North Texas Talent Leads USA to World Cup Knockout Stage

SEATTLE — The United States Men’s National Team is through to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 2-0 victory over Australia at Lumen Field on Friday, June 19, with four North Texas-developed players on display.

Australia defender Cameron Burgess scored an own goal in the 11th minute under pressure from FC Dallas product Ricardo Pepi (No. 9, El Paso). Alex Freeman headed home a second in the 43rd minute — the first World Cup goal by a USMNT defender since John Brooks in 2014. The Americans posted 70 percent possession and 259 accurate passes to Australia’s 78 in the first half. Pochettino’s starting XI: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson; Adams, Tillman, McKennie; Dest; Pepi, Balogun. Pulisic missed out with a calf injury.

The Americans opened the tournament with a 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.

Grayson County connection

Little Elm’s Weston McKennie (No. 8, Juventus), the FC Dallas academy product who grew up minutes from Van Alstyne, started in midfield and played the full 96 minutes. Pepi, Chris Richards (No. 3), and Alex Zendejas (No. 26, El Paso) round out the four FC Dallas products on the USMNT roster.

Van Alstyne establishments filled for the afternoon kickoff. Argentina faces Austria at AT&T Stadium on Monday, June 22; the USMNT meets Turkey on June 25 in Los Angeles.

> "USA is headed to the Round of 32 at the World Cup. USMNT 2-0 Australia." — @garlandgillen on X

> "USA beats Australia 2-0 to reach 6 points and clinch a spot in the World Cup knockout round." — @DallasTexasTV on X