National Writer: Charles Boehm<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n SEATTLE \u2013 Alex Freeman<\/a> had no choice but to bide his time. Yet when his moment finally arrived, he was more than ready.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Orlando City<\/a> academy product had nodded a close-range header past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach to double the United States<\/a>‘ lead over the Socceroos in the dying moments of the first half in Friday\u2019s FIFA World Cup<\/a> Group D clash, only for an assistant referee\u2019s raised flag to nullify the goal for offside.<\/p>\n Replays quickly revealed that Freeman was onside, however, and the video assistant referee team reviewed the play while he, his teammates and 66,925 or so spectators waited, hearts in mouths, for the verdict on a gloriously sunny summer afternoon at Seattle Stadium.<\/p>\n When German referee Felix Zwayer announced over Seattle Stadium\u2019s loudspeakers that the goal was indeed valid, Freeman was both a happy man and a hunted one.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it was confirmed, I looked back and they all started running. I was like, \u2018Oh my god, I need to run away from them. They\u2019re going to tackle me,\u2019\u201d Freeman later said of his euphoric celebrations with teammates \u2013 starters and bench players alike \u2013 in a postgame interview with FOX.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we ended up running to the corner flag, and it was so emotional for me. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Some fans and pundits have complained that the extra minutes required for VAR decisions blunt the spontaneous joy of a goalscorer and the fans in the stands. Yet there was little sign of that here, as a vocally pro-USMNT crowd exploded raucously while the Yanks mobbed the youngest member of their team. The 21-year-old defender had secured a 2-0 lead<\/a> they would safely guard down the stretch to bag another three points and clinch their spot in the knockout rounds as Group D winners, even with star attacker Christian Pulisic sidelined by injury.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t just the goal, either; Freeman produced a man-of-the-match display across the 90-plus minutes. He completed 91 percent of his 65 passes, created one chance, won a game-high 10 of his 14 duels, and totaled 11 defensive contributions, including a game-high four tackles \u2013 a masterful execution of the hybrid \u2018elbow back\u2019 role that has been so influential in this team hitting their stride.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was surreal knowing that I was able to contribute to my team in any way I can,\u201d said Freeman, the son of NFL All-Pro wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman.<\/p>\n \u201cAt first, [the goal] was disallowed, so I was kind of anxious when it went to VAR. Then to be able to celebrate with my teammates, that made it come together as a whole. I\u2019m happy to contribute to not only a clean sheet, but a win.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nComplete performance<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n