SEATTLE — The U.S. men’s national soccer team rolled into the World Cup knockout rounds with a 2-0 win over Australia on Friday.In front of a raucous, star-spangled crowd here at Lumen Field, even without their best player, Christian Pulisic (calf), the Americans raced past a tough Australia side and sealed a spot in the round of 32 with one group match to spare.Folarin Balogun, the star of a 4-1 win over Paraguay in last week’s opener, created the first goal with a blinding run down the left — the second time the U.S. benefitted from an own goal in this competition. Alex Freeman, the team’s youngest player at age 21, headed in the second and took his breakout stardom to a new level. And on the other end, the defense held firm despite some nervy and sloppy moments in the face of Australia’s desperation, posting the team’s first clean sheet in 10 matches.Nearly every U.S. player who touched the field played with confidence, fluidity and verve, and further fueled dreams that a historic World Cup run could be possible.Our writers on the scene break down the U.S.’s latest successful World Cup result:The reactions from Australia defenders and U.S. forward Ricardo Pepi tell the story after an 11th-minute own goal (Sarah Stier / FIFA / Getty Images)How they did it without PulisicSo much of the buildup to Friday’s match focused on Pulisic. On Thursday, reporters pulled out binoculars to scrutinize his movements at training. On Friday, America salivated for news on the U.S. star and his lower left-leg injury. As word spread that he’d be unavailable, fans in the concourse here at Lumen Field expressed worry. “Gosh,” one said. “That changes a lot.”But 10 minutes into the match, with all of Lumen Field standing and roaring, all concern was forgotten.Pochettino had no shortage of options to replace Pulisic. He could have opted for an outright winger, like Tim Weah or Alejandro Zendejas, or an energetic attacker like Brenden Aaronson. He could’ve leaned on the confidence that Gio Reyna must have had after his goal against Paraguay. He might even have turned to an additional central midfielder.Christian Pulisic had a seat on the bench while his teammates took care of business against Australia (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)Instead, Pochettino surprised everyone and went with a two-striker starting lineup, featuring both Balogun and Ricardo Pepi, for the first time in his tenure as U.S. coach.