had never clinched a place in the knockout stages with a game to go in the World Cup before today. Coming into the match, the U.S. knew it was going to be difficult against a stalwart Australia side. 

Without Pulisic, Pochettino had to get creative. McKennie flashed out wide at times, Dest was out wide, and the attack rotated fluidly throughout the match. The U.S. were able to break down Australia and limit danger. They were athletic, fluid, and quality. 

The win puts the Americans into the knockout stages, but also helps their chances at winning Group D. Through two games, Pochettino is proving his worth as a coach in tournament soccer. The U.S. looks difficult to break down, dangerous, and a team who can easily make a deep run on home soil. 

There’s a lot to be excited for so far moving deeper into the tournament. 8/10

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