USMNT World Cup roster implications: Wright, Roldan make cases

Commerce City, Colorado — Haji Wright Scored goals either side of half time to help United States of America defeat Australia 2-1 At a friendly event on Tuesday night.

coventry city Striker’s brace helps hosts overcome jordan bos‘ Opener in the 19th minute, both goals with the help of midfielder cristian roldan,

America’s win extended its unbeaten streak to three matches, while Australia’s 11-match unbeaten streak under manager Tony Popovich ended. It was the first time in nine games that the United States won after losing the first match under Mauricio Pochettino.

Jeff Carlisle and Joey Lynch take a look at the major talking points from the match.

, As it happened: Wright leads USMNT past Socceroos
, Pulisic concedes defeat early in USMNT friendly match with Australia
– 2026 World Cup: Who has qualified and how can others succeed?

1. Wright shows striker competition is still open

after Folarin Balogun After scoring in each of his last two U.S. games, it was beginning to look like he had gained some separation in the race to secure the starting striker spot. It was perhaps a bit of a surprise when Pochettino decided to hand Wright the start in place of Balogun. After all, Wright doesn’t start for the U.S. until September 2024 new zealand,

The move proved to be a master stroke, as Wright scored twice, although it was not clear at the start. Wright looked a little lost in the opening minutes, and seemed strangely reluctant to take advantage of the space the Australian back-line was giving him.

But Wright stuck to his task and in the 33rd minute he scored a goal from Roldan, beating the Australian goalkeeper with his right foot. Matthew RyanThen, six minutes into the second half, he ran onto another Roldan pass bypassing a defender. cameron burgess in a heap on the ground, and fired his effort past Ryan into the Australian goal.

If world cup Were they to start tomorrow, Balogun would likely get the start for the US, but Wright’s goals have kept him in the running, and increased his chances of earning a spot on the US World Cup roster. , carlisle

2. The Socceroos’ unbeaten streak is finally broken

It had to end at some point. For the first time in the Popovic era, the Socceroos have lost a match, ending an 11-game streak that began in his first game in charge last September and which had seen the team win its last seven games.

There are all the necessary qualifications for staging a friendly with a big, World Cup-sized goal in mind – even if Popovic and his staff rejected this narrative in the build-up to the game – but what will be particularly disappointing for the Socceroos is that Tuesday evening’s defeat came despite Bosque putting them ahead after 19 minutes.

Defense was a major strength of this team even before Popovic arrived, but as can be expected from the former defender, it has been strengthened in recent times. And for Australians it’s hardly a cause for panic so far.

However, Wright needed two lapses in concentration to come back championshipThe leading scorer showed that players who are in form and playing at the highest level will punish you if you give them scope. As the Socceroos began to chase the match – a game-situation largely unseen since their late draw against bahrain Last November – The United States was able to take advantage of this and create a series of looks at goal that, with a little sharp finishing, could have easily increased the lead further. , To slaughter

3. Roldan bounces back from slow start

It’s amazing to think that two months ago, Roldan was nowhere near a World Cup roster spot. He was also an afterthought for the September window, only to earn a late call-up and then put in an excellent turnaround 2-0 victory over Japan,

On Tuesday, Roldan once again helped his cause with another big performance, made even more impressive considering the way it started. America had a lot of the ball in the beginning, but in the 19th minute Bose made a dent in the American defense. chris richards and Roldan both need to perform better to thwart the left back’s slaloming runs.

But Roldan bounced back impressively. He immediately put his stamp on the American attack and twice came close to scoring on shots that missed the target. After his assist on Wright’s first goal, Roldan did some quick thinking to set up the second goal for Wright. after alex freeman Won a free kick on the right wing, Roldan had the presence of mind to take it immediately and immediately put Wright in a one-on-one situation which he duly converted.

Like Wright, Roldan did much to increase his chances of making his second consecutive World Cup roster. seattle sounders To reach that goal the midfielder has a lot of bodies to climb, some of which have impressive pedigrees. But Roldan seems to be Pochettino’s favorite for his contributions on and off the field, and if he continues to perform at this level, it will be almost impossible to leave him off the World Cup roster. , carlisle

4. Pulisic’s injury puts a halt to the October window

After a successful September window, one of the hopes Christian Pulisic October saw him perform with the USMNT’s first-choice lineup. This was not to happen. Pulisic was limited to just 17 minutes due to an ankle injury 1-1 draw against EcuadorIt is unclear whether Pulisic suffered the same ankle injury against Australia, but it is known that he suffered several heavy tackles. after australia jason geria Pulisic was booked for a transition tackle in the 26th minute, with the American attacker being sent off two minutes later.

Pochettino’s decision to remove Pulisic was justified. There was no reason to further risk the health of their star, especially given the American attacker’s excellent form. AC MilanYet this injury is still a blow for the USMNT, at least in the context of this window. The countdown to the World Cup is on, and the more Pochettino can get his top players on the field at the same time, the better. Now that will have to wait until next month, assuming Pulisic recovers in time. , carlisle

5. Australia’s defeat may have to pay a heavy price

thanks for their victory Canadacombined with austriashock of 1-0 damage to romania In european qualificationThe Socceroos entered Tuesday evening in 24th place in the FIFA rankings. It’s a situation that would have pushed the Socceroos into Pot 2, and potentially a weaker World Cup group, had a draw taken place on the day.

However, Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat dashed these hopes. Although a loss against the 16th-ranked United States would not necessarily cause them to lose a significant amount of ranking points – not even close to the 14.88 that Austria was docked for the loss to the Romanians – Australia would still slip back.

Will this defeat ultimately prove costly? We can’t know for sure, but with a clash with the defending World Cup champions and world No. 2 argentinaIndia, of all places, was heavily rumored to be one of the Socceroos’ opponents in the November window (and was ranked 21st). iran Another rumored opponent in that window), the Australians may face a mountain to climb ahead of the December draw. , To slaughter

6. Boas shows why he is considered one of Australia’s best players

As disappointing as this defeat would have been, the night was not completely ruined for Australia, with Boss producing another performance despite some stiff competition. Nestori Irankunda And mo toureWhat sets him apart as one of the most exciting talents to don the green and gold.

Coming to the fresh window after being named Eredivisie Player of the Month The first Australian to receive the honour, the 22-year-old immediately changed the dynamic of the game by coming on as a second-half substitute against Canada and was one of Australia’s best players when he started against the United States on Tuesday evening.

Blessed with rare athleticism, the left wing-back’s ability to move tirelessly up and down the touchline adds a vital ability to break lines and advance field position to Popovic’s system and his goal – pouncing on a loose ball, weaving his way through three American defenders, bundling over Roldan, and finishing into the bottom corner – epitomized the combination of skill and physical strength he brings to the game.

When Boas transferred he set a then-Australian transfer record. melbourne city To KVC Westerlo He reports a €5 million move in and after 2023 Feyenoord This season is already looking like a win-win for the Dutch giants. Give it a year or two, and it’s hard to see how one-time point guard Cook Jr. isn’t playing, and not starting, in one of the biggest leagues in the world. , To slaughter