Photograph: Sarah Stier/FIFA/Getty Images
Game reports are up, and I am out. Thanks as always for following along:
Popovic comments
Passed along from the Australian TV broadcast by the Guardian Australia crew:
“I don’t know if it’s the occasion, but we looked sluggish, heavy legged, dull, quicker, dull, more powerful. They won every duel, they won every second ball and when you do that, it makes it very difficult to get any, gain any momentum. And then we conceded two soft goals.”
“I thought the reaction second half was outstanding. When you think, you know, this noise here – host nation -- I think the players show how good they are in the second half, but obviously at this level, you can’t give away that much in the first.”
“We did very well in the second half. We created opportunities. We won all the duels in the second half. So when you do that, you have a chance. So that’s something to build on for the next match. Did you get clarity on that second goal.”
Interview asks about second goal, saying it looked like a player was impeding Patrick Beach, and there were other calls as well that went against Australia:
Yeah, I’m not sure on that one. I think today was I wouldn’t say the best day for the referee.
Back to me – the referee message board I frequent says they’ve seen similar calls before but that it’s not the common call under current Laws/interpretations.
Last mailbag check:
“It makes a lot more sense for fans in a Seattle to sing John Denver’s song than it does for United fans at Old Trafford. Still, American chants are woeful.” – Christopher Barnes
“I might be on a country-ish road in West Sacramento this weekend. Does that count?” – Peter Oh
Rural California has some interesting backroads.
More words from the Paraskevases:
“Good performance and subs in the second half. Australia recovered well and have something to take into the Paraguay game. A lesser team would have collapsed and lost by more than 2. We showed we can play football and press high. Volpato, Irakunda need to start in the next game if fit.” – James
“Hardly a terminal result for our chances: I’m still confident this disappointing result / performance will be a footnote in history after we lift the World Cup next month (with Mike Grella presenting us the trophy, dressed as a boxing kangaroo). Still some positives to take away from the game.” – Chris
Alex Freeman postgame, about his goal: “I was kind of anxious when they went to VAR. … When it was confirmed, (teammates) all started running, and I thought I’ve gotta run – they’re going to tackle me.”
Postgame mailbag II
Chris Finnegan informs me that the BBC were harshly getting on the ref’s case for getting cramp, noting that they run eight miles a game and don’t stop. My record is three, but I’m far from this level. Anyway – not everyone can be Tori Penso.
Think that’s harsh? How’s this:
“This referee is nowhere near World Cup level: he’d struggle to keep an U6s small-sided game under control. Cramping?! He hasn’t been able to keep up with play!” – Chris Paraskevas
I think he got the crucial decisions right.
Pocchettino is up for a postmatch interview, but he pauses to recognize fans who are chanting his name.
“Argentina have amazing fans, but I think we are matching Argentina.”
He says they hope to get Pulisic back as soon as possible but that it’ll take the whole team to keep going.
Post-match mailbag
A couple of people have responded to Daniel Stauss regarding his optimistic sister …
“Tell Daniel Stauss his sister sounds like a Mets fan.” – Phil Collis
“Daniel, let your sister dream. I am a Yank but I will tell you my optimistic but responsible prediction. USA wins their first knockout round and they lose their second.” – Mary Waltz
That’s my prediction as well.
Others:
“Outfit watch: Aussie Coach = Dollar Store Simeone.” – Russell Brady
“Some things being discussed by the RTÉ commentator team of Des Curran and Kenny Cunningham so far this evening include: Basketball players looking the same size sitting down, Tony Popovics fashion sense, Pocchetinos hair, Shakira and her tax bill, Challenging each other to name the American celebrity as they appear on screen, Metallica playing Dublin tonight. All of which is infinitely more entertaining than the game.” – Matthew Lysaght
I would love to be in Ballyferriter this evening.
“Still so disappointing to see the US fans not really taking this World Cup to heart. At no point did I see any of the fans outside the ground throw beer (at nearly £10 a pint from Box Park) on each other when they scored. Come on, get involved properly. Hopefully by the end of the tournament they will know what to do with flares….” – Nick Trim
“I have lots of Australian friends, and find the US commentary obnoxious as hell, but this Australian team should have maybe tried to play football, and laid off the aggression…. (But I agree with you that the US defence is begging to be tested…even against this limited team, they’ve given away too many good chances and looked rather disorganised.)” – Henry
“If they ever make a film out of the US team, Russell Crowe will play Pochettino” – Krishna Moorthy
A Seattle crowd is singing Take Me Home, Country Roads. I’d wager less than 2% of this crowd have been to West Virginia. Christian Pulisic is singing along – he at least grew up relatively close to West Virginia and may well have been there.
