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No Pulisic, no problem: US tops Australia 2-0 in World Cup despite missing its star
By Becky Sullivan, Russell Lewis | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 20, 2026
· 1 min read
Alex Freeman #16 of the United States heads to score the team's second goal during the first half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia in Seattle on Friday.(Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
SEATTLE — For days, questions about the health of star winger Christian Pulisic's...
Key takeaway (Emilee Chinn / Getty Images) SEATTLE — For days, questions about the health of star winger Christian Pulisic's...
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The US men's national soccer team's 2-0 win over Australia in the FIFA World Cup has sent ripples of excitement throughout the Los Angeles area, where soccer fans have been eagerly following the team's progress. As the City of Homes, Los Angeles has its own unique community of residents who are passionate about the sport, and the US team's victory has given them a reason to celebrate. The win also has implications for local fans who may be planning to attend future matches, as the team's advancement to the knockout stage could potentially bring more high-stakes games to the West Coast. With the Los Angeles Unified School District serving the city, local students may also be inspired by the team's success, potentially leading to increased interest in soccer programs at schools throughout the district. As the tournament continues, Angelenos will be watching closely to see how the US team fares.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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What is this story about? Alex Freeman #16 of the United States heads to score the team's second goal during the first half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia in Seattle on Friday.(Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
SEATTLE — For days, questions about the health of star winger Christian Pulisic's...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Becky Sullivan, Russell Lewis | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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