U.S. Soccerwise: USMNT vs. Australia Preview presented by Soccer.com

June 17
40 mins

View Transcript

Episode 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

See all episodes