Australian coach Tony Popovic gives the referee an earful. His anger level gradually rose as the game went on and turned into an Australian rules football match at times.
Full time: USA 2-0 Australia (USA advance to knockout round)
For the first time since 1930, the US men have won two consecutive World Cup games. More importantly, they’re through to the next round.
It would take a strange combination of results to keep the USA from winning the group, so they have the luxury of resting players in the game against Turkiye.
Australia never got a consistent attack going, even though they had a few good scrambling chances.
Updated
90 min +8 Australia slam the ball forward but lose possession. That should just about do it.
90 min +7 Berhalter intercepts. USA off to the races and play for Wright, but he’s a couple of yards offside.
90 min +6 A wayward pass forward goes out for a US goal kick and gives the USA time to bring in Haji Wright and Gio Reyna for Balogun and McKennie, who get rousing ovations as they leave.
90 min +5 Oh yeah – we had a free kick for Australia. It’s cleared.
The fourth official races onto the field with some sort of energy booster that the referee eagerly accepts. He will continue. This will surely add another two minutes of stoppage time.
90 min +3 This could be costly down the road – Richards is forced to foul Irankunda and gets a yellow.
And now … the referee is down with a cramp. O’Neill sportingly helps him stretch it out.
Updated
90 min +2 Australia building from the back. Broken up, and the USA play ahead to Balogun. He dumps it over to Tillman, who tries to return the favor with Balogun wide open, but the pass misses.
90 min +1 The USA play the corner kick short and then try to shield it in the corner, but an Australian player gets around the defender and knocks the ball off his shin to get a throw-in.
Six minutes of stoppage.
90 min Irankunda slams into Scally with the ball in the air. Free kick for the USA. Trusty wins a corner.
88 min Tillman draws a foul, but attention goes immediately to Balogun, who has finally lost his patience with Souttar. Balogun initiated contact, and then Souttar, inspired by the UFC event at the White House, gets him in a rear naked choke.
Multiple yellows are shown – Souttar, Balogun and Italiano.
87 min Sloppy giveaway on the US backline, and Australian can cross. Shot goes well over the bar.
86 min Free kick near midfield for Australia, and they’ll send everyone up except Beach.
Richards clears, but Australia maintain possession.
85 min CHANCES FOR AUSTRALIA! The corner goes over the box. One player – I think it was Souttar – whiffs on an 8-yard shot. Another shot is blocked by Adams. But there’s a foul, anyway – Souttar on Richards.
84 min Sweet nutmeg keys a dangerous Australian attack. The USA can’t clear. There’s a shout for a penalty – surely VAR is checking. Nothing in it, but Australia win a corner.
82 min An Australian cross sails over and out for a goal kick.
80 min Freeman wins an aerial duel -- improbably, given the height difference – and he’s down.
USA had subs ready but was waiting to see if Freeman was OK. Some confusion now as the referee seems to be threatening the USA for failing to get their subbed players out, but they end up not penalized.
Trusty and Scally are in for Dest and Robinson. That’s officially calling off the attack.
Updated
79 min Circati comes in, preparing to take a long throw-in. He takes it short. Australia win a corner – and this is where I think they can be dangerous.
78 min The last Australian sub will be Irvine for Okon-Engstler.
And then Volpato tries to draw a second yellow on Robinson, but it’s a rather silly effort.
76 min Volpato turns on Robinson and gets in a cross that should’ve led to a shot but does not.
75 min Comical scene as Balogun is held tightly near midfield. Foul is called, but Balogun is frustrated now.
Updated
73 min It’s messy now, with bodies flying. The referee could’ve blown the whistle a few times in a short time, but the tipping point is Irankunda knocking over Ream.
Finally, a US sub – and it’s Pepi going off in favor of Sebastian Berhalter. Midfielder in for forward. Practical.
72 min We’re back. I should mention that Chris Richards is once again playing an outstanding game.
