The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare following an impressive 2-0 win over Australia on Friday. Fans of the tournament co-host are now hoping the team can match or surpass the achievement of their 2002 squad which reached the quarter-finals in the Republic of Korea and Japan. 

The US join fellow tournament co-hosts Mexico as the first teams to progress, and could be assured top spot in Group D if Turkey fail to beat Paraguay later on Friday.

Excitement had been running high for Maurio Pochettino's side after they beat Paraguay 4-1 in their opening game.

And a glorious day in the Pacific Northwest did not disappoint the red-and-white-clad fans who packed Seattle's Lumen Field and its surrounding streets and bars.

Even before kickoff, chants of "USA, USA" rocked a stadium best known as the raucous home of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, but also a US soccer hotbed that hosts the local Sounders.

Without injured talisman Christian Pulisic, who failed to recover from a calf issue in time, Pochettino switched to a 4-4-2 formation, bringing in second striker Ricardo Pepi.

For the second game running, the US were gifted an early lead, thanks to an own goal in the 11th minute.

Playing slightly wider than usual, star striker Folarin Balogun who bagged a brace against Paraguay raced down the left and cut the ball back from the byline.

Under pressure from a lurking Pepi, Aussie defender Cameron Burgess steered the ball into his own net.

Alex Freeman doubled the US lead in the 44th minute from what was surprisingly his team's first shot on target.

Taking a free kick from the right byline, left-back Antonee Robinson played the ball to Sergino Dest, whose blocked shot looped up into the air.

Freeman was first to the ball, heading it past Patrick Beach. The offside flag went up. But it was overturned by VAR, and the stadium rocked for a second a time.

With home advantage and sparkling form so far, US fans will be dreaming of a good run in the tournament. Fans of the Stars and Stripes will also be inspired by recent remarks made by Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic who said that he believes that they can win the tournament.