After these two sides both won their Group D openers last week, both the Socceroos and the Stars and Stripes are seeking to continue their perfect starts in Seattle. The United States' confidence is sky-high, having scored four in a World Cup match for the very first time, demolishing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium. So now, the American public are demanding more of the same.
However, securing another win will not be easy. Opponents Australia was excellent during their 2-0 victory over Türkiye in Vancouver on Saturday, displaying a masterclass how to win a match as an underdog. The Socceroos had just 28% possession, mustering only nine shots to Türkiye's 30, but prevailed 2-0 at BC Place. Thus, Tony Popovic's team will not be easy opponents for Mauricio Pochettino's side, but which three players should USMNT supporters be paying closest attention to?
Patrick Beach
Most Aussie football fans were surprised when their team sheet dropped last weekend, Popovic very much vindicated, and it was his choice of goalkeeper that raised the most eyebrows. Captain Mat Ryan, who has 104 caps to his name, was left in reserve, with Patrick Beach instead getting the nod. The 22 year old plays for Melbourne City in the A-League and, before this win, had only two caps to his name, starting friendlies against Venezuela in November and Switzerland earlier this month.
Despite his inexperience, Beach made eight saves, the second most of any goalkeeper on matchday one of the group phase, behind only Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Owai. Meantime, his xG prevented figure of 1.46 is the highest of any goalkeeper at the World Cup thus far, a smidgen ahead of Cape Verde's Vozinha. Setting the numbers to one side, Beach put in a commanding performance, so it will taking something special from the U.S. attackers to beat him.
Harry Souttar
Speaking of immovable forces at the back for Australia, look not further than Harry Souttar. Born in Scotland, his brother John is in Steve Clarke's squad, but Harry has been an Australia international since 2019, and is a key figure for the Socceroos. The 6 ft 6 in centre-back plays like, well, exactly how you might imagine a man of that profile does. Against Türkiye, he racked up an astonishing 17 defensive contributions, of which 13 were clearances, a tally only two Bosnians bettered during the opening round of fixtures.
World Cup matchday one: Players with most clearances
Player | Nation | Game 1 clearances |
|---|---|---|
Tarik Muharemović | Bosnia | 21 |
Nikola Katić | Bosnia | 16 |
Harry Souttar | Australia | 13 |
Ali Nemati | Iran | 12 |
Yazan Al-Arab | Jordan | 12 |
Pico Lopes | Cape Verde | 11 |
Note: Statistics courtesy of SofaScore.
If you've never seen Souttar player before, he is best described as a man mountain. Thus, if the U.S. are planning to swing crosses into the box on Friday afternoon, well that'll be a futile strategy, because Souttar will head and clear everything away, making his teams tough to score again.
Nestory Irankunda
Last, but by no means least, Australia do pose a threat in attack too, mainly thanks to Nestory Irankunda. He scored their crucial opening goal against Türkiye, his sixth goal in just 16 caps for the Socceroos, previously netting against Palestine, New Zealand, Canada and Curaçao twice. The 20 year old, who plays his club football for Watford, is a direct, very fast winger who is very difficult to get the ball off when he is in full flow.
Alongside striker Mohamed Touré, Irankunda provide Australia with an attacking outlet, which they vitally need considering how deep the Socceroos tend to defend. So, Irankunda is the player in green and gold that USMNT fans should fear and keep the closest eye on in Friday's match.
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