How has Pochettino not made a sub? They’re still pushing Robinson up the field, leaving Ream as the left back against some dynamic Australian attackers who came on at the break. That’s not going to work forever.
The field also is hydrating. The sprinklers are on. Yay, summer.
68 min USA complete about 40 passes, but Ream’s effort to find Robinson racing down the flank goes out of play.
Hydrate!
67 min USA pass around a bit and drop it back to Freese, who blasts it upfield. USA win possession.
66 min Long play forward to Irankunda, and Freese very awkwardly plays it outside of his own area. Richards makes contact with Irankunda, VAR checks, but nothing is called.
65 min Pochettino needs to get a sub ready. Soon. The defense nearly give up another breakaway.
Australia maintain possession, pounced on an errant clearance, and Freese has to save a shot from Metcalfe.
64 min Tillman sends a long throw-in to Balogun, who nearly manages to make a neat turn and play for Pepi, but the Australian defense recover well.
62 min Another great ball from McKennie to Balogun, but again, the striker misplays it.
Australia counter, and Ream switched off long enough for Irankunda to race behind him. He centers, and Volpato shoots way high. An Australian player tumbled in the area, and VAR checks it, but there’s nothing to it.
61 min Leckie won’t continue – Volpato is in. That’s four of five subs for Australia.
58 min A half-chance for Australia and a half-decent cross, initially awarded as a corner kick. VAR can now check such things, and it does. Goal kick.
Leckie is down, and after a few moments, physios come in. The referee is trying to get everyone to please leave the field, and they do not.
56 min Robinson is late on a tackle and trips Italiano. The referee plays advantage, then goes back and shows yellow to Robinson. Not a controversial call.
55 min More former Seattle Seahawks players shown on the feed. That explains who was able to afford tickets.
54 min Balogun takes another knock – you wonder if they might sub him out at some point.
Play restarts while the broadcast feed remains fixated on former Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch in the luxury boxes (he can afford it).
Updated
53 min McKennie plays in to Balogun, who wins a corner that they take quickly. Patient buildup, and Tillman’s cross is deflected for another corner.
51 min Australia get a sniff of the the ball for the first time in a while BUT they leave Balogun open in his own half, so the through ball to him is not offside! He isn’t able to get a clean shot, though – despite Balogun having a firm grasp on Bos’ shirt. Balogun won’t want to see that on the game film.
From Wilmington, NC, where I lived in the early 1990s:
“I’m sneaking peeks at the match in between trying to actually do my job (US east coast) but it appears to me that the referee is letting a lot of stuff go uncalled on both sides. Which could lead to a rather scrappy second half if he doesn’t take a bit more control.” – Jeff Necessary
“At this point, I’m just hoping that Balogun stays off the scoresheet so I can enjoy a full day of Jonathan David being above him in the scoring charts. That’s all I ask.” – Matthias Hoenisch
49 min Another late tackle and a US free kick. Just a split-second late on so many of these.
48 min Foul on Australia just past midfield. USA bump the ball around.
“My sister, who is the biggest bandwagon jumper I know, is texting me non-stop with relentlessly pro-USA spam. I need some help from the English here: how do I tell her that the USMNT will both implode and flame-out at some point in the next two weeks, and that all her fervor is vanity and striving after wind?” – Daniel Stauss
46 min The US defense look extremely susceptible to making a disastrous play under pressure. Freese barely gets the ball away in time.
Three halftime subs for Australia
Burgess, Touré and Velupillay are out.
Enter Geria along with the two goal-scorers from the Turkiye game – Irankunda and Metcalfe.
Halftime mailbag III
I’m going to have to flip through and just pick one or two more … thanks for the deluge of entertaining mail!
“Antonee “Jedi” Robinson is amazing, with his work rate and skill up and down the left side. He’s like a cheat code. I’m surprised he’s still plying his trade at the likes of Fulham and not Manchester City or Liverpool.” – Desi Duncker, who would also rather see Reyna than Pepi
From Australia, James points a finger at the bench:
“Popovic has got the lineup and tactics completely wrong. He managed to select the most unimaginative lineup by taking out the only 2 players with a goal - which sends the wrong message of negativity to the players. We don’t look like a threat on the counter at all, we’re not playing forwards or getting support up front. Compete opposite to the first game and this is all on Popovic. He has shown his complete lack of European experience.”
