SEATTLE — The United States punched their ticket to the World Cup’s round of 32 on Friday after defeating Australia 2-0, but coach Mauricio Pochettino is urging his squad not to let up.
Speaking after the match, Pochettino said the key going forward is “believing that we can win (and) knowing that we need to go really hard” in every game.
The Americans thoroughly controlled the contest, dominating possession throughout a physical affair that saw seven yellow cards handed out — three to the U.S. and four to Australia.
With star forward Christian Pulisic sidelined by injury, 23-year-old Ricardo Pepi stepped into the starting lineup and made his mark. Pochettino had high praise for the young striker, saying, “(Pepi) is for me one of the greatest strikers. He’s getting better every day.”
The U.S. got on the board when Australian defender Cameron Burgess deflected a cross into his own net, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead. U.S. defender Alex Freeman then put the match away late in the first half with a header, pushing the score to 2-0.
Australia made multiple substitutions in the second half in an attempt to mount a comeback, but could not break through the American defensive line. It was the U.S. team’s first clean sheet in nine matches.
The win was historically significant as well — it marked only the second time the United States have won two games in the World Cup group stage. The first came all the way back in 1930, when the U.S. defeated Belgium and Paraguay.
The two other teams in Group D, Paraguay and Turkey, were set to face each other later Friday in San Francisco.
