USMNT Stock Up, Stock Down: The U.S. defeats Australia 2-0, guaranteeing the first place finish in the group

By Billy McGee (@iambillymcgee)

Photo Courtesy of Cisco's Art/TopBin90

The USMNT made history with their 2-0 win over Australia, taking all three points from each of their first two group stage games at the World Cup for the first time since 1930. The scoring got started with an own goal for the second straight game, and Alex Freeman headed home the second.

Here’s our stock up, stock down for the USMNT’s second win in their World Cup campaign:

Stock Up

Alex Freeman - The 21-year-old defender had one of the best performances of his short career against Australia on Friday, having a sound defensive performance and being the only USMNT player to score in the match. Along with Tim Ream and Chris Richards, Freeman helped provide a strong backline that kept a clean sheet against an Australian team that was able to put two goals past Turkiye in Round 1. He made four tackles, five clearances, two interceptions, and went 10/14 in duels. In possession, he completed two successful dribbles, went 2/4 on accurate long balls, and made seven passes into the final third, on top of scoring the goal.

Sergiño Dest - Dest did a lot of work on the right side with the U.S. lining up with two strikers, a different formation than is typical for them, due to Christian Pulisic being unavailable. He was credited with one chance created, took the most shots of any USMNT player in the match with three, and went 23/24 on accurate passes, including one long ball and one cross on just 39 touches. He played a big part in helping balance the attack while shorthanded.

Weston McKennie - Playing on the right side of the midfield, McKennie also provided crucial support in possession next to Dest. He did miss a big chance, but he made up for it in other areas, creating three chances, the most in the match, with an accurate cross and four passes into the final third. He didn’t have a lot of touches compared to the other midfielders, but was efficient when on the ball, generating 0.54 xG+A on his 55 touches. His steady presence in the midfield helps provide a good floor for the team and elevates their ceiling when he’s on his game.

Stock Down

Ricardo Pepi - Pepi started alongside Folarin Balogun as a striker duo with the absence of Pulisic, leaving something to be desired. The 23-year-old had just two shots, with 0.11 xG in 74 minutes before being subbed off. Of his 25 touches, only two were in the box and went 3/12 on duels, including 2/9 on aerial duels. His lackluster performance was covered up by the combination of McKennie and Dest on the right side. The U.S. will need more consistent play from their strikers in future must-win games; luckily, they won’t be in a must-win situation against Turkiye, having already clinched first place in the group.