Because the United States has won without one of its biggest stars, the team is starting to earn its stripes at this World Cup.
The United States’ second Group D match against Australia on June 19 was seamless in Seattle, even with Christian Pulisic on the sidelines because of a bad left calf that is getting so much attention that it might have its own Instagram account by the time the knockout stage kicks off.
Pundits’ pre-tournament predictions stateside were focused on a U.S. march to the Round of 16, perhaps with American supporters buoying the team to overachieve and reach the quarterfinals. But after the joint host held off a physical Socceroos side 2–0, manager Mauricio Pochettino was facing questions on how far the U.S. side could go.
“What I saw is a team that really believes in what it is doing,” Pochettino said after the June 19 convincing victory, noting that the team must be flexible because “the opponents are completely different” and require different approaches.
“I think we need to keep believing ... knowing that we need to work really hard, but at the same time enjoying the time together, building our journey until the next game.
“It’s not changed too much, my view or my dreams or what I am seeing. I think it’s much better when you show good performances and win the games, I think it makes everything easier. But at the same time, it’s to keep believing. And, of course ... it was one game, three points. Now it’s two games, six points. We need to go for the next one.”
Australia manager Tony Popovic also had to face questions about the quality of the U.S. squad and its potential to advance.
“Well, they’re through now,“ he said, referring to the U.S. side having clinched a spot in the knockout round. ”So they’ve done their first part, but it’s a side that I mentioned at the press conference yesterday, I’ve been impressed with them, even going back to October.
“And they look stronger. They’re very powerful, very cohesive, you know, they have a lot of players, even [the substitutes], with the experience and quality. And they set up the game very well in the first half.
“Unfortunately, the goal just before halftime hurt us—really hurt us. But like I said, we matched them very well in the second half.”
The United States is building on a groundswell of support in a sport that has generally taken a back seat to the big four of American football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. And this team is plus-five in goal differential after posting consecutive victories at a World Cup for the first time since 1930, with big long-term goals in its sights.
Next up, the United States closes out group play on June 25 against Turkey at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
“We’re going to rest and recover,” U.S. star Folarin Balogun said in his on-field post-match interview on June 19. “We still want to win the next game against Turkey, so I think the most important thing is we stay down to earth, we stay humble, and I’m sure we can do good things.”
The U.S. side—which could use an official nickname, with only the initials for U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) as its moniker—might make strategic decisions on a number of players who picked up a yellow card during a rough match against the Socceroos.
Pochettino refused to commit to a game three lineup right after his side’s second victory.
He said any decision about who will play against Turkey would be based on availability, noting that all the players on the roster are eligible and fit to go in the group finale, but not hinting at a decision for Pulisic to return to action.
