The United States couldn't have asked for a better start to their World Cup co-hosting duties as they eased past Paraguay and Mauricio Pochettino's side now face a favourable match-up against Australia in Seattle.
The Stars and Stripes can cement a smooth passage to the World Cup knockout stages with a win over a Socceroos side who stunned Turkey in their opening game.
And, with a vociferous home backing in Seattle, Pochettino's on-song squad should relish their next challenge in Group D.
United States v Australia Tips Summary
Best Bet - USA to win & over 2.5 goals @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Folarin Balogun to score first @ 15/4
Bet Builder - Folarin Balogun to score, Nestory Irankunda 1+ shots on target, Under 4 cards & Matt Freese 2+ saves @ 10/1
United States v Australia Prediction
Best Bet: USA to win & over 2.5 goals @ 13/8
The USA's opener in California was exactly what Pochettino would have hoped for, a smooth free-scoring win against a limited opponent that should have worked a treat for confidence within the US camp.
They were in front as early as the seventh minute and cruised to a 3-0 interval advantage. Paraguay did pull one back midway through the second half, but substitute Gio Reyna put the icing on the American cake in stoppage time.
Australia began their tournament in stunning style as they upset a fancied Turkish side 2-0 in Vancouver.
Watford winger Nestory Irankunda and opposite wide man Connor Metcalfe of St Pauli scored the goals in either half as the Turks somehow failed to score despite a host of chances.
The Aussies had just 28 per cent possession in that contest, while the USA hogged the ball with 65 per cent against Paraguay.
The co-hosts can continue their winning ways now.
Both teams have scored in eight of the USA's last nine games, while Australia showed their danger on the counter-attack in their opening game, so an entertaining contest with lots of goalmouth action is forecast.
Alternative Bet: Folarin Balogun to score first @ 15/4
Folarin Balogun was the USMNT hero on matchday one, firing a brace as he displayed his goalscoring instincts inside the penalty box.
He was lurking with intent when Damian Bobadilla put through his own net early on and showed real composure with two finishes in the first half, having also had a goal chalked off for offside after another neat finish before that.
The Monaco forward hit 13 goals in Ligue 1 in the 2025-26 season and his double against Paraguay means he's now hit the net seven times in his last 10 games for club and country.
The 24-year-old former Arsenal academy forward has a real menacing look leading the line for the USA and can break the deadlock in Seattle.
United States v Australia Bet Builder Tip
Folarin Balogun to score
Nestory Irankunda 1+ shots on target
Under 4 cards
Matt Freese 2+ saves
Pays 10/1
Balogun's threat to the Australian backline is clear and, if the US forward doesn't break the deadlock, he's still expected to find chances to add to his opening double and he should convert one.
Irankunda showed his skills with a clever first goal against Turkey, outsmarting two defenders before finishing coolly inside the box.
The 20-year-old Hornets forward had four goals and four assists in the Championship in the 2025-26 season and he also drew a save from Ugurcan Cakir with a shot from 20 yards in that opening game.
He'll be key for Australia on the break and can test the US goalkeeper Matt Freese.
The New York City shot-stopper didn't make a single save against Paraguay - the goal was their only shot on target - but he's likely to be worked here.
The Aussies showed their potential on the break last time and they were efficient in their shooting, with four of nine shots on target.
These two sides collected just one booking between them in their opening games and made 25 fouls combined.
A high card count seems unlikely with Australia tallying four in their last three games and the US collecting four in their previous four outings.
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Key Match Stats
The United States have won both previous meetings, including a 2-1 friendly victory in Colorado in October 2025
The USMNT have won their last seven games played in Seattle
Australia have won three of their last eight games (D1, L4) after the matchday one 2-0 success against Turkey
Both teams have scored in eight of the USA's last nine games, while the Socceroos have found the net in four of their last five
Folarin Balogun hit a double in USA's win over Paraguay, making it seven goals in 10 games for club and country
The United States (15th) are eight places above Australia (23rd) in the FIFA world rankings
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
