Mexico had already secured qualification and the top spot in Group A after a 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara. The third host nation, Canada, also strengthened its qualification prospects with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Qatar in Group B.

Amid a festive atmosphere in Seattle, the United States scored through an own goal by Cameron Burgess in the 11th minute and a strike by Alex Freeman in the 43rd minute.

The win marked the first time the United States had won its opening two matches at a World Cup finals since the inaugural tournament in 1930.