“On what are you basing your statements thst Australia will score? They haven’t even had a sniff at goal, 70 to 30 percent US possesion and outmuscled at every ball.” – Mark Horan
Maybe it’s just memories of 1998 Iran. USA dominated and gave up two counterattack goals.
Halftime mailbag II
Please tell me Peter Oh does standup comedy …
“24C is pleasant enough but not exactly Australian Beach weather. A relative deep Freese, actually.” – Peter Oh
“Very hard to get through that extremely packed Australian defense, USA needs to stay patient and not allow a quick counter.” – Rick McGahey (this came in before the second goal)
“It’s dismaying to see so many boot soles on so many calves. Seattle Stadium is seeing more stapling than a county clerks office!” – Benjamin Poremski
I once reffed a game in which a player from a high-level travel team had moved into rec soccer. Early in the game, she was tripped in the box because a defender was clearly not used to marking someone so quick. That’s what I’m seeing in this game. These late Australian tackles aren’t malicious – the ball is just gone before they can get there.
“Australia really aren’t offering much of anything so far. Of course rather than 47 minutes played, it’s about 10 minutes fewer, but when’s the last time they had it in the US half?” – Alexander Whitney (I’m not sure what time this came in)
“I missed the game, so can anyone shed some light on how Australia managed to beat Turkey?” – Shaun Wilkinson
Hot take: Turkiye aren’t good.
“Since Australia is going to lose this game, I would recommend they not come out for the second half but negotiate a settlement with the USA instead. That way, they will win.” – Colin Livingstone
Halftime mailbag I
“Nice call back by Peter Oh to the Le Coq Sportif Roma 8 boots…” – Dean Moull
Peter has another good one:
“If I were an Australia fan, I would react to the ‘U-S-A!!!’ chant ‘A-U-S!!!’” – Peter Oh
“Why is Poch persisting with his “Executive in The Bush” look? It’s bordering on Partridge in Paris.” – Russell Brady
Not everyone can dress as well as Jesse Marsch.
Alternate take:
“I am probably late to the party, but Mauricio Pochettino in the hair and cool dad clothes looks like Javier Bardem. A compliment to them both.” – Martin Bolme
Australian take:
“Popovic and his staff will be livid at conceding from a set-piece, particularly as it was a simple routine to the edge of the area, with the entire defense ball watching until it was too late. And that sums up our first half: missing out on the finer details, second to the loose ball too often, on top of offering zero attacking threat. Mike Grella is laughing through his Happy Meal as he farts gleefully in his bed...” – Chris Paraskevas
“This is probably the best kit the US men’s team has worn at a World Cup in living memory. Only 1950 compares, really. It’s feels like a riff on the shirt they had in 2012, which is the best they’ve ever worn, in my opinion. If they went back to that kit design for good, it would also sort out their nickname: The Waldos.” – Kári Tulinius
I still have a 1994 denim shirt.
“Which is preferred, the USA’s Own Goal, or Harry Kane’s favorite strike partner, Penalty Spot?” – Daniel Stauss
“I enjoyed the brief debate about nicknames. Given the frequency with which American defenders pull Australians shirts upwards, perhaps Shirtlifters is the perfect name for the USA team?” – Kimberly Thonger
I think it’s usually outwards rather than upwards, but yeah, a few grabs have gone uncalled.
The stats at ESPN suggest I might be giving Australia too much credit – they’ve completed just 62% of their attempted passes. The USA have completed 88%. Completions: 259 to 78. Yikes.
Still – Australia have an advantage in the air, so if they can get some set pieces in the second half, anything’s possible.
Halftime: USA 2-0 Australia
Another excellent half for the US attack. But Australia have shown themselves more than capable of pressing the US defense into a few mistakes. Can they capitalize on two of them?
45 min +7 Dest is having a game. He takes a pass from Freeman and blasts a shot that forces a save from Beach.
45 min +6 Balogun accidentally backs his own head into Souttar’s chin, and the US forward falls down. He gets up, though, and seems OK. Perfectly clean play from Souttar – Balogun just backed into him.
45 min +5 Minimal Australian pressure, but it’s almost enough to win a free kick.
I’ll say again – this will not be a clean sheet for the USA.
45 min +4 The fancy tech graphic shows Freeman wasn’t even close to being in an offside position. VAR to the rescue.
Richards fouls on a USA corner.
