USA Downs Australia 2-0, Closes In on World Cup Group Win

The United States are one step away from winning their World Cup group. They beat Australia 2-0 in Seattle on Friday night, in front of a packed, loud crowd that got behind the team from start to finish.

It's the first time since 1930 that the US has won back-to-back matches at a World Cup. And if Turkey fail to beat Paraguay later today, the Americans will be confirmed as group winners without even needing to play their final match.

Christian Pulisic sat this one out with a calf injury, but the US didn't seem to miss him much in the first half. They pressed hard from the opening whistle and turned that pressure into two goals before the break.

The first came in unusual fashion. In the 11th minute, Folarin Balogun sprinted to the byline and cut the ball back across the box. Australian defender Cameron Burgess got a touch on it, but the wrong kind, turning it into his own net.

Minutes before halftime, the US doubled their lead. Sergino Dest's shot took a deflection, and Alex Freeman was the quickest to react, heading it past keeper Patrick Beach. The goal almost didn't stand, it was initially flagged offside, but a VAR review overturned the call.

Balogun, who scored twice in the Americans' 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opener, nearly added a third early in the second half when he was sent through on goal, but he couldn't finish it off.

Australia barely tested the US defense all match. Their best look came just 40 seconds in, when Mohamed Toure fired a low shot that was saved. 

Coach Tony Popovic shook things up at halftime, bringing on Nestory Irankunda, who had been a surprising benching after scoring in Australia's win over Turkey. He made an immediate difference, driving down the wing and setting up Cristian Volpato, who blazed his shot over the bar.

The US backed off the gas a bit as the second half wore on, understandably given the scoreline, and Australia got a glimpse of a way back in when captain Harry Souttar rose to meet a free kick knockdown, but he couldn't direct it on target.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino's side now sits in a strong position. A first-place finish in Group D would mean the US faces a third-place team in the round of 32.

Both teams play their final group match on Friday, June 26. The US takes on Turkey in Los Angeles, while Australia faces Paraguay in Santa Clara.