News Focus
- The United States and Australia face off in a crucial World Cup group stage clash in Seattle this Friday
- Their previous friendly in October ended in a heated encounter that required a strong half-time team talk from coach Mauricio Pochettino
- The Socceroos have changed their tactics since October, showing defensive strength in their recent victory over Turkey
- Key Australian players like Nestory Irankunda pose a serious threat to the American defence with pace and counter-attacking skill
- Only three players from the US starting eleven are expected to keep their places from the October meeting
When Haji Wright scored calmly during last October’s friendly between the United States and Australia, manager Mauricio Pochettino stood still on the side of the pitch. The Coventry City striker had made the score level after Jordan Bos put the Socceroos ahead. However, the Argentinian coach showed no emotion. Perhaps he was thinking about Christian Pulisic leaving the pitch early after a hard tackle. Or maybe he was planning how to make his team fight harder.
The former Chelsea boss gave a strong half-time team talk that affected everyone. “He wanted us to hit back when opponents test us,” Wright said this week. The speech, shown in a recent TV series about the team’s World Cup journey, pushed the Americans to match Australia’s physical style. They won the game and went on to win three matches in a row.
Eight months later, the two nations meet again at the biggest football tournament in the world. Friday’s match in Seattle will be very different. Only Weston McKennie, Chris Richards and Matt Freese started both the October friendly and the first game against Paraguay. But Australia have kept more of the same players. Harry Souttar now leads the team as captain, with Patrick Beach in goal and Paul Okon-Engstler in midfield.
The changes in Graham Arnold’s team worry the American players. Against Turkey, Australia had only thirty per cent of the ball but still created many chances on the counter-attack. Nestory Irankunda, who caused problems for the US defence in October, was named best player after scoring against Turkey. Several US players say his speed is the main danger.
“They look more organised now,” Wright noted. “They are strong at the back, and scoring against them will be difficult.”
Tyler Adams said the upcoming game will be “one of our hardest matches.” He praised Australia for being aggressive, clever and tactically smart. His words remind us of October, when Pochettino told his players to stand up to rough play.
Sebastian Berhalter watched that friendly from outside the pitch. He respects teams that show team spirit and desire. “You respect sides with that brotherhood, that hunger to fight,” he said. “It makes you play better.”
Now the US must show they remember that heated October meeting as they try to advance from a difficult World Cup group.