Australia in possession. Bos probably should’ve won a foul there, but he’s called for a handball.
45 min +2 Seven minutes of stoppage, and that is a dagger for Australia, who had defended with firm resolve but have now given up two goals, with deflections playing a role in each one.
Updated
Goal! USA 2-0 Australia (Freeman 43)
VAR check, and the crowd drowns out the ref. He pauses. The crowd goes quiet to hear.
“After review, the player was NOT in an offside position …”
US subs race to run in celebration alongside Freeman.
Updated
No goal?
This is going to be close. Dest blasted a shot from 22 yards out. Freeman ran on to the deflection and headed it in. There were two US players in an offside position … but Freeman wasn’t one of them!
Updated
43 min McKennie draws a gaggle of yellow-shirted defenders. Some wrestling ensures later, and … never mind …
42 min Fun stat – we’ve had exactly one shot on goal, and it was about a minute into the game. By Australia. The US goal technically wasn’t a shot on goal because they didn’t shoot.
40 min Okon-Engstler is getting treatment for something on the back of his head. Freeman is being checked out just a couple of yards from the sideline – not sure why they haven’t moved off the field yet. They both stay in the game.
37 min Awkward time at the back for Australia after Souttar convincingly wins an aerial duel with the much shorter Pepi. They clear it out for a throw-in, but the USA immediately turn it back over.
We have a collision between Alex Freeman and Okon-Engstler, and both players are down. Physios are on the field.
36 min USA patiently working against the tightly packed Australian defense. Until they get impatient and turn it over.
35 min Dest draws some ooooohs with a backheel to McKennie.
34 min Camera finds Kasey Keller, Alex Morgan and Jill Ellis in nice seats at the game. Morgan is in a couple of ads in frequent rotation in the US, including one making fun of the “international media” for playing up her “tea” celebration against England in the World Cup.
Updated
33 min US foul amid the tangle of bodies in the mixer.
32 min Circati is late to a tackle on Tillman and gets a boot on the US midfielder’s calf. Yellow card and a free kick 30 yards out.
31 min USA with a corner, attacking the goal in front of a sea of yellow-clad Australian fans. Tillman takes it, Richards goes up but can’t get it. Alex Freeman is way up the field and manages to earn a deep throw-in.
30 min I’ve been remiss in not mentioning the weather. It’s gorgeous. Currently 24 degrees Celsius.
Updated
29 min Robinson is a menace on the left flank. He beats the defense again and sends in a cross, but it goes out of play.
Question: Can Australia take advantage when the USA’s left back is 100 yards from his own end line?
I think Australia will score in this game. Touré looks dangerous.
Updated
And one more:
“Match going pretty much as anticipated, but Vellupilay is not providing an outlet and needs to work so much harder. Ditto the three central midfielders, who have to wrestle a bit of momentum back here and put their foot on the ball. Critical that we get to half time without conceding again...” – Chris Paraskevas
Quick inbox check:
“Who needs Christian Pulisic when the USA have the prolific Own Goal?” – Justin Kavanagh
24 min Australia loft the corner kick for the towering Souttar, who flicks it on. The US defense tap it over the line for another corner, and this time, there’s a foul as a player bundles into Freese, who rolls into his own goal.
With that, we’ll hydrate.
Updated
22 min Australia with their longest spell of possession now, as the USA drop back a bit. Leckie ends up with the ball on the right, and his excellent cross forces Freeman to slide for a vital intervention. Corner kick for Australia.
Updated
21 min Long ball to Balogun, but he can’t control it immediately and the young Australian goalkeeper Beach alertly comes out to claim the ball.
20 min Good pressure from the USA deep, but the pass eludes Adams.
And now Australia attack with a long ball down the flank to Touré. Matt Freese races out of his goal to clear, and it’s a nervy moment as his clearance stays in play, albeit in the other half of the field.
19 min Free kick for Australia just shy of midfield, but they don’t show any significant interest in moving forward. Seems they’re going to pick their spots very carefully – which, given the troubles they’ve faced when the USA get the ball in space, may be the best approach.
17 min Free kick played into the ubiquitous McKennie, who tries an ambitious flick with his back to goal. Looked cool but maybe not the best choice.
16 min That’s a second hard foul on Adams, this time by Velupillay. Pochettino is furious, and it’s hard to blame him.
