United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said his side must match Australia’s mentality ahead of the Group D meeting in Seattle on Friday. The United States thumped Paraguay 4-1 and Australia upset Türkiye 2-0 in their opening fixtures, leaving both nations level on points atop the group.
Pochettino singled out the Socceroos’ belief and organization as decisive. “For me, it’s the mentality, the mindset, and the belief. They are a very strong team, really believing in what they are doing,” he said, adding that his team must “believe in the same way that they believe” to compete.
The coach pointed to Australia’s defensive versatility observed against Türkiye, noting mid-block and low-block defending, high pressing and rapid transitions. He recalled the teams’ friendly in Denver last October, a 2-1 United States win he described as “one of the most difficult games” in their run to the World Cup.
Pochettino also warned of the Socceroos’ physical presence. He said Australia had been compact and aggressive, clogging the middle and contesting aerial balls when delivering into the penalty area. Folarin Balogun is listed at 178cm, while Australia’s centre-back trio — Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar and Cameron Burgess — are each over 190cm.
Fitness doubts surround Christian Pulisic ahead of the match. Pochettino referenced the AC Milan attacker’s injury sustained in the October friendly after a collision with defender Jason Geria, a flashpoint in that highly physical Mile High City encounter.
