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U.S. Soccerwise: USMNT vs. Australia Preview presented by Soccer.com
Description
The USMNT opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an emphatic win over Paraguay, but a much tougher challenge awaits against Australia.
David Gass and Matt Doyle break down what made the U.S. performance against Paraguay so convincing, whether that level can be replicated against stronger opposition, and how the Americans match up with the Socceroos. The guys discuss Australia's impressive win over Turkey, the threat posed by Nestory Irankunda and Australia's transition attack, Christian Pulisic's fitness, lineup questions, tactical adjustments, and what could be one of the best atmospheres of the tournament in Seattle.
0:00 Intro
2:47 Revisiting Paraguay: The Performance, Process & Opportunity
11:17 Breaking Down Australia's Win Over Turkey & The Matchup
18:17 USMNT vs. Australia Tactical Battles
21:45 USMNT Starting XI & Christian Pulisic Update
24:32 Game Management, Tyler Adams & In-Game Adjustments
29:19 Group Scenarios, Seattle Atmosphere & What's at Stake
31:40 Australia's Underdog Mentality & Final Thoughts