US Men's National Team Dominates Australia in Pre-Knockout Stage Match

From the moment four military helicopters flew over Seattle Stadium to end the American national anthem, Australia knew it was in for a battle.

The deafening crowd, the overwhelming patriotism, and most importantly, a switched-on, well-drilled US side laid the foundation for what was to come in the first half.

Almost total domination.

The US showed it against Paraguay a week ago and rolled out the same game plan — speed, power and intense pressing.

But unlike against Türkiye, the Socceroos didn't look prepared.

The decision to start Nishan Vellupilay and Mathew Leckie screamed pragmatism, a need to soak up the US pressure by having two slightly more defensively minded wingers on the field.

But it was clear from very early on the nature of the Americans's pressure had the Socceroos rattled.

They were caught in possession far too often, often deep in their own half, which allowed the US to recycle the ball and load another attack.

The back three, which stood up so well to the Turkish attack, struggled to shut down Folarin Balogun, who found space time and time again. And it was he who forced the opening goal, with a driven cross into the area, catching out Cameron Burgess, who bundled the ball into his own net.

There was no hydration break heroics from the Socceroos this time either.

Tony Popovic warned in his pre-game media conference that his side would need to find another level. In the first 45 minutes, they didn't.