McKennie takes the ball up the wing and gets a solid hand to the face from Bos, who gets the yellow card that probably should’ve gone to Velupillay.
Updated
13 min Corner kick for the USA. We have a wrestling match between Richards and Okon-Engstler, and the referee gives them a few words before resuming.
McKennie rises above the crowd and heads the ball down with power, but Bos blocks it, and the rebound goes off McKennie’s arm for an Australian free-kick.
Updated
12 min Nearly an immediate answer from Australia. Leckie makes a clever off-the-ball run across the top of the box, the ball is dinked to him, and he rips a shot with the outside of his boot that doesn’t miss by much.
Goal! USA 1-0 Australia (Burgess OG, 11 min)
Balogun is having a massive World Cup. He beats his man on the flank, drives into the box and taps it over to Pepi. The unfortunate Burgess desperately intercepts, but he’s three yards from his own goal, and it is in fact an own goal.
Updated
10 min USA in possession, but I don’t think Australia really mind. As I say that, they ramp up the press.
Updated
9 min Good chance for the USA as Dest finds a diagonal seam in the box. His shot is blocked.
8 min Mathew Leckie comes in very late in a tackle and lands a hard kick to Tyler Adams’ leg. Very difficult to understand why that’s not a yellow card.
Updated
7 min Australia press and gain possession. They lose it, then regain it, then play ahead to Touré, who is sandwiched by US defenders.
The red-and-white team is looking a little shaky at the moment.
Updated
6 min Good cross from McKennie on the right, but Balogun is whistled for a foul.
4 min Our first foul is against Weston McKennie.
3 min Robinson tries to make something happen deep on the left flank against Italiano, but his cross bangs off Italiano and back off his own leg for a goal kick.
Updated
2 min US attackers are pressing all the way up the field. It works, and Australia back off while the USA knock the ball around.
1 min Shocking giveaway on the US backline, with Freeman’s pass eluding Richards. Touré shoots from a wide angle, and Freese makes an easy save.
Peep!
We’re off.
Officials
Referee is Felix Zwayer, leading an all-German on-field crew.
Fellow German Bastian Dankert is at the VAR switch.
Frantic pre-kickoff mailbag check
“My prediction is that USA score within the first 20 minutes and conduct a “lay up” goal celebration. This will infuriate the Australians and turn the game into a brawl like something from the 1962 World Cup. Not sure what the Australian retort will be if they score. I still remember the Apolo Ohno and Roy Jones Jr celebrations against Korea in 2002. That kind of thing can really fire up a team.” – John McBride
If you don’t know the South Korean Ohno celebration, check it out. Strange story.
“I think the USA media made some conclusions based on the last game that, uh, might be a little (a lot) wrong. I watched Souttar quite a bit when he was a Stoke City player and he’s not someone to take lightly.” – Joshua Reynolds
“True Blue living in Sheffield and also an Arsenal fan. Go figure. Australia are going to WIN. Then I’m off to Butlins to celebrate. Socceroos is a truly AWFUL nickname but we’re know stuck with it, only marginally better than the Matildas urghh. Cmon Australia. Win it for my friend Simon, currently residing in the stars.” – Simone Holmes
“I think we want a more topical name - “The Cagefighters”, maybe, or “The Ballroom Boys”?” – Charles Antaki
“How about the DoodleDoos? (Following on from that universally beloved “Yankee Doodle Dandy” ditty).” – Julian Scott Yeomans
Summary
Several solid pockets of yellow in the stands. Australian fans are representing.
Updated
Paris Hilton is, for some reason, leading the USA chants pregame.
The atmosphere here at Lumen Field (excuse me, Seattle Stadium, how dare I) is positively electric a full 30 minutes before kickoff. This was predictable — the stadium has a well-earned reputation for being among the loudest in the United States — but it is still a sight to behold. The place is nearly full, and there are no shortage of Aussie fans as well, very prominently sat behind the goal at the south end of the stadium. Truly incredible atmosphere.
Pre-anthem mailbag
Sorry I can’t get to everything, but please keep writing!
Any suggestions for a US nickname akin to “Socceroos”?
