The U.S. is headed to the World Cup knockout rounds — and Seattle could get an encore.

Why it matters: If the Americans win their Round of 32 match in Santa Clara on July 1, they'll return to Seattle for a Round of 16 game on July 6.

State of play: The U.S. beat Australia 2-0 on Friday and later clinched first place in Group D when Paraguay defeated Turkey 1-0.

• The USA vs. Australia match drew a sellout crowd of 66,925 to Seattle Stadium.
• It was the Americans' second win of the tournament, following a June 12 victory over Paraguay.

Zoom in: Friday's Seattle match — the city's first featuring the U.S. team — delivered some of the tournament's most notable moments so far, from a "Country Roads" singalong to crowd noise strong enough to register on Pacific Northwest seismic monitors.

The big picture: The match marked a milestone decades in the making for Seattle's soccer community as the city hosted World Cup festivities alongside a Mariners game, Juneteenth celebrations, cruise arrivals and thousands of visiting soccer fans.

What they're saying: "The fans were amazing. ... It was an amazing and perfect connection between the energy from the stands and the team," USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

The bottom line: Seattle was always guaranteed six World Cup games — but hosting two U.S. matches would be a win on another level.

What's next: Seattle hosts the Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar match on Wednesday.

The good vibes weren't confined to Seattle Stadium on Friday.

A pre-game march from downtown's Harbor Steps drew soccer fans wearing more American flag gear than Seattle typically sees in a decade.

Crowds citywide gathered for World Cup watch parties — including along the waterfront, where videos on social media showed fans packed together like happy sardines at Pier 62 and the Overlook Walk.

In the Central District, a more relaxed crowd gathered for a Juneteenth celebration and watch party at Midtown Square, while kids practiced soccer at the plaza's edge.

Seattleites heading into summer may want to stock up on tissues. A new allergy report found Western cities are climbing the rankings as pollen seasons grow longer and more intense.

Why it matters: Grass pollen is a major trigger for allergies, causing symptoms like sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes just as many people are spending more time outdoors.

The big picture: Cities in the Pacific Northwest have historically avoided the worst allergy rankings, which were often dominated by the Southeast, according to the 2026 report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

• But several Washington metros — including Seattle and Spokane — are increasingly experiencing pollen spikes and longer allergy seasons.

By the numbers: Seattle ranked No. 45 overall on the foundation's annual list of the most challenging places to live with allergies, up from 68th in last year's report.

• Spokane jumped from No. 82 last year to No. 9 this year.
• Boise was 95th and now it's No. 1.

Between the lines: Climate change is contributing to longer and more intense pollen seasons nationwide, researchers cited in the report say.

• They point to a combination of wetter winters, atmospheric rivers, warmer temperatures and drought conditions that can increase pollen production and extend allergy seasons.

What to know: The foundation recommends checking pollen forecasts before heading outdoors, keeping windows closed during peak pollen periods, showering after spending time outside and starting allergy medications before symptoms become severe.

The bottom line: If your allergies seem worse than usual, you're probably not imagining it.

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