Australia regrets poor first half in 2-0 loss to US

Andy Yamashita, The Seattle Times on Jun 19, 2026

Published in Soccer

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SEATTLE — Sometimes, a race — or a game — can be won at the start. Harry Souttar was determined to make sure that wasn’t the case on Friday at the FIFA Men's World Cup.

“We know they’re going to start sharp. We know they’re going to start fast, just like they did in their opening game,” Souttar, the Australian captain, said Thursday evening. “So we’ve got to match that.”

Souttar’s evaluation of the United States fewer than 19 hours earlier was correct. The Americans, propelled by a sold-out crowd that rattled Seattle Stadium’s press box with every shot, launched themselves into Friday’s game with intensity, deploying their high press almost immediately. The Australians, in comparison, struggled to get out of first gear.

“We just didn’t show that composure that I think we needed well enough,” Souttar said Friday.

Two first-half goals, an own goal conceded by Australia center back Cameron Burgess and a 43rd-minute header by United States defender Alex Freeman guided the Stars and Stripes past the Socceroos 2-0 on Friday. The result clinched the USMNT a spot in the knockout stage of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, leaving Australia to rue its poor start.

“First half, obviously, was disappointing,” Australia midfielder Aiden O’Neill said. “Just to concede two. And I think the way the goals went in, it was a bit unfortunate.”

It took just 11 minutes for Australia’s defense to concede its first goal of the tournament. USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s cutback attempt targeting forward Ricardo Pepi instead connected with Burgess, but his attempted clearance failed to get over goalkeeper Patrick Beach’s cross bar and found the back of the net.

Souttar noted the United States immediately tried to play its forwards into the space behind the Australia defense, a major difference from Turkey, which played centrally and rarely threatened the space the deep Australian low block.

The USMNT continued to pile on pressure. The Americans held 70% possession during the first half, took nine shots and had 14 touches in the Australian 18-yard box. The Socceroos created only two first-half shots and were forced into five blocks during the first 45 minutes. Coach Tony Popovic said his team was bothered by the heat during the first half, but credited the USMNT for applying pressure early.

“We were just flat and lethargic in the first half,” Popovic said.

And one of the Australian blocks led directly to an American goal. Right wingback Sergiño Dest’s 43rd-minute strike off a USMNT set-piece play deflected off Souttar and bounced high into the air. United States defender Alex Freeman was the first to react, beating Beach to the ball after the Australia goalkeeper went to the ground on Dest’s shot, and heading home to double the USMNT advantage.

Australia found some momentum during the second half. It had 46% possession, created three shots and enjoyed more touches in the American 18-yard box. But it was too little, too late. The USMNT was content to waste time instead of pushing forward and exposing themselves to counterattacks. And the Socceroos failed to take advantage of any of the chances they generated.

“We just weren’t able to maybe do exactly what we wanted in the first half,” O’Neill said. “That can happen in football, but you’ve got to be able to deal with that, and then overcome that in the second half.”

The Socceroos still control their own destiny in the World Cup. Australia plays Paraguay in the final game of Group D at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, also known as Levi's Stadium, on June 25, and can clinch a place in the knockout stage with a win because it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with Turkey. An Australia draw with Paraguay will mean the Socceroos future depends on other results.

We know we can go through if we get results," Souttar said. "Full focus and positivity has got to be on that last game.