The USMNT’s opening FIFA World Cup win against Paraguay had a lot of ties to the 1930s.
The three-goal margin of victory Friday occurred for the first time since 1930. Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals, became the first player since 1930 to score at least twice goals in a World Cup game.
On Friday, the USMNT will look for another tie-in with 1930.
With a win against Australia, the USMNT, for the first time since the tournament’s debut in 1930, would record wins in the first two group-stage games.
Of course, the tournament then and now look totally different, but a win would put the USMNT into the Round of 32, setting the path for potentially extended run.
“We are so happy, but that is only the start,” USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said after Friday’s 4-1 victory. “We need to enjoy about that start of the tournament, but knowing that we need to keep going and trying to improve and try to do better in this game because with me, all the games (will be) very competitive.”
As easy as Friday’s opener looked, things should take a much more difficult approach against the Socceroos. Australia opened group play with a 2-0 win over Turkiye on Saturday.
“In our group, especially, there’s a lot of quality teams that are all pretty evenly matched,” USMNT defender Antonee Robinson said. “They (Australia) were really comfortable defending and they put everything on the line and obviously they’re a real big threat on the counterattack, as well.
“It’s going to be how we nullify their threats and then what positions we need to get into to exploit their backline and obviously try and score goals.”
If there was a clear example of a team not wanting the ball, then that would be Australia on Saturday. The Aussies conceded possession to Turkiye and sat in a low defensive block, but cashed in on a pair of counters – once in the first half (Nestory Irankunda in the 27th minute) and again in the second half (Connor Metcafe in the 75th) – and leaned on goalkeeper Patrick Beach (eight saves).
Of course, the big concern facing the USMNT is the status of Christian Pulisic. Throughout the week while the team was in Irvine, Pulisic did individual work with a trainer after suffering a calf injury in Friday’s game. He did the same, according to reporters, on Thursday in Seattle.
One replacement, if Pulisic is unavailable, could be Brenden Aaronson, who was part of the USMNT team that defeated Australia 2-1 in an October friendly. Pulisic was subbed off in the 30th minute of that meeting due to a hamstring injury.
“I thought they were a very, very tough team to play against,” Aaronson said of that meeting. “That was a really close game, I think we played very well on the day, but we know that this is going to be a very tough World Cup match. We need to be ready to go.
“I don’t let any of the emotions of the game get to me at all. I kind of take it day by day and if that opportunity comes, I’ll always be ready. That’s the kind of player I am. I always am ready to start games, play games, give my best and give my all. I’m looking at it the same way. It’s a game to play and whatever role I’m given, I’m going to give it my best. It’s just the player I am.”
Another possible options for Pochettino is moving Gio Reyna in the starting lineup. However, Reyna hasn’t played more than 45 minutes since late December. Timothy Weah is another option.
Whichever first 11 Pochettino sends out, Aaronson expects the same fight and toughness that were on display in Friday’s opener.
“I think the biggest thing that he (Pochettino) asked for was that fight and that grit and the aggressiveness and I think that’s the minimum for him.” Aaronson said. “Of course, there’s a little bit of tactical things in position, but when you bring that into your game, that’s what he wants to see the most.
“We were out there and we were aggressive. We won a lot of second balls and I think when you can do those things in international matches, you have the upper hand, always.”
The USMNT will conclude group play against Turkiye on Thursday in Inglewood.
FIFA WORLD CUP
Who: United States vs. Australia (Group D)
When: Noon Friday
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: FOX (Ch. 11)