“Although I think the nickname ‘The Yanks’ is pretty great, it’s no ‘Socceroos’. And the best I can come up with is ‘Soccer Moms’ and I’m ashamed I’m even writing that down.” – Joshua Reynolds
“Soccerillos, of course, because of the armadillos.” – Kirk Allbright
“I’m sorry to trash my country, but looking at the three host mascots, USA clearly has the worst. 1. Tiger 2. Moose 3. Eagle. As far as a good nickname, the Minutemen?” – Zach Neeley
That might add a bit of spice the next time the USA face England.
An Australian perspective (and please, if you’re awake in Australia right now, send me a note!):
“Australia needs a draw from this game. We cannot lose and leave it until the last minute against Paraguay to get a point. I’m excited for this game - I think Australia can repeat their performance against Turkey barring Popovic not going back into defensive and negativity mode. Keep throwing players up on the counter and get the ball forward when we have to. No Pulisic, Irakunda and Metcalfe out could be a sign for 0-0.” – James Pareskevas
On nomenclature:
“Football or soccer? It is all about who you are communicating with. When I am on a Premier League MBM I use football. Mainly because the blowback is tedious. When I post on The Athletic I say soccer, once again because it is simpler. For those UK football fans for who the term soccer is an irritant you should not have invented it.” – Mary Waltz
I’m often astounded that so many of the people who take the USA (or Australia, or Ireland, etc.) to task for the word “soccer” don’t realize that the etymology runs through England.
And we have to get a word from Peter Oh: “Are any of the US players wearing kangaroo leather boots?”
Australian lineup: Head-scratcher or tactical brilliance?
Australian Associated Press reports …
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has dropped goalscorers Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe to the bench for Australia’s blockbuster clash with the United States.
Veteran Mathew Leckie, playing for the first time at his fourth World Cup, and Nishan Velupillay are the two inclusions in attack for the game that could determine who finishes top of group D.
Irankunda, who was electric in the 2-0 win over Turkey, including scoring a brilliant opener, and Metcalfe, who delivered a wonderful second-half goal, loom as impact substitutes.
“Impact substitutes” could be an understatement if Australia’s five-man backline can contain the US attack early.
Which is one reason why the US punditocracy may be just a tad overconfident, perhaps?
The rivalry?
Is there bad blood between the USA and Australia? Alexander Abnos notes the feisty undertones in a relatively recent friendly:
A couple of players-turned-commentators have fanned the flames a bit, as Jack Snape relates:
The slandering began late last year when the USA were drawn against Australia. Former professional player and now TV pundit Mike Grella said the Socceroos represented a “lay-up” for the hosts.
Grella addressed the backlash to his comments on Wednesday: “I’ve got tell you something, I don’t think they’ve ever been more united as a football side. If they do something in this tournament – which they won’t – if they do something in this tournament, they should make a statue of me there in Australia, because I’ve unified an entire country.”
The barbs didn’t stop with him. Former USA player Landon Donovan also dismissed the Socceroos’ chances after the draw, and took aim at Australia’s “smug” coach. “You can get on the Qantas airplane and head back home,” he said.
I feel obliged to note that Grella and I went to the same college. Many years apart.
But Snape also notes that the countries and their soccer cultures are similar – youth participation has been strong, but building professional success is a work in progress.
Starting XIs: Pulisic out
The injury that was downplayed during the opening game against Paraguay is apparently more serious than first indicated. Throughout the week, the driving force of the US attack was limited in training, raising questions about his availability today.
He is indeed not available. Ricardo Pepi will take his place.
Australia will have five at the back, so it’ll be important for Jordan Bos (Feyenoord) on the left and Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK) on the right to get forward. The USA lineup includes two players who’ve spent time as wingbacks, and left back Antonee “Jedi” Robinson (Fulham) is likely to play that role, but the broadcasters’ graphics are insisting that Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven) will be in midfield, not at the back.
The full lineups:
Australia: Beach; Bos, Burgess, Souttar, Circati, Italiano; Velupillay, Okon-Engstler, O’Neill, Leckie; Toure
USA: Freese; Robinson, Ream, Richards, Freeman; Dest, Adams, Tillman, McKennie; Pepi, Balogun
Neither of Australia’s scorers from the 2-0 win over Turkiye, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, will start.
What’s at stake …
The US men are out to do what no US men’s team have done in 96 years.
Win a second consecutive World Cup match.
