The United States of America is rolling through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After dismantling Paraguay 4-1 in their opener behind a historic brace from Folarin Balogun, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad took on a tougher Australia side in Seattle on Friday afternoon and carried a commanding 2-0 lead into halftime.
The first goal came in the 11th minute when Balogun charged into the box and sent a cross toward Ricardo Pepi, only for Australian defender Cameron Burgess to deflect the ball into his own net. The second belonged to 21-year-old Alex Freeman, whose father, Antonio Freeman, won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and is enshrined in the franchise’s Hall of Fame.
Pat McAfee, Robert Griffin III Laud Alex Freeman’s World Cup Goal
Freeman’s goal in the 43rd minute came under dramatic circumstances. Minutes earlier, the Villarreal right-back collided with Australia’s Paul Okon-Engstler, and both players went down holding their heads.
Medical staff checked Freeman for a concussion before clearing him to continue. Shortly after, he crashed the box and looped a header over goalkeeper Patrick Beach, but the goal was initially ruled offside. However, VAR overturned the call, and everyone around America began celebrating.
Here’s how the NFL world reacted to Freeman’s goal:
“They were just checking Freeman for a concussion… less than a minute later, he’s scoring a header goal LET’S GOOOOOOOO WE’RE GONNA WIN THE WORLD CUP,” McAfee wrote on X.
Packers Hall of Famer Antonio Freeman’s son⬇️ https://t.co/cdZuPd1uOA
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 19, 2026
“THE PRIDE OF ORLANDO CITY BABYYYY,” CBS Sports’ JP Acosta said on X about Freeman.
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“ALEX FREEMAN GOOOOOOALLLLL,” Robert Griffin III said. “Showing he can do more than just defend with a BEAUTIFUL HEADER.”
He did WHAT?!
Alex Freeman puts @USMNT up 2-0. https://t.co/iT335Kn5Tm
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 19, 2026
“The Freemans are the first ever father-son duo to score a Super Bowl TD and a World Cup goal,” wrote a user on X.
“How cool is this: Alex Freeman, the son of Packers All-Pro WR and Super Bowl winner Antonio Freeman, with the big goal for USA,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz said.
I’ve seen enough, USA is winning it all
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 19, 2026
Antonio spent eight of his nine NFL seasons in Green Bay, where he caught a touchdown pass from Brett Favre in the Packers’ Super Bowl 31 victory over the New England Patriots. He earned a Pro Bowl selection and became one of the most reliable deep threats of his era.
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Alex, born roughly eight months after his father’s final NFL game, chose soccer over football despite growing up in a household with NFL roots. His rise in the soccer world has been rapid, as he went from making his MLS debut with Orlando City in 2023 to winning the league’s Young Player of the Year award in 2025 to a January transfer to Villarreal in Spain’s La Liga.
The USMNT’s 2-0 halftime lead against a quality Australia team that opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Turkey is a strong statement, especially without injured star Christian Pulisic in the lineup.
If the Americans hold on in the second half, they will have six points from two matches and all but clinch a spot in the round of 32. It will be interesting to see whether the U.S. can add to its lead and keep this dream start alive.
