The USMNT's century long wait for history.

The USMNT made history Friday afternoon, accomplishing something they hadn’t done in nearly 100 years: win the first two group stage matches. 

That’s right. The definitely, very successful US Men’s National Team hadn’t won back-to-back games at a World Cup since 1930, when Bert Patenaude – of St. Louis Central Brewers fame – recorded the competition’s first-ever hat trick against Paraguay. 

There were no hat tricks in the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia, but Mauricio Pochettino won’t be too crossed. His side adapted to a more physical Australia side, and adapted without star man Christian Pulisic. Pulisic’s calf injury has kept him training to the side, and while the team is hopeful that the setback is only temporary, his exclusion only made Pochettino’s tactical gamble more impressive. 

Outside of March’s experimentation, the formation under Pochettino had been relatively consistent. The shape within game states was flexible, but the 3-4-2-1 shape had been fairly standard. 

So, reader, you may be surprised to learn that the 3-4-2-1 has been largely absent from both of the USMNT’s opening wins, beating Paraguay with a 4-2-3-1 shape in possession, and upending the upstart Aussies with a formation that will read 3-5-2 on paper was much more flexible outside of Ream and Richards at the back and Balogun up top.

“I really believe in what we are doing,” Pochettino said, sitting in the post-victory glow. “I saw that a team that really believes in what it is doing with different plans, and with a different approach to the games, because we need to be flexible, because all the opponents are completely different.”

The real gamble was including Ricardo Pepi up top next to Balogun in place of the injured Pulisic instead of relying on a more like-for-like sub with Brendan Aaronson, Alex Zendejas, or Gio Reyna. 

The setup paid off instantly with a few good opportunities out wide, Sergiño Dest nearly put the Stars and Stripes ahead, but it was Jedi Robinson‘s pass into Balogun that created the most dangerous early opportunity. A charging Pepi didn’t reach the ball, but his presence near the area tied up Cameron Burgess, resulting in another own goal in the US’s favor. Pepi never registered a shot on target, but his ability off the ball – his understanding of space and his pressing against the ball – caused chaos along the Socceroos’ backline.

“[Pepi]’s getting better and better everyday.” Pochettino bellowed about his young striker. “He can play with another striker, he can play all alone and have an unbelievable capacity to create chances, score goals, and then it works with the possibility to play Haji [Wright] and I think it created a very good combination between our offensive players.”

Defensively, the US locked in. Only allowing one Aussie shot attempt following the goal for a total of 0.10 expected goals. 

Australia found some more success in the second half, but it was only in light of the USMNT’s second goal heading into half time. 

Alex Freeman pounced on the chaos caused by a blocked shot off the corner, and outjumped Patrick Beach as he dunked the deflection home. The goal was just desserts for a great performance out of the backline, assuming the role of RCB in light of Sergiño Dest’s newfound success pushing high into the wings. In practice, Freeman’s usage was that of a more traditional Right Back: tucked into the back line in buildup and in defense opposite of Robinson when the formation was more of a 4-4-2, but with the added dimension of freedom to leave the backline while Ream and Richards stayed home to deal with potential counter attacks.

Pochettino shouted out Oscar Pareja – the former Orland City manager – and the Orlando organization for ushering along Freeman’s development since his full time callup in 2025. 

It’s been a percipitous rise. Freeman had only 4 MLS appearances before the 2025 season when he became an MLS Allstar and drew the eye of La Liga’s Villareal. Along the way, he grew into a larger role along Pochettino’s backline, first as the Sergiño Dest replacement, then as Dest’s defensive cover. 

“[Freeman] is doing a fantastic job; the evolution is massive.” Pochettino reflected. “He’s such a humble guy, he has an amazing profile, is always wanting to learn, always listening. He’s a player that you really enjoy being with, not only coaching, but he’s a lovely guy to be with, and he’s an amazing player who has the potential to be one of the best in the world at his position.”

Heading into the second half, the US weren’t quite as omnipresent as Australia became more dominant in the air, but it was more nuetralizing than dropping the level. Both sides combined for just 0.37 xG throughout the 2nd frame in Seattle and just 0.06 xG on target, brutal. 

Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0.

The US did their job, clinching at least an appearance in the knockouts with 6/6 points, but it was Türkiye’s continued underperformance that helped the US clinch the group with a game to play. The Crescent-Stars followed up their 2-0 loss to Australia with a 0-1 shocker vs Paraguay – made even more frustrating thanks to Miggy Almiron’s red card in first-half stoppage time. 

As an aside, this was the first instance of FIFA’s new anti-racism measures, where talking to an opposing player with your hand over your mouth results in an automatic Red. 

Paraguay wasn’t particularly inspiring either, creating just 0.21 xG on Target along with 0 shots on target in the second half. Fortunately, after a 2nd-minute goal, they didn’t need to be ruthless the rest of the way. Türkiye, once again, took over 30 shot attempts, and hit the target just 5 times for just 0.67 xGOT on 2.17 expected.

It’s a generational crash out for the team most saw as the US’s rival to win the group; instead, they guaranteed their clash on the final matchday will be a dead rubber with Australia and Paraguay fighting for 2nd place. 

Hosts Flying High

The US isn’t the only host nation off to a flying start. 

Both Mexico and Canada sit atop their groups with Mexico the first to clinch in Group play thanks to their 1-0 win over Korea. Mexico hasn’t played the most inspiring soccer, but their 3-0 goal differential has guaranteed them home advantage until the Quarterfinals. As things stand, that could be an R16 match against either England or Portugal at the Azteca. 

Meanwhile in Canada, their 6-0 win over an ill-disciplined Qatar has Les Rouges in the driver’s seat on 4 points with Wednesday’s match against 2nd placed Switzerland hanging in the air. Canada was up 2-0 thanks to Cyle Larin and Jonathan David’s strike partnership, much to the delight of an incredible crowd in Vancouver.

Homam Elamin’s red card practically guaranteed the result, but Jesse Marsch’s side weren’t content sitting on the lead. David made it 3-0 heading into the half, before a very unfortunate series of second-half events. Assim Madibo made a bad decision to tackle Ismaël Koné. The tackle instantly injured Koné, breaking his leg, and setting off a series of scuffles as tensions boiled over. 

“Everybody was crushed when it happened, but we had to find a way to stay focused, we knew that Ismaël wanted us to finish the job,” Jesse Marsch said afterwards. “There’s a lot of thoughts that go through our heads right now, we’re all thinking about him, but we’re all very proud of what we are.”

David finished off his hat trick, cemented by a goal from Nathan Saliba and an own goal to ensure the result. 

Switzerland, also on 4 points, will be looking to upset the hosts, Vancouver, who will now have to manage without one of their most important midfielders. The Swiss had trouble breaking down a stubborn Bosnian side, who were finally able to start Edin Džeko, until the dam finally broke in the 74th minute. A scoreless affair ended 4-1 after a chaotic series of events. Switzerland’s depth was too much for the Dragons to cope with, especially after Tarik Muharemovic’s last-man tackle sent Bosnia down to 10 men. 

BIH will have to pour it on Qatar if they are to keep their place as one of the 8 3rd place teams advancing to the next round. They sit in the final spot as things stand, and will likely find themselves on the outside looking in unless they can pour goals past an overmatched Qatari side.

There will be much to play for in Seattle.