‘We’re American’: How Socceroos can shut up trash talking hosts
SEATTLE: As the dust settles on the Socceroos’ historic victory over Turkiye attention now turns to the USA in Seattle, with between 10-15,000 Australian fans expected to attend Seattle Stadium for the highly anticipated matchup.
The collective work rate and defensive discipline that was on show by the Socceroos against Turkiye will need to be replicated against a US team which will be riding high after their opening game 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay.
The Socceroos with their fans after beating Turkey 2-0. Getty Images
The media hysteria which followed the US’s first up win would have you believe that they are going to go on and become world champions with midfielder Sebastian Berhalter highlighting the unwavering mentality of the US group under Mauricio Pochettino.
“I think one is that we’re American. We don’t take shit,” Berhalter said.
Off field jibes from American pundit Mike Grella have continued with the former MLS forward claiming that Tony Popovic and his team have “no shot” when it comes to competing with the US.
“The only way they can play is in defence and try to keep it 0-0,” claimed Grella.
These comments though, according to Network 10 and Paramount + lead football analyst and commentator Andy Harper, has only added extra spice and intrigue to the upcoming contest.
“The game has been set up nicely with the Socceroos win over Turkiye as well as all the trash talking around the Socceroos,” Harper told Nine.com.au.
Talk though is cheap, as Turkiye and Hakan Calhanoglu found out. The US team is also keen to distance themselves from any comments made by the media regarding the Socceroos, with US midfielder Tyler Adams dismissing the notion that the Socceroos would be “a layup”.
“No, it’s not a layup, if anything, it’s going to be one of the most difficult games that we play,” said Adams.
If the Socceroos are to be successful against the US, Harper believes the team needs to be better with the ball.
“We saw the template of the Socceroos against Turkiye, very compact and playing a lot of football on the counter, we need to be better though with the football when in possession,” Harper explained.
Paul Okon-Engstler and Aiden O’Neill were superb in the heart of midfield against Turkiye and both will need to be at their energetic best against the US.
O’Neill’s selfless running and awareness in helping shield the back four will be key in limiting the impact of Weston McKennie and his ability to float between the lines, while Okon-Engstler’s forward passing will again be vital in linking the play and involving the dynamic abilities of Nestory Irankunda.
Paraguay was seemingly caught cold by the intensity and pace of a US team which completely overwhelmed them. Popovic will have the Socceroos ready for the onslaught, as well as being aware of the quality that the US team possesses if given time and space.
This is led by ‘Captain America’ and AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic who is still in doubt with a left calf injury but looked back to his best in the opening half against Paraguay.
Christian Pulisic is the USA's biggest superstar. Karl Anderson
Pulisic’s direct dribbling caused countless headaches for the Paraguayan defence, with frontman Folarin Balogun feeding off his delivery, while Sergino Dest looked to push forward in support on the opposite wing.
Defensively Balogun will provide the likes of Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati a different and more physical threat than what was on offer against Turkiye.
This, Harper believes, will be another crucial battle in deciding the possible result of the match, with the Socceroos defenders needing to be prepared.
“If Balogun plays it is a completely different proposition for the Socceroos defence,” added Harper.
Jacob Italiano and Jordan Bos were outstanding both defensively and in attack against Turkiye but will be tested against a mobile US forward line.
The likes of Dest and Pulisic will look to exploit the space left by Italiano and Bos when pushing forward with the Socceroos needing to be spatially aware in and out of possession to limit this threat.
The Socceroos have defied the odds once and Popovic will believe they can do it again in what promises to be one of the standout group stage fixtures of the World Cup. The rivalry comes to life at 5am (AEST) Saturday.
Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic is obsessed with the details. Getty
