USA clinches Round of 32 berth with 2-0 victory over Australia

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (June 19, 2026) The United States secured its place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over Australia on Thursday at Seattle Stadium. The win improved the Americans to 2-0-0 in Group D and marked the nation's first back-to-back World Cup group-stage victories since 1930.

Despite playing without injured captain Christian Pulisic, the U.S. controlled the match from the opening whistle. The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when a dangerous cross from Folarin Balogun forced Australian defender Cameron Burgess into an own goal, giving the hosts an early 1-0 advantage.

The Americans doubled their lead just before halftime. Defender Alex Freeman rose above the Australian defense and headed home a rebound in the 43rd minute. The goal was initially ruled offside but was awarded after a VAR review, sending the Seattle crowd into celebration.

The U.S. dominated possession throughout the match, completing 88 percent of its passes compared to Australia's 62 percent. Australia managed only limited opportunities, while the Americans dictated the tempo behind a strong midfield performance from Weston McKennie. The clean sheet was the U.S. team's first in nine matches.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino praised his squad's mentality after the match, saying the team must continue to "keep believing" as the tournament progresses. He also highlighted the performance of Ricardo Pepi, who stepped into a larger attacking role with Pulisic unavailable.

"We have quality throughout the squad," Freeman said after the match, noting that players were ready to step up when called upon.

The United States will close Group D play against Turkey, while Australia faces Paraguay in a must-win match to keep its knockout-round hopes alive.

USMNT beats Haiti 2–1 to Finish Group D

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (June 22, 2025) On Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the U.S. Men’s National Team beat Haiti 2–1 in their final Group D match of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

.The U.S. answered quickly. In the 13th minute, Malik Tillman made a strong, low shot into the net to tie the game. That gave the home fans a big cheer and brought the score to 1–1.

The U.S. took the lead in the 75th minute. Defender Patrick Agyemang headed in a pass from a corner kick. That goal pushed the U.S. ahead 2–1.

They held on to win, ending group play with a perfect 3–0 record. The U.S. scored eight goals and gave up just one, earning nine points to top Group D.

Haiti finishes with just one point (a 1–1 draw) and misses the knockout round 

Canada, Costa Rica begin CONCACAF Gold Cup with first-day wins

Mexico will try to win their seventh Gold Cup in 2017
Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 9, 2017) The 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup kicked off on Friday, July 7, 2017 with two games at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Canada downed French Guiana 4-2 and Costa Rica beat Honduras 1-0 in Group A action. Next up in Group A, with July 11 matchups, finds Costa Rica facing Canada and Honduras playing French Guiana.

Group B action saw the United States and Panama battle to a one-all draw, while Martinique downed Nicaragua 2-0 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, July 8, 2017. All four teams will play on July 12 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Group C kicks off on Sunday, July 9 with Curacao and Jamaica playing the first game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. That will be followed by Mexico taking on El Salvador. Each team will play three matches in the group stages, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockoff stage. The best two third-place teams in group play will also advance to the knockout round.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup began in 1991 with the United States winning the first of their five titles (1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013). Mexico took the title in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2011 and 2015. Canada is the only other country to win the title, in 2000.

USA Baseball, Canada battle to two-all tie in Phoenix

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (October 31, 2015) The 2015 USA Baseball Premier12™ Team battled Canada to a 2-2 tie Saturday afternoon at the Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix. A strong effort from the U.S. pitching staff provided fourteen strikeouts to hold Canada scoreless through the final seven innings.

USA Baseball alumni Casey Coleman ran into trouble in the second as Canada took an early 2-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk by Kellin Deglan and an RBI groundout from Skyler Stromsmoe.

Team USA starting second basemen Tyler Pastornicky (Philadelphia Philles) cut the lead in half with an RBI single to bring home Jacob May (Chicago White Sox), who reached base on an error to lead off the inning. May proceeded to steal second base and then advanced to third on a passed ball. Pastornicky finished the day going 2-for-3 with 1 RBI.

“I was impressed with today’s performance and it was nice to get the guys out here and have them perform under these conditions”, said Manager Willie Randolph. “The pitching staff threw really well, we had some good at-bats, but again very pleased with the first day out.” 

Both teams were quiet in the middle part of the game before Team USA added a run in the seventh inning to tie the game at 2-2.

Brett Phillips (Milwaukee Brewers) singled to left field to start the inning and then stole second to set the table for May. The switch hitting center fielder came through for the U.S. as he hit a line drive base hit to center field to tie the game. 

“They attacked early, I thought maybe they would need a day or two to get their legs under them, but they were very aggressive, took bases, attacked early in counts”, noted Randolph when asked about the young outfielders. “I like to see that enthusiasm, that’s what it’s all about for me. We’re gonna get this thing rolling and I’ve been trying to teach these guys to be aggressive right from the get-go.”