Only twice have the US men followed a World Cup win with anything other than a loss. In 2002, they kept enough momentum from their opening win against Portugal to get a draw against South Korea, then lost to Poland and needed a Portuguese meltdown in another group game to advance to the famous 2-0 win over Mexico in the Round of 16. In their credible run in 2014, they followed the exorcism against Ghana by snatching a draw from the jaws of victory against Portugal, then bowing out with two dignified defeats against Germany and Belgium.
More commonly, a US men’s World Cup win is followed by a game fans would rather forget. In 1950, the famous win against England preceded a 5-2 defeat by Chile. In 1994, the last time the Cup was on US soil, they followed their rousing win against Colombia with a loss to Romania that reminded the casual US sports fan why they didn’t really care for soccer. In 2010, the “Howard to Donovan to Altidore to Dempsey to wow this is really happening DONOVAN SCORES ON THE REBOUND AHHHHHHHHH!! BAR CELEBRATIONS GO VIRAL” win over Algeria sent them to a second straight elimination at the feet of Ghana. Then in 2022, the Flying Pulisics avenged a 1998 loss to Iran but ran into the Netherlands.
Australia won two straight World Cup* games in 2022, beating Tunisia and Denmark to reach the knockout rounds, but they can also make history. The Socceroos have never finished first in a World Cup group. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head results, so if Australia win this game, it would take a convoluted series of results (Paraguay over Turkiye, Paraguay over Australia, USA over Turkiye) to complicate matters.
Before the 2022 Cup, the Socceroos had only won two World Cup games in their history – one in 2006, when they also got a draw to advance to the knockouts, and one in 2010.
(*) – pointing out once again that the term “World Cup” refers to the entire tournament including qualification, so what I’m describing above is technically based on results from World Cup finals, which is the term for the 32-team … I mean, 48-team … tournament we’re watching now.
With Christian Pulisic out, Mauricio Pochettino opts for a big man/little man strike partnership with Ricardo Pepi slotting in alongside Folarin Balogun. Pepi is the pool’s best hold-up forward, willing to drop into midfield to help in possession sequences and a consistent contributor to a frontline press. He can now do all kinds of off-ball work with Balogun able to stretch the backline and keep Australia from clamping into too tight a defensive block.
Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie offers adequate balance in midfield, with width coming via Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson.
Christian Pulisic is out
The lineups are out, and Christian Pulisic is not only not among the starters, but he’s not listed among the subs either. Mauricio Pochettino has told the Fox pregame broadcast that the US star is unavailable.
Pulisic has been dealing with a calf injury since before the first game against Paraguay, which was aggravated in the first half. Pulisic exited at half-time of the 4-1 win.
Ricardo Pepi comes into the XI in his place, which will presumably change the look considerably.
Updated
Preamble
Welcome to a matchup between two countries united by one vital fact …
Both countries refer to this sport as “soccer” rather than “football.”
Actually, most English-speaking countries commonly use the word soccer. Consider Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa.
Australia is unique in the sense that the word is incorporated in their nickname – Socceroos. Which raises an important question: Why doesn’t the US team have a cool nickname like that?
Feel free to send in your ideas while waiting for this one to start. In any case, this is a vital game, with each team poised to advance to the knockout rounds.
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a look at what Australia and the USA will each need to do to win Friday’s clash in Seattle:
Australia
Back Nestory Irankunda: the 20-year-old was expected to be an impact player at this World Cup, coming on as a substitute to affect matches against tiring opposition. A player of the match performance when starting against Turkey showed how Irankunda has become one of the Socceroos’ most important players. While still learning his wing-craft, his speed and determination without the ball are vital in a Socceroos outfit seemingly happy to give their opponents’ possession, and his ability to make the most of transition and direct opportunities – as seen for his opening goal against Turkey – can be a superpower.
United States
Midfield rotations are key: this is the kind of thing that any USMNT fan would have known before last week’s fantastic opener, but the nature of the US’s play in that game made it especially so. Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro took time in his presser to specifically compliment the starting trio of Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman, whom he described as “floating” and a key part of a “pentagon” of play. For as well as Australia played against Turkey, they did not dictate the tempo, conceding more than 70% of possession and getting overrun in the centre of the park. If the US are going to do something with similar levels of possession, they’ll need their midfield to continue rotating effectively to help pull the Socceroos’ back two lines out of shape, manufacturing gaps in what had proven to be an airtight defence.
