Alex Freeman seals it as USA brush past Australia for second win

An early Cameron Burgess own goal and a first-half strike from breakout right-back Alex Freeman gave the United States a 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle. Two wins from two send Pochettino's hosts top of Group D.

The United States kept their fast start to a home World Cup rolling, beating Australia 2-0 at a raucous Lumen Field in Seattle to make it two wins from two and move clear at the top of Group D.

The hosts struck early and never looked back. On eleven minutes a low ball flashed across the Australian six-yard box, and Cameron Burgess could only turn it into his own net under pressure. It was a cruel way for the Swansea defender to mark his first World Cup, and it set the tone for a long night for the Socceroos.

Alex Freeman doubled the lead two minutes before the break, the right-back arriving to finish off another patient American move. Freeman has been the find of the tournament for the hosts. A homegrown talent at Orlando City who earned a move to Villarreal last year, the 21-year-old has taken a starting spot in Mauricio Pochettino's side and plays without a hint of nerves on the biggest stage.

From there the United States managed the game without ever shifting into top gear. Christian Pulisic pulled the strings from the left and Folarin Balogun led the line with menace, while Australia struggled to string moves together. The hosts finished with sixty-three per cent of the ball, almost five hundred passes and seven corners, and held Australia to two shots on target.

This was a chastening night for Australia after their opening win over Turkey. Mathew Ryan made a couple of smart saves to keep the score respectable, and Nestory Irankunda offered the odd spark going forward, but Tony Popovic's side rarely threatened. They stay on three points and have it all to do in their final group game.

The United States, by contrast, look like a host nation finding form at the right time. Six points from six, one goal conceded, and a young team growing into the tournament. After the four-goal rout of Paraguay, Pochettino can start to think about managing legs with the knockout rounds in view.

For Kenyan fans who stayed up for the late Seattle kick-off, the Americans were comfortable value. Wenyeji wameamua kuonyesha ni nyumbani kwao: the hosts have decided to show this is their home, and right now nobody in Group D is living with them.