Socceroos' Qualification Hopes Dashed
United States Downs Australia 2-0 in Group D, Halting Early World Cup Qualification Bid
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Key Points
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Popovic’s pre-match selection adjustment—benching Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe (both from the opening win over Türkiye) for Nishan Velupillay and Mathew Leckie—“backfired” as the US dominated from the outset.
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Australia nearly struck early: Mo Toure’s high pressure helped create a shot from a tight angle within the opening minute.
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At Seattle Stadium (66,925 fans), the healthy Australian contingent was outnumbered by the US crowd; the report says the Socceroos looked “intimidated and nervous.”
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Beyond the goals, the US were described as bullying Australia physically and dominating “in every element,” while Cameron Burgess was said to be “uncharacteristically shaky on the ball” and was hooked at halftime.
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Popovic’s halftime overhaul was a triple change: Jason Geria replaced Cameron Burgess; Connor Metcalfe came on for Nishan Velupillay; and Nestory Irankunda replaced Mo Toure.
The United States defeated Australia 2-0 at Seattle Stadium on June 19, sending the Socceroos to the brink of World Cup elimination. Two first-half goals — an 11th-minute own goal by Cameron Burgess and a 43rd-minute header by Alex Freeman — were enough for the US to clinch their spot in the Round of 32 with six points, according to FIFA.
Australia, who beat Türkiye 2-0 in their opener, now sit on three points in Group D. They must get a result against Paraguay on June 25 to have any hope of advancing, with Mathew Leckie's fitness also now in doubt after he limped off with an apparent leg injury in the 60th minute, Al Jazeera reported.
Two Quick Goals Buried Australia Before Halftime
The US struck early and never looked back. In the 11th minute, Folarin Balogun drove down the left flank and whipped in a low cross that Burgess turned into his own net, ESPN reported. Then, just before halftime, Freeman headed in a rebound from a deflected Sergiño Dest shot. The goal was initially ruled offside but VAR overturned it after a two-minute review, according to the Associated Press.
The US controlled the ball with 62% possession and bullied Australia in almost every physical contest, Olympics.com reported. The Guardian described the Socceroos as looking "intimidated and nervous" in front of the sellout crowd of 66,925 — most of them cheering for the home side. Burgess, described as "uncharacteristically shaky on the ball," did not come out for the second half.
Popovic's Team Selection Gamble Badly Backfired
Coach Tony Popovic made a bold call before kickoff. He dropped Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe — two key players from the win over Türkiye — and started Nishan Velupillay and Mathew Leckie instead. Analysts at Football 360 said this stripped Australia of the transition speed and "swagger" that had rattled Türkiye in Vancouver.
Popovic then made a triple substitution at halftime. Jason Geria replaced Burgess, Metcalfe came on for Velupillay, and Irankunda replaced Mo Toure. Australia looked sharper after the break, but could not find a way through. Popovic also took a swipe at the referee after the game, saying he felt the officiating favored the host nation, according to Fox Sports.
Freeman's First World Cup Goal Steals the Spotlight
The biggest story for the US was 21-year-old Alex Freeman. The Villarreal defender, son of NFL star Antonio Freeman, scored his first-ever World Cup goal. "It was surreal... I was anxious when it went to VAR, but to celebrate with my teammates made it," he told NFL.com.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino was equally upbeat despite missing star Christian Pulisic. "We hope Christian will be available next game, but we showed today that we need the whole squad," he said, according to Al Jazeera. The win also made the US the first men's team to benefit from own goals in two straight World Cup matches, Fox Sports noted.
Leckie Injury Clouds Australia's Must-Win Paraguay Match
Australia's path forward is narrow but still open. A win or draw against Paraguay on June 25 could be enough to advance, depending on the Türkiye-Paraguay result, according to Bolavip. But losing Leckie — a 35-year-old veteran on his fourth World Cup — would hurt badly. His experience and leadership are things Australia can ill-afford to lose in a do-or-die game.
The Guardian framed the defeat as a broader reckoning for Australian soccer — one where Popovic's careful planning still could not close the gap in pace, resources, and long-term development between the two nations. The "Layup Row" that began in December 2025, when US pundit Mike Grella called Australia an easy win, now looks less like a taunt and more like a scouting report, according to the Taipei Times.
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