As we say, it was a tough watch. Australia parked the bus - and then some. Even after conceding inside the opening 15 minutes, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic had his players surrender possession and sit back. It was an approach that paid off against the Turks in the Aussies' opening game, but after going a goal down so early in Seattle, the lack of ambition, or even willingness, to take risks in the middle third was perhaps frustrating, but as the game wore on, understandable.
But that's not to take away from the US's achievement. Yes, the win came from two scrappy goals, with Cameron Burgess' miss-kick handing the US that early lead before Alex Freeman headed home after another messy scramble inside Australia's penalty area. However, the US were well worth the win. On paper, as they were on the pitch, Mauricio Pochettino's team were superior. They bossed possession. Showed good, disciplined patience as Australia invited - nay urged - them to push consistently into the final third. And - as much as the goals were forgettable - carved out a hatful of well-worked, attractive chances.
Sergino Dest, for one, was outstanding on the day. Others have enjoyed the focus across this World Cup's three host nations, but if there is one player primed to use this tournament as a shop window, it's the PSV Eindhoven wing-back. Going into this campaign, Dest was the centre of transfer speculation, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and former club, Barcelona mentioned as potential destinations. And on Friday's form, such options are the very least Dest can expect.
PSV and the Eredivisie have clearly been good for the now 25 year-old. Forced to rebuild his career after finding himself frozen out (he says "betrayed") at Barca by then coach Xavi, Dest looks a very different player these days. And against Australia, he was at his best. Dest snuffed out all threats up and down the US's right flank. But it was in possession and in attack when his impact was felt the most.
Dest was the outstanding player on the pitch - but he was also the most dangerous, even as a wing-back. Great pace. Nimble feet - he nutmegged more than one Aussie over the course of his 80 minutes of action. Darting out wide to cross with his right foot, cutting inside to test Patrick Beach, the Aussie goalkeeper, with his left. He did this on multiple occasions - and always with real menace.
Moving inside, the US could also count on Weston McKennie, the Juventus midfielder, to step up on the day. Like Dest, McKennie has spent the past 18 months rebuilding his form and confidence in Turin after a difficult, almost career-threatening, loan spell in England with Leeds United. But against Australia, McKennie looked a different player - even a different man. He appears confident. A leader. And with the obvious physical transformation from those days at Elland Road, he looked swifter, lighter and full of energy.
Again, like Dest, those in Gold on the day struggled to handle McKennie in possession. Wonderful tricks and flicks. All done at pace. The difference between years of football in Europe's biggest leagues and Australia's A-League-employed midfield was stark.
So it's two wins from two for the host nation. And against Australia, Pochettino was given the luxury of achieving this triumph without his talisman, Christian Pulisic. Going into Friday, Kasey Keller - the US's four-time World Cup veteran - described the nation's captain as "our Messi", when speaking with Football Presse. To overcome an Aussie team buoyed by their shock victory over Turkey without their captain will have pleased the US coach.
So how far this US team? In a normal world. On paper. On reputation. This column would say: let's wait for Turkey. But after a second abysmal defeat - this time against Paraguay - on the same day, you just don't know what you'll get from the now-eliminated Turks.
So instead, on Friday's performance, there's still much for Pochettino to do. As there is for the home support. There was passion in Seattle. Cheer. But the atmosphere lacked the white-hot intensity this team and these players will need if they're to go deep in this tournament. In a Cup competition, anything can happen. And the unfancied, particularly the hosts on any given day, can catch lightening in a bottle. But the US will need their fans. And they must be passionate, even hostile, if they're to become that invaluable 12th man.
For Australia, it's now on a knife edge. Paraguay's victory over Turkey - playing with 10-men for the entire second-half no less - has set up a play-off. Does Popovic keep it cagey or back his youthful attack? To be fair to the Socceroos coach, he almost pulled it off in the second-half.
His two substitutes, Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato, both with their first meaningful contributions, combined to set up the latter - only for the Sassuolo attacker to blaze over Matt Freese's crossbar. It was a moment to change the game, possibly Australia's entire campaign. But where Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe made Australia's two prime chances count against the Turks, Volpato snatched at his one moment - and with it any chance of Australia getting back into the game.
As mentioned, there has been some frustration expressed with Popovic's approach on the day. But was it the coach? Or was it these young players, some with little experience outside the A-League, finding themselves politicised by many connected to the game in Australia? In the lead-up, we saw more than one Australian player having to answer for this community and that political stand. All demands made by their 'own' press. Instead of their full concentration being on winning their next game, several of Australia's players had their focus diluted by manufactured angst back home.
For this column, Australia's comms team (whom have played a blinder this tournament), would do well to stick this playing squad into a mini ritiro. No press. No sticks. Nowt. Just focus on Paraguay. A very good Paraguay. The players are in the US to win football matches, not indulge the luvvies of the Aussie press.
The contrast with the US is obvious. No politics. No woke. It's been God, patriotism and the flag. Team USA is bringing the country together. The soccer fans are loving it. The general sports fans too.
Again, Kasey Keller: "Let's finish the opening round strong. Let's look at that round of 32, do the business there and then we'll have another conversation in the round of 16."
Just imagine the spirit across the country if that happens... Soccer is reaching a zenith in the country - and we're only two games in.