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U.S. Wins 2-0, Secures Group D Top Spot

6/22/2026

26 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

After the United States' 2-0 win over Australia, venues played John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” the team’s anthem.
The United States qualified for the Cup round of 32 as Group D winners after 4-1 and 2-0 wins over Paraguay and Australia.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino will keep his lineup but rest yellow-carded players before the July 1 knockout.
ESPN placed the United States at No. 9.
The round-of-32 opponent is still undecided.

History

Historical Context

Hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the United States opened at the Rose Bowl before 94,194 fans and advanced as a best-third-placed team, its first World Cup win since 1950. That breakthrough helped sustain U.S. participation, and the 2024 squad coached by Mauricio Pochettino again reached the knockout stage in the tournament.

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Story summary

After the United States' 2-0 win over Australia, venues played John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” the team’s anthem.
The United States qualified for the Cup round of 32 as Group D winners after 4-1 and 2-0 wins over Paraguay and Australia.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino will keep his lineup but rest yellow-carded players before the July 1 knockout.
ESPN placed the United States at No. 9.
The round-of-32 opponent is still undecided.

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