Alex Freeman, 21-year-old son of NFL standout Antonio Freeman, scores for US in World Cup win

SEATTLE (AP) — Alex Freeman may not have one-upped his famous father yet, but he could be on his way.

The son of Super Bowl champion wide receiver Antonio Freeman scored on a header for the United States in its 2-0 World Cup win over Australia on Friday. It was the third international goal for Freeman, the Americans' youngest starter at age 21.

With the U.S. leading 1-0 in the 43rd minute, Antonee Robinson sent a free kick to Sergiño Dest, who fired a shot from just outside the penalty area. The ball deflected off an Australian defender and high into the air, and Freeman leaped — high-pointing the ball, in NFL terms — and headed it past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Patrick Beach and into the net.

A replay review for offside delayed Freeman's celebration, but the goal was confirmed, and Lumen Field shook as Freeman ran to a corner of the field, surrounded by jubilant teammates.

“He deserves it,” U.S. defender Chris Richards said. “He’s had a great tournament so far and a great progression throughout the last year.”

Freeman called it “a full-circle family moment.”

“For me, it just shows how great the family tree is,” he said. “He can be great but I can be great in my own way as well. I think that just shows how amazing it is to have a dad who’s successful and that can mentor me to be able to be ready for moments like these.”

Antonio Freeman played nine NFL seasons, mostly with the Green Bay Packers as a favorite target of quarterback Brett Favre. They won the Super Bowl together after the 1996 season, with Freeman hauling in an 81-yard touchdown pass from Favre that gave the Packers the lead for good against the New England Patriots.

Antonio Freeman was one of the pioneers of the Packers' signature celebration, the Lambeau Leap. Now his son has a signature jump of his own.

Alex Freeman spent much of the last two years vying for a spot on the U.S. roster. He was a starter for Orlando City of Major League Soccer, but had to battle with more experienced defenders to get selected. A few months before the World Cup, he gambled on himself.

In January, Freeman accepted a move to Villarreal of La Liga, accepting a smaller role than what he enjoyed with Orlando.

Two months earlier, Freeman impressed U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino in his 13th international appearance, scoring two goals against Uruguay in a 5-1 victory on Nov. 18.

“He’s so humble. He wants to learn. He always listens,” Pochettino said. “He’s a player that you really enjoy being with him. Not only coaching, but being with him. He’s a lovely guy, and he’s an amazing player.”

Freeman made an immediate impact in the World Cup, playing all 90 minutes in the U.S. opener against Paraguay. He assisted on Gio Reyna's extra-time goal in the 4-1 victory.

“As long as he continues to develop and he’s able to show he’s doing it on the big stage,” striker Folarin Balogun said, “I think he’s going to have a bright future.”

Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

United States' Alex Freeman celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

United States' Alex Freeman, center, scores his side's second goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach fails to stop a goal by United States' Alex Freeman, center, during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

United States' Alex Freeman (16) scores their second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

United States' Alex Freeman (16), second left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

SEATTLE (AP) — Christian Pulisic’s injury absence didn’t hurt the Americans one bit.

The U.S. national soccer team found a way to advance to the knockout round without the injured forward on the field, beating Australia 2-0 Friday for its second straight victory at the largest World Cup in history.

“C.P. is a fantastic player — the quality and the leadership that he gives us,” said Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12. “We didn’t have him today, but I think you saw we’re still capable to go out there and get a result and put up a performance.”

Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed Friday’s match because of a calf injury.

To play without a superstar like Pulisic could have derailed previous American teams in World Cup play. But much has changed since the last time they served as World Cup hosts in 1994, when they advanced by being one of the best third-place teams. They then lost to eventual champion Brazil in their next match, which was in the round of 16.

At this year's 48-team tournament, the U.S. has won consecutive games for the first time at a World Cup since 1930. The Americans have scored six goals, one off their record for most in a single World Cup, and received contributions throughout their roster.

Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and son of Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 43rd minute off a set piece. Freeman headed in a deflected shot by Sergiño Dest for his first career World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review.

“(He) is doing a fantastic job," coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Freeman. “The evolution is massive. He’s so humble. He wants to learn. He always listens. He’s a player that you really enjoy being with him. Not only coaching, but being with him.”

The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the left sideline by Balogun.

He directed a centering pass towards striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in place of Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.

“I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” Balogun said. “It might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it's like a goal as well. It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum.”

The Americans did not score again after halftime, but the manner with which they so thoroughly dominated Australia in the opening 45 minutes left a lasting impression on Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.

“It did not surprise us because their quality is clear," Popovic said. “Their power is clear. Their athleticism is clear. They are not surprising in what they did.”

Expectations will only increase for the U.S. as they rack up more victories and momentum builds around the team. The way the Americans have started the tournament in dominant fashion has not changed Pochettino's perception of the team and what it is capable of, though.

“I think it’s much better when you show good performances and win the games," Pochettino said. "I think that makes it easier, everything. But, at the same time, it’s (important) to keep believing.”

Still, the U.S. learned it can get out of the group stage without Pulisic. And, they have the roster to make a deep run in the tournament.

“We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can contribute in the game," Freeman said. “For us it was, we have Ricardo Pepi, who came in and had an amazing game. I think that just shows how (good) our roster is.”

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

United States' Ricardo Pepi (9) and Australia's Harry Souttar (19) fight for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

United States goalkeeper Matt Freese (24) reacts during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) and Antonee Robinson (5) celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

United States fans hold signs on the stand during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) appeals for offside after United States' Alex Freeman (16) scored a goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)