The Team USA pitching staff turned in a scoreless final seven innings, highlighted by right handed pitcher JB Wendelken. The right hander, who is in the Chicago White Sox organization, was impressive as he struck out the side in the bottom half of the ninth.

The USA Baseball Premier12™ Team will be back in action against Canada for game two of the three game set, on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET from Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix.

USA Downs Panama 1-0 in Gold Cup 2011 Semi-Final Action; Advance to Final at the Rose Bowl on Saturday

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan embrace after the goal that gave the USA a 1-0 victory over Panama. Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.


By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 22, 2011) After an uninspiring 75 minutes of play at Reliant Stadium, the USA scored in the 76 minute to give the USA a 1-0 win over Panama in the first semi-final game of CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011.

The USA’s Clint Dempsey was advancing on the goal when Landon Donovan fed him a pass from the right side.

He shot from inside the box; drilling the ball past Panama goalkeeper Jamie Penedo for the score

Most of the game was relatively uninspiring, with the USA five shots on goal and Panama attempting eight.

Fouls were abundant during the game with the whistle sounding 21 times against the United States.

Panama was cited 10 times for fouls.

The best action up to the start of the second half was a half naked fan running across the playing field of Reliant Stadium, waving his shirt to the soccer aficionados before security removed him.

He was handed over to Houston police and headed for a suspected night in jail.

It was a good thing the half of him that was naked was his upper torso; as it may have made a rough night in the lockup if he had been naked below the waist.

The offense of both teams looks sluggish and it appears the USA is trying to come back from their earlier loss to Panama 2-1 in Group C action.

Both teams seemed uninspired with lackluster play and locus seeming to be lacking.

It was obvious, at least to any person who is remotely knowledgeable about soccer that one or possibly both teams were wishing the game would be over.

A small scuffle occurred in extra time, when USA's Jermaine Jones took a foot to the face; delivered by Panama's Luis Renteria.

Several USA players jumped to Jones' defense and care, which prompted a small shoving match between various USA players and Renteria.

The officials quickly intervened and no cards were issued.

The USA now advances to the finals to play the winner of the Mexico-Honduras.

The "Half Naked" fan is apprehended by Reliant Stadium security before being handed over to Houston Police. Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.


If the Red, White, and Blue hope to win the championship of Gold Cup 2011, they had better play with more intensity and focus that they did against Panama.

If not, they will earn their second loss in Gold Cup 2011 play in two weeks.

That would not bode well for the players and coaches alike.

RELIANT STADIUM SOLD OUT FOR CONCACAF GOLD CUP SEMIFINALS ON JUNE 22

FANS URGED TO ARRIVE EARLY AND ENJOY FAN FESTIVALS

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 21, 2011) The semifinal doubleheader for the 2011 Gold Cup at Reliant Stadium is a complete sellout, organizers announced today. It marks the seventh sellout of the tournament, with previous full houses at Cowboys Stadium, Soldier Field, Red Bull Arena and LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, New Meadowlands Stadium and RFK Stadium.

Tickets will not be available at the stadium box office on game day. Those without tickets should not approach the stadium area on game day to avoid unnecessary delays, as tickets will not be on sale.

The matches will be televised live in English on FOX Soccer and in Spanish on the Univision family of networks. They will also be broadcast locally on radio in English on Sports 790 AM and in Spanish by Fútbol de Primera on La Ranchera 850 AM.

Fans attending the doubleheader between the United States and Panama, and Mexico vs. Honduras, are urged to arrive at the stadium early to avoid traffic and long lines, and enjoy Futbol Fiesta, a 120,000 sq. ft. interactive fan area featuring live entertainment, sponsor booths and giveaways. Futbol Fiesta will open at 3:00 p.m. CDT in the Blue Lot on the south end of the stadium.

Fans are encouraged to use public transportation such as the METRORail line, which stops along Fannin St. near the Reliant Astrodome. Stadium parking lots will open at 2:00 p.m. CDT. All parking is cash-only, and all non-premium lots are $20 per vehicle.

Tickets for the grand final of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup on June 25 in Pasadena are still available by visiting www.goldcup.org. The Rose Bowl ticket office will be open daily Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local. The 2011 Gold Cup champion and CONCACAF representative to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil will be crowned on Saturday, June 25 at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

USA-Mexico Soccer in Houston Approaches A Sellout

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 30, 2008) More than 50,000 tickets have been sold for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s Feb. 6 clash with rival Mexico at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. With one week remaining before the match and both teams expected to announce their game rosters by Friday, the approximately 18,000 remaining tickets are expected to sell quickly.

The last USA vs. Mexico match at Reliant Stadium drew a passionate sellout crowd of 69,582 fans on May 8, 2003 and remains the largest home crowd for the U.S. Men’s National Team this decade. Next Wednesday’s match kicks off at 8 p.m. CT and will be televised live on ESPN2 and Univision.

