With the U.S. leading 1-0 in the 43rd minute, Antonee Robinson sent a free kick to Sergi\u00f1o Dest, who took a shot from just outside the penalty area. The ball deflected off an Australian defender and into the air, and the 6-3 Freeman showed his leaping ability, heading it past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Patrick Beach and into the net.<\/p>\n
A replay review for offside delayed Team USA\u2019s celebration, but the goal was confirmed, Freeman\u2019s teammates swarmed him.<\/p>\n
![\"SEATTLE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2282396764.jpg\" "\\"GettyImages-2282396764.jpg\\"")
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 19: Alex Freeman #16 of the United States heads to score the team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Emilee Chinn\/Getty Images) Emilee Chinn Getty Images <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was surreal, knowing that I was able to contribute to my team in any way I can,\u201d Freeman said on the FOX post-game interview. \u201cObviously, at first, it was disallowed, so I was kind of anxious when it went to VAR.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen [the goal] was confirmed, I looked back and [my teammates] all started running! I thought, \u2018Oh my God, I gotta run away from them! They\u2019re gonna tackle me!\u2019 And then we ended up running to the corner flag, and it was so emotional for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou dream of this moment, and for it to finally happen, and to have such a support system to help you celebrate it, it just means so much!\u201d<\/p>\n
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino gushed over Freeman in his post-game press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is such a humble guy, he has an amazing profile, he wants to learn, he always listens,\u201d Pochettino said. \u201cHe\u2019s a player that you really enjoy being with, not only coaching him, but being with him because he is a lovely guy and an amazing player. For me, he has the potential to be one of the best players in his position in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeman, who plays for Spanish La Liga club Villarreal, is the son of Antonio Freeman, who was an All-Pro wide receiver and member of the 1997 Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. The younger Freeman played football, basketball and tennis as a child, but fell in love with soccer when his stepfather Jake Hinkle introduced him to the game.<\/p>\n
He tried out for the Inter Miami youth academy at age 15 but didn\u2019t make the cut, so he followed his former Weston FC coach Javier Carrillo to the Orlando City academy, wound up on their first team and in January 2026 moved to Villarreal on a $4 million transfer.<\/p>\n
Team USA was without captain Christian Pulisic on Friday because of a calf injury, but put high pressure on Australia the entire first half to take a 2-0 lead into intermission.<\/p>\n
The first goal came in the 11th minute after U.S. striker Folarin Balogun made a deep run on the left flank, sent a low cross into the box and Australia defender Cameron Burgess inadvertently tapped the ball in for the own goal.<\/p>\n
The USA, which outscored its first two opponents 6-1, joined Mexico as the second team to book a spot to the knockout round and clinched the top spot in Group D after Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 in the later game. Turkey was eliminated from advancing to the knockout round with its second straight loss. Paraguay will face Australia in the final match of the group stage next Thursday, with second place in the group on the line and the USA plays Turkey in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Pochettino said Pulisic was not quite ready to play on Friday, but seemed hopeful he could play against Turkey; although with the group win already sealed, the coach could choose to rest Pulisic until the knockout stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s difficult because we want to have all the players; he\u2019s an important player for us, Christian, but that is a team and it was impossible today for him to play,\u201d Pochettino said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that for the next game he will be available but if we want to win the competition, we need the whole team and all the players to be important. But of course Christian is one of the best players in the world, and I hope that he can recover as soon as possible and can enjoy being on the pitch and helping the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fans gathered to watch the game at bars all over South Florida. They left in a good mood.<\/p>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/MIA_102FIFAUSAAUS19NEWPPP.JPG\" "\\"MIA_102FIFAUSAAUS19NEWPPP.JPG\\"")
Soccer fans reacted as the USA team scores their first goal against Australia as they watched a match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus in Coral Gables, on Friday June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that is the most complete U.S. team that I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d said Benito Del Cueto, who watched with his family at Fritz&Franz Bierhaus in Coral Gables. \u201cI think the English and European players on the team are finally connected with each other and we have a very good chance to go a long way in this tournament. I am having the time of my life watching this World Cup. I\u2019m an EPL fan, a Tottenham fan, a Barcelona fan, so this is the best time for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Midfielder Weston McKennie said the Americans are not satisfied yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing to know that we\u2019re going through, but we don\u2019t want to just go through, we want to win the group,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 7:42 PM.<\/p>\n