USA defeats Australia at World Cup with Trinity Rodman and Ciara watching from the stands

USMNT beat Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 19, 2026, clinching a Round of 32 berth. Christian Pulisic missed the match with a calf injury; Cameron Burgess's 11th-minute own goal and Alex Freeman's 43rd-minute header secured the win.

USWNT captain Trinity Rodman delivered the ceremonial match ball. Ciara, Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Paris Hilton, Alex Morgan and RFK Jr. attended. USA faces Turkey Thursday in Los Angeles.

What happened in the USA vs Australia World Cup match?

Christian Pulisic watched from the bench Friday night, and it didn't matter. An own goal from Australia defender Cameron Burgess, set up by a scintillating run from Folarin Balogun, put the U.S. ahead in the 11th minute. Alex Freeman doubled the lead in the 43rd minute, nodding home a deflected shot at Lumen Field in Seattle.

For the 21-year-old Freeman, it was his first career World Cup goal, the latest step in a remarkable rise for a player who'd made his first national team appearance barely a year earlier.Pochettino made the call to sit Pulisic rather than risk further damage. Pulisic's status had been in question all week after he was substituted at halftime against Paraguay, and he'd been limited in training since. With Ricardo Pepi starting in his place and the U.S.

shifting to a 5-3-2, the attack barely broke stride. The win marked the first time the U.S. has won consecutive World Cup matches since 1930.

How did Trinity Rodman and other celebrities factor into the USA-Australia match?

Before kickoff, USWNT captain Trinity Rodman carried the match ball onto the pitch, drawing one of the loudest pregame reactions of the tournament. Ciara performed the ceremonial coin toss alongside her husband, former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, returning to the stadium where he made his name.

Marshawn Lynch worked the sideline with a camera before watching the second half from a suite. Paris Hilton, Alex Morgan, Zach LaVine and Paolo Banchero were also in the crowd. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. watched from a suite, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio's appearance at the USA-Paraguay opener.

What's next for the USMNT?

The U.S. returns to Los Angeles on Thursday to close group play against Turkey, already through to the knockout rounds regardless of result. Pulisic's availability for that match remains undetermined.Elsewhere in sports this week: Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte got engaged to girlfriend Molly Gillihan, proposing at the Gainesville restaurant where they had their first date, as the couple prepares to relocate to Missouri.