The thousands of fans of the United States team left satisfied with the 2-0 victory they achieved against their counterpart from Australia, at the Lumen Field stadium in Seattle, where they managed to secure their ticket to the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At The Original Farmers Market Fan Festival in the Fairfax area, local fans, thousands of tourists and fans of the Australian national team coexisted amicably in the parking area of ​​the famous market.

“I'm glad we got these two wins to start the group stage,” said Los Angeles' Jason Tovar. “We've already made it to the round of 32, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes next.”

Excited by the United States' 2-0 victory over Australia, thanks to Cameron Burguess' own goal (minute 11), caused by the pressure of Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi, and the shot by Alex Freeman (minute 46), a young man of just 21 years old, Tovar analyzed that the Stars and Stripes team played a very good first half of the match.

"But, I was not happy in the second half of the game; they were more dedicated to holding the result, trying to maintain the 2-0," he added. “I think they should have been a little more aggressive, but I understand that they want to take care of the players and reserve energy for the next game.”

Tovar, an expert in American soccer, predicted that the United States advances as first place in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and could face Belgium in the direct elimination round, "but then it is Spain's turn if it continues, and the United States can do so if we continue playing aggressively."

“It would be great to see the United States against Spain in the quarterfinals, in Inglewood,” he said.

“They don't know about football”

The fans of the team led by Argentine Mauricio Pochettino arrived up to three hours before the game, which was broadcast on a super-giant screen at The Original Farmers Market in the Fairfax area, a favorite destination among locals and tourists since 1934, which offers more than 100 gourmet stores and restaurants.

“We enjoyed the game with a sandwich from All’antico Vinaio,” said Alana Hutchinsen, leader of a group of friends: Sam Berman, Annika Meurer, Maddy Malter, Susan Bryant and Jason Krutesch. “They are delicious.”

The legendary Florentine sandwich shop, open at The Original Farmers Market, is passionately run by the Mazzanti family, known for their delicious and authentic “schiacciata” sandwiches, a traditional Italian Tuscan flatbread, similar to focaccia but generally thinner.

They were waiting for the validation of Alex Freeman's goal, after a deflected shot by Sergiño Dest. An assistant referee immediately signaled offside after Freeman headed the ball into the back of the net.

However, the VAR review validated the goal for the United States, determining that Freeman was in regulation position when Dest kicked the ball.

In the midst of the local hubbub, from the first row of people sitting on the floor on towels and blankets, Leny Bohbot tried, at every moment, to encourage the Americans. Few paid attention to him.

"These people were born in the United States, most of them don't know about soccer or know the players. I was born in France. I have been an American citizen since I was four years old... I loved how Tim Ream (the captain) and Weston McKinney played, although I think that, until now, we have played against rivals that, at best, were mediocre."

Australian Laments

“We knew the Americans were strong, but the own goal affected our players psychologically,” described Anthon Lombardo, an Australian lawyer in Sydney. “That's also part of football.”

He commented that, although there was a change in strategy in the complementary part, Australia did not have the strength to penetrate the US defense

"They scored an early goal at 10 minutes, so that made it more difficult for us. This is like a chess game, where the momentum was on the United States' side, but we have hopes of advancing to the next phase of the World Cup," Melone said.

Anthon, his girlfriend, Sarah Ashley, and his parents, Tony and Rosa Lombardo, made a long trip from Oceania to experience the World Cup events live and in full color.

“We have been saving for years,” said Mr. Lombardo, an Australian mechanic.

His wife, Rosa, arrived at the large parking lot of The Original Farmers Market with an inflatable kangaroo, which she squeezed every time there was danger in the goal of Patrick Beach, a Melbourne City player.

“They should have been smarter and controlled the ball,” said the woman, a physical therapist in her native Sydney. “But, what impressed me the most is that here football is not experienced like in the rest of the world…the atmosphere [the atmosphere] is colder among the people.”

The United States will close the group stage against Türkiye on Thursday, June 25.

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