Full time: USA 2 – 0 Australia
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Alex Freeman 43′
USA 2 – 0 Australia
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Cameron Burgess 11′
USA 1 – 0 Australia
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The United States will be without star forward Christian Pulisic for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D clash against Australia.
The AC Milan attacker was substituted at half-time during the USA’s opening match against Paraguay last week. Although both Pulisic and head coach Mauricio Pochettino initially described the change as a precautionary measure, the injury has now forced the American captain out of the squad entirely for the Australia encounter.
Despite Pulisic’s absence, the USA starting XI still features Serie A representation through Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. Former Milan full-back Sergiño Dest also retains his place in Pochettino’s side.
Australia, meanwhile, have included Parma defender Alessandro Circati in their starting line-up. Former Italy youth international Cristian Volpato begins the match on the bench.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 BST.
Confirmed Line-ups
USA (4-2-3-1):
Freese; Freeman, Ream, Richards, A. Robinson; Adams, McKennie; Dest, Tillman, Balogun; Pepi.
Substitutes:
Turner, Brady, Trusty, M. Robinson, Arfsten, McKenzie, Scally, Reyna, Berhalter, Roldan, Aaronson, Wright, Weah, Zendejas.
Australia (5-4-1):
Beach; Italiano, Souttar, Burgess, Bos, Circati; Leckie, O’Neill, Okon-Enstler, Velupillay; Toure.
Substitutes:
Ryan, Izzo, Degenek, Geria, Trewin, Behich, Herrington, Metcalfe, Devlin, Irvine, Hrustic, Mabil, Irankunda, Volpato, Yengi.
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Both teams enter the high-stakes Group D clash sitting on three points following impressive opening-match performances. The USMNT dominated Paraguay in a -41 routing in Los Angeles, while the Socceroos pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset against Turkiye in Vancouver.
However, a major question mark hangs over the American squad ahead of kickoff at Seattle’s famously loud Lumen Field.
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Star winger Christian Pulisic’s status remains up in the air after he was substituted at halftime during the opening victory. With yellow card accumulation also a factor—midfielder Tyler Adams is one caution away from a suspension—head coach Mauricio Pochettino may be forced into some strategic lineup rotation in front of what is expected to be a historic, packed home crowd.
