US prepares for World Cup match against Australia after tense friendly
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 8:00 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
The US men’s national team is set to face Australia in their World Cup opener in Seattle on Friday. This follows a competitive friendly match last October, which the US tied 1-1 after a halftime pep talk from coach Mauricio Pochettino. The friendly highlighted the physical style of play from Australia, which saw Christian Pulisic exit due to injury. Both teams have made adjustments since the previous encounter, with Australia bringing in several key players. The match poses a significant challenge for the US as they aim to replicate their second-half performance from the friendly.
- •The US and Australia meet in a World Cup opener on June 20.
- •US equalized with a goal from Haji Wright during the previous friendly.
- •Pochettino's halftime speech motivated a strong second-half response.
- •Australia has made several lineup changes since the last meeting.
- •Match poses a tactical challenge for the US against Australia's approach.
- 8:00 PMYahoo Sports — How a furiously contested friendly set the stage for US v Australia at the World Cup
- 8:00 PMThe Guardian Sport — How a furiously contested friendly set the stage for US v Australia at the World Cup
"After Mauricio Pochettino’s passionate half-time speech last October, the US shaped up and started on the path to a rematch against the Australians in Seattle Haji Wright’s finish was cool, but Mauricio Pochettino’s reaction was cooler. It was the 35th minute of the US men’s national team’s friendly against Australia last October, and the Coventry City striker had just equalized after Jordan Bos put the Socceroos up earlier in the half. Wright celebrated by walking calmly away, while his coach had a blank expression on the sideline. Pochettino’s mind may have been on Australia’s aggressive approach, including one challenge that forced Christian Pulisic out of the match midway through the first half. Or he may have been focused on his team’s reaction. Continue reading...
"After Mauricio Pochettino’s passionate half-time speech last October, the US shaped up and started on the path to a rematch against the Australians in Seattle
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 8:00 PMHow a furiously contested friendly set the stage for US v Australia at the World Cup
After Mauricio Pochettino’s passionate half-time speech last October, the US shaped up and started on the path to a rematch against the Australians in Seattle
- The Guardian SportJun 18, 2026, 8:00 PMHow a furiously contested friendly set the stage for US v Australia at the World Cup
After Mauricio Pochettino’s passionate half-time speech last October, the US shaped up and started on the path to a rematch against the Australians in Seattle Haji Wright’s finish was cool, but Mauricio Pochettino’s reaction was cooler. It was the 35th minute of the US men’s national team’s friendly against Australia last October, and the Coventry City striker had just equalized after Jordan Bos put the Socceroos up earlier in the half. Wright celebrated by walking calmly away, while his coach had a blank expression on the sideline. Pochettino’s mind may have been on Australia’s aggressive approach, including one challenge that forced Christian Pulisic out of the match midway through the first half. Or he may have been focused on his team’s reaction. Continue reading...
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