The United States will aim to maintain their momentum after a dynamic start to the World Cup, but must remain vigilant against an Australian side buoyed by a famous victory and fueled by perceived slights.
Few anticipated Friday’s clash would be a Group D decider, yet the co-hosts’ commanding 4-1 triumph over Paraguay, followed by the Socceroos’ surprising 2-0 defeat of Turkey, positions the winner as a strong favorite to advance in first place.
The skill and confidence displayed by the US in dismantling Paraguay has rightly sparked a wave of excitement among their supporters, which the team hopes to harness in Seattle.
However, Australia presents a formidable challenge: they are physically robust, defensively disciplined, and quick and incisive on the counter-attack, qualities they demonstrated effectively against Turkey.
The US is acutely aware of Australia’s threats, particularly after a contentious “friendly” in October where Christian Pulisic was forced off injured. The forward’s fitness for the rematch is again under scrutiny after he trained separately this week.
Despite Pulisic nursing a calf issue, initially picked up in training and aggravated against Paraguay, teammate Tim Weah expressed optimism on Tuesday that the winger should be able to participate.
“I think he will be ready for the game… I’m just praying to god that he feels 100% fit – he will be needed,” Weah stated.
Some US pundits have been dismissive of Australia, prompting midfielder Connor Metcalfe this month to declare there had been “so much rubbish and I’m just sick of it.”
Turkey, however, can attest to the perils of underestimating Australia: captain Hakan Calhanoglu had confidently asserted his side was “more talented” and would “dominate” before their unexpected loss.
Perhaps wisely, after goalscorer Nestory Irankunda revealed Australia used Calhanoglu’s words as motivation, Weah attempted to defuse the situation, saying: “All the talk is just nonsense.”
His US teammate Sebastian Berhalter recalled October’s intense encounter, during which coach Mauricio Pochettino reportedly chastised his players for not matching the Australians’ physicality.
“Watch that match last year, you could see they were up for it,” Berhalter said on Tuesday. “I think that’s when Mauricio had that halftime rant and he said ‘these guys can’t kick us around’.”
Weah noted the US had become “more aggressive” since, with Berhalter crediting Pochettino for the transformation, stating the Argentine had “showed us Americans what we’re about.”
“We’re American, we don’t take s***,” Berhalter declared.
Australia’s Alessandro Circati, however, echoed a similar sentiment for his countrymen: “We don’t take it either.”
