SEATTLE STADIUM Mauricio Pochettino led the electric crowd in a booming "USA!" chant. Tim Ream shared heartfelt embraces with members of the coaching staff. Christian Pulisic joined fans in singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" as he took a celebratory lap around the field with his teammates. The U.S. mens national team defeated Australia, 2-0, on Friday in its second World Cup match, clinching a place in the round of 32. In doing so, the Americans made history: Never before had the program secured a knockout-stage berth after just two group-stage matches. The victory also marked the teams first clean sheet in nine games, a streak that dated back to September. After years of disappointment and months of uncertainty about how this group would come together ahead of a World Cup on home soil, the players can sense something extraordinary is taking shape. "Were just having a good time," captain Tim Ream told me and reporters after the win. "Were enjoying every moment together. Every goal, every block, every set play, just everything were doing is together. And thats how we create the momentum." "Were all going out and being ourselves and pulling together," Ream added, "and its something that weve been trying to do for a long time and now were really doing that. And its great to have the fans behind us and see all the reactions that are going on around the country when we play, and we want to keep that going." The U.S. is doing what it set out to do this summer. Sure, it's only played two games the first was a 4-1 dismantling of Paraguay. Tougher tests await, but the performances so far have become appointment viewing. The players, many of whom have been part of this national team for a long time, believe things feel different than in the past. "Ive told these guys that this is the most fun, most special group that Ive been around and Ive been around a long time," Ream said candidly. "Thats not to say other groups werent special, that other groups werent fun, that guys didnt put in everything that they possibly could. But theres something about this one that just feels different. The personalities, the way everybody meshes, the way everybody fits together is just its really enjoyable, as the old man in the group, to be a part of and to see all of that flow." Ream is not someone who normally shows his emotions. But he couldnt hide after the game as cameras caught him on the field in the team circle being visibly affected by the moment. Afterward, he admittedly couldnt explain what came over him. "As everybody knows, I'm pretty good at keeping composure, and I have no idea what that was, to be completely honest," Ream said. "And maybe it was just everything. Now we've obviously clinched a spot in the round of 32, and that wave hits you. Maybe it's family being in the stands being able to watch. Its knowing how much all of us have put into this and getting the rewards for that. How much we put into training and into meals and into the games and into the meetings and into our downtime together. You end up getting flooded with a million different thoughts." "Im sure that wont be the last time during this tournament that it'll happen," he added. "Im not an emotional person, but it got the better of me." What made the Americans performance even more impressive was that it came without their superstar Pulisic, who was ruled out before kickoff. The 27-year-old winger did not take part in full training throughout the week while dealing with a left calf injury. He contributed to the USAs first two goals against Paraguay, but was subbed off at halftime of that match after getting kicked in the back of his leg. Ricardo Pepi replaced him in Pochettinos lineup that was otherwise the same one as the first match. The U.S. came out fiery to start, scoring off an own goal forced by Folarin Balogun and Pepi in the 11th minute. Alex Freeman got one in the 43rd minute right before halftime from a set piece and was promptly swarmed by his teammates once VAR confirmed he was not offside. "The versatility of this team is insane, to be honest," Tyler Adams said bluntly. "There are guys that arent playing right now that can play a major role. And thats a sign of guys playing well when other guys arent getting that opportunity. It just shows the willingness of the group to be able to step in. "Theres a selflessness to the team, you know?" Players may be trying to temper their excitement and the rush of winning on this stage its still early in this World Cup. They conclude group play Thursday, June 25 against Trkiyeback in Los Angeles. The squad is aware of the support spreading throughout the country. Players feed off the energy of the home crowds, plus theyre all on social media and can see the buzz theyre generating. But as Balogun said, "Im just focused on the prize." Adams agrees. "Its really special," Adams said. "I think its hard to take in. And I think its one of those things where you really need to appreciate the moment that youre in at the moment. With that being said, lets not get ahead of ourselves. We have another important game against Trkiye, and in my head its like, 'Do the job, focus on the next one, do the job, focus on the next one' until youre out of games to play." "I think we need to be excited," he added. "But we kind of need to put a 24-hour rule on things. We have another day off enjoy time with families, disconnect a little bit, and then when its time to work, we got to go back to work."