The question going into Friday was whether Christian Pulisic would play. By the end of it, nobody was asking anymore.
The United States men's national team, playing without its injured star attacker, beat Australia 2-0 in Seattle to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds with one group stage game still remaining.
Pulisic watched from the sideline with his calf injury. His teammates made sure it didn't matter.
The first goal came in the 11th minute - an own goal from Australian defender Cameron Burgess, forced by a low cross from Folarin Balogun. Then came the moment that stopped the stadium.
Twenty-one-year-old Alex Freeman headed home a rebound in the 43rd minute for a 2-0 lead. The goal was initially disallowed, sending Freeman into anxious silence while VAR reviewed the play.
When it was confirmed, every teammate on the bench sprinted onto the field.
"Then we ended up running to the corner flag, and it was so emotional for me," Freeman told Fox Sports. "You dream of this moment, and to finally have it happen and have such a support system to help you celebrate, it just means so much."
The goal carried a full-circle family dimension - Freeman's father, former NFL star Antonio Freeman, once had a big game at that same Seattle venue 28 years ago. Now his son had written his own chapter there.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match: "The players were amazing." When asked about winning without Pulisic, he said that while Pulisic is an amazing player, "if you want to win, all the players need to be great."
With six points and a plus-five goal difference, the USMNT has clinched a spot in the Round of 32 heading into their final group match against Türkiye on June 25.
For a team that prays together and has leaned on faith throughout this tournament, Friday in Seattle was a reminder that when one person is down, the rest rise up - and that is something worth celebrating.
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