The USMNT brushed aside the Socceroos with a comfortable 2-0 win in Seattle, as they secured qualification and look certain to top Group D.

The match began as many thought it would, with the USA piling on the pressure against the Socceroos backline, and the Aussies looking to get bodies behind the ball and catch the hosts out on the break. 

However, it was deja vu for the Stars and Stripes, as they went 1-0 up in the 11th minute thanks to an own goal from Australian centre-back Cameron Burgess, making it the seventh of the tournament so far. It came after the in-form Folarin Balogun burst into the box and cut the ball back, only to be bundled in by Burgess from close range.

The hosts dominated play in the first half, with Weston McKennie posing a threat from the middle of the park, making darting runs in behind the Socceroos back-five on many occasions.

Australia seemed rattled by the American press and made mistakes throughout the first period, which were not present in their previous fixture. Mauricio Pochettino had set a game plan, and his players were executing it perfectly.

The hosts struck again just before half-time, after a well-worked free-kick routine found Sergino Dest on the edge of the box, whose strike deflected, and was pounced upon by Alex Freeman, who headed calmly into an empty net.

It was a goal that stamped another superb first-half performance by Mauricio Pochettino's men and put the United States in the driving seat going into the second period.

A triple change was made before the second half began, with Popovic introducing both of Australia's goalscorers from the win over Turkiye, Nestroy Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, perhaps regretting his decision not to start either player.

USA continued dominating the play, as it seemed that despite the changes, Popovic's system remained the same, and the Aussies found themselves being put under constant pressure by an aggressive side.

As the game progressed, the Socceroos began to commit bodies forward, which freed up space in midfield, and allowed Folarin Balogun to break the lines on multiple occasions, and should have done better on a few of them. 

There were far fewer chances as the game progressed, as Australia didn't have the attacking quality to cause the US any problems whilst the hosts began to coast through the game and drop a few gears. 

The Socceroos showed their frustration by the end of the game, after a melee led to three yellow cards in quick succession, caused by Balogun's persistence to wind up the Aussie defenders.

The game ended 2-0 to the States, with all the damage being done in the first half, and cementing the USA as a team to keep an eye out for as they enter the knockout stages.

The USMNT are looking to make it a home tournament to remember, as they secure qualification after purring in two resounding performances, which have attracted eyes across the globe as a potential surprise package at this year's World Cup.

Before the tournament, questions were being asked of Pochettino, whether his style or team selection was correct, and if he was the right man for the job. However, the Argentinian has proven any doubters wrong and has transformed the nation into one of the most dangerous in the tournament.

Every player in red and white put in a solid performance, but it was Weston McKennie, Mallick Tilman and Sergino Dest that caused Australia the most problems. McKennie and Tilman dominated the midfield, and every dangerous US attack came down the right-hand side thanks to the magnetic touch and explosive dribbling of Dest.

The Stars and Stripes look almost certain to finish top of Group D, and their final match against Turkiye is a chance to prove themselves against the only other team in their group that can match them up on technical ability.

When the Australian lineup was announced, many viewed it as weaker than the side fielded in their previous match, despite this being arguably the more important fixture. The decision to leave out both Nestroy Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, the two goal scorers against Turkiye, demonstrated the defensive approach Popovic was taking into the game.

Despite the 52-year-old making the changes at halftime, his refusal to alter the defensive system proved costly, especially as his players seemed slightly fatigued and a lot less dangerous on the break, due to Pochettino's rapid pressing style of play.

By the time the Socceroos started throwing bodies forward, it was too late, and they did not have enough quality at the top end of the pitch to put the US backline under any sort of meaningful pressure.

It is a result that will disappoint the Aussies, but due to their opening game win, they should still manage to qualify for the knockouts if they can pick up any points in their final group match against Paraguay.

It is a result that all but confirms the US's place at the top spot in Group D, and Pochettino will likely make a few changes leading up to their final game against Turkiye, in a fixture that could be vital for their opponent's hopes of a top-two finish.

For the Socceroos, it was a disappointing defeat, but they will have to regroup quickly and prepare for the most important game of their tournament against Paraguay. It is the only match they will be seen as favourites in, and could be decisive on whether or not they qualify, and what nation they face if they do.

Football fever is running rampant throughout America, and fans of the USMNT will be dreaming big after watching their nation put in two incredible performances.