USMNT player ratings: Freeman a surprise hero with...

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Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAn own goal and an Alex Freeman's late header in the first-half sent the United States men's national team to a 2-0 win Friday against Australia in Seattle.Being without star left winger Christian Pulisic, who missed the game through injury, left the U.

S. without its most dangerous attacking threat. His absence, while felt at various moments, still didn't preclude the Americans from remaining atop the Group D standings as they've now advanced to the next round.

With their game against Turkiye being the only one left in group play, here's a look at how the U.S. performed in its most recent match.

Manager rating (out of 10)Mauricio Pochettino, 7 -- His fingerprints were all over a match that saw the Americans already had to adjust to life without Pulisic. Before making another adjustment to facilitate more attacks down the left. It led to the U.

S. having 70% possession in the first half before switching from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 in the second half in an approach that saw Matt Freese have a clean sheet.USMNT player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, 5 = average)GK Matt Freese, 6 -- He might be tempted to have a discussion with the backline about errors leading to shots in the first two minutes because it's now been two games in a row.

Beyond that? Freese went through most of the match without really being heavily tested because of how much the U.S.

controlled possession.RB Alex Freeman, 7 -- It looked like his errant pass was going to lead to a potential goal for the Socceroos. From there?

The Villarreal right back kept having the sort of individual moments like the sliding clearance in the box. Or the positioning he had on the deflected Sergino Dest shot that led to his header giving the U.S.

a 2-0 lead. Or how his speed and power presented too many issues for Australia.CB Chris Richards, 6 -- There were a few moments when Australia having possession led to him stepping into action.

Richards' speed and his awareness was key when Tim Ream was caught out of position on a through ball to Nestory Irankunda that led to an eventual Cristian Volpato shot going over the goal.CB Tim Ream, 5 -- Ream's afternoon was direct and quiet until Irankunda raced past him on a through ball. The moment itself didn't lead to a goal.

But it was the first that saw Australia make a push over the final 20 minutes with Ream playing a role in warding off potential threats.LB Antonee Robinson, 4 -- Robinson was still involved. It's just that Pulisic's