Believe it.
This was always the hope, the promise, of this so-called golden generation of American soccer players: guys like Pulisic—who missed the game with a calf injury—Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams, all of whom honed their crafts in top European leagues. They were supposed to be primed for the 2026 World Cup on home soil and take a program long considered mediocre at the elite world level to new frontiers.
Read more: 'Why Not Us?': At the World Cup, America Can Start Dreaming Bigger
In all those modern-era years the U.S. reached the knockout stage—1994, the quarterfinal push in 2002, 2010, 2014, 2022—never did they win consecutive games in the group play. In fact, the last time the U.S. won two straight games in a World Cup was 1930, the inaugural event, when the U.S. reached the semis.
Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who’s winning plaudits for his no-nonsense commentary on Fox Sports during this World Cup, played for clubs like Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain. He has little reason to shill for the States. Ibrahimovic said yesterday, without reservation, that this American team could go all the way.
As expected, Aussies brought the roughhousing. Adams, for one, spent a fair portion of the first half on the grass, writhing in pain. But the Americans tussled right back, and never totally lost their cool. “You need to play into it a little bit and understand what the game requires, and that's what it required today,” says Adams. The Socceroos won the yellow card contest, 4-3.
Officially, it’s an own-goal. But give Balogun full credit. “I want to be dangerous,” Balogun says. “I want to create opportunities. It might not always be myself that scores. But if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it's like a goal as well.”
Defender Alex Freeman’s insurance goal in the 43rd minute wasn’t just notable for the athleticism Freeman displayed on a leaping header. Or that Freeman had just suffered a head-on-head collision with Paul Okon-Engstler of Australia moments before (he was cleared to play after a concussion check, drawing criticism from some head trauma experts). Rather, it was the celebration that really stood out. Freeman was originally called offsides, but the replay booth took a look: After confirming the goal, about a dozen bench players charged after Freeman as he ran into a far corner of the field.
Freeman, who plays for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, is appearing in his first World Cup at age 21. “There's just certain guys that in the changing room, in and around the team, are always positive,” says Adams. “Whether he's playing, not playing, playing well, playing bad, it doesn't matter. He's grown so much in the past couple of years. For him to put the cherry on top in a moment like that, you see what it means to the team.”
The World Cup is setting viewership records. All those big New York Knicks watch parties you saw online during the team’s run to its first NBA championship in 53 years? They’re also happening all over for the USMNT.
“I'm sure that won't be the last time during this tournament that will happen,” he says.
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