US Advance to Round of 32 Without Injured Pulisic

The United States clinched a spot in the World Cup round of 32 on Friday, beating Australia 2-0 in Seattle. The win came without star forward Christian Pulisic, who missed the match with a calf injury.

Pulisic hurt his calf during the opening win against Paraguay. Pochettino said after the Australia game it had been "impossible" for him to play. The coach had earlier suggested Pulisic might be available against Turkey. After the match, he only expressed hope Pulisic could help "as soon as possible."

The U.S. struck early. An own goal from Australia's Cameron Burgess in the 11th minute gave them the lead. Alex Freeman doubled the advantage just before halftime, heading home after a VAR review confirmed he was onside. The play was initially flagged offside. The review showed offside players did not interfere.

The win put the U.S. on six points with one group match left, guaranteeing passage regardless of other results.

For Pochettino, the performance answered a question he had not wanted to test.

"It's always difficult because we want to have all the players," Pochettino said. "Christian is an important player for us, but... it was impossible today for him to play. We hope that next game he will be available."

He added that a World Cup run would need contributions beyond any single player.

Midfielder Weston McKennie pointed to the squad's flexibility.

"We can play the physical game because we have guys on the field who are ready to step up for that, and we have guys with quality who can play possession-based football," he said.

The U.S. will close group play Thursday against Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium. A win or draw would secure first place in Group D, though that outcome could be decided earlier if Turkey drops points against Paraguay on Friday.

Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the opening match, helped create the Burgess own goal. The sequence made the U.S. the first team in World Cup history to benefit from own goals in consecutive games.