In an arrangement unique for this game, U.S. Soccer has divided the seating into U.S.A., Mexico, and mixed/neutral fan sections at each price level. Tickets as low as $35 are on sale now at ussoccer.com, by phone at 713-629-3700, at all Houston area Ticketmaster ticket centers (including Fiesta stores, Macy’s, Wherehouse Music, FYE, and select HEB stores), and at the Reliant Stadium south ticket office (open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

VIP ticket packages that include a premium pregame party starting at 6 p.m. inside the Houston Texans' training bubble (located across from Reliant Stadium) are also on sale through ussoccer.com and Ticketmaster. Packages priced at $250 each include a lower midfield game ticket, an all-you-can-eat buffet with beer and wine, and pregame entertainment.

Four out of the last five USA-Mexico meetings on U.S. soil have been sellouts, including two matches in 2007. Tickets are again in high demand for the 2008 edition of the biggest soccer rivalry on this continent.

“Mexico is always a challenging opponent, and we all know this is a game that motivates everyone involved,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. “The first half of 2008 is very important to our team as we prepare for the beginning of World Cup qualifying in June, and the match against Mexico will be an important part of that process. The atmosphere at Reliant Stadium in 2003 was tremendous, and we look forward to another enthusiastic crowd in Houston in February."

Both the U.S. and Mexico will begin qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June, and the game in Houston will likely be the last meeting of the two CONCACAF powers prior to Final Round Qualifying for the World Cup, should both teams advance out of the preliminary rounds.

The U.S. has dominated the series of late, collecting an 8-0-1 home record against Mexico since 2000. During that span, the USA has netted 15 goals, while Mexico has scored just one. In six friendly matches this decade, Mexico has yet to score a goal on U.S. soil.

The last meeting between the teams saw Benny Feilhaber’s highlight-reel goal in the 73rd minute give the U.S. a second-straight CONCACAF title with a 2-1 win at the Gold Cup Final at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 24, 2007.

USA Soccer to Host Mexico at Reliant Stadium in Houston

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 5, 2008) The 2007 CONCACAF Champion U.S. Men’s National Team will host Mexico on February 6, 2008 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will be shown live on ESPN2 and Univision at 8 p.m. CT, and fans can follow online via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

The last USA vs. Mexico match in Reliant Stadium drew a passionate sellout crowd of 69,582 fans on May 8, 2003 and remains the largest home crowd for the U.S. Men’s National Team this decade.

Four out of the last five USA-Mexico meetings on U.S. soil have been sellouts, including two matches in 2007, and tickets will be in high demand for the 2008 edition of the biggest soccer rivalry on this continent.

Happy 4th of July

By Robert H. Kelly

On the birthday of this fine country, I cannot help but think about the things that make our country great.

So today take time to think about all the men and women who sacrificed for this country and how fortunate you are to live in the greatest country on God's green earth.

Enjoy you day off, eat a few hot dogs, drink a beer (if you are so inclined) and watch some sports on television.

After all it is the 4th of July; the birthday of the United States of America.

Skip Kenney Suspended by Stanford University

By Robert H. Kelly

Stanford Univeristy men's swimming coach Skip Kenney was suspended indefinitely by the school Friday in the wake of his admission that he intentionally erased several performances from the team's media guide. As a result, he will not accompany the team to the NCAA Championships this coming week.

Yesterday, athletic director Bob Bowlsby had said that Kenney would be allowed to go with the team to Minneapolis before any "punitive steps'' would be taken against him. By Friday afternoon, Bowlsby decided to take action immediately.

"We take these allegations very seriously,'' Bowlsby said. "We will take the next several weeks to investigate each one thoroughly before coming to a conclusion on any further actions.''

Why would coach of such notoriety internally delete swimmers performance's from the record books is beyond believe.

Some have said he was being vindictive towards swimmers whom had butted head with him.

Regardless of the reason, this is unthinkable and inexcusably. Did he think because he was the "Great Skip Kenney" that he was beyond reproach and could do whatever he wanted?

Only he knows for sure. If it had been any other coach, he would have been out on the street, looking for a new job, with very few prospects.

What is amazing is that, if the truth was to be known, many coaches out there have the same attitude and think they can do what they want. Many more than we think and are willing to admit.

My prediction is that he will be fired and then hired by another university or high profile club team.

After all, most people will forgive anything if they think the coach can win for them.

Greatest Moment in Sport: USA-USSR Hockey at 1980 Winter Olympic Games

By Robert H. Kelly This is without a doubt, the greatest moment in USA Olympic history, if not the entire world of sport. Of course I am talking about the USA defeating the USSR in hockey at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. Many will disagree, and they are entitled to their opinion, but in this writer's mind, it was the great moment in the history of sport. Of couse, I was not there. I WAS watching it on TV. Not even I thought such a feat could happen. It just goes to show if you want it bad enough, and you believe in miracles..they can happen. What a time. The Olympics as they should ALWAYS be!!! What a shame they have turned into a mere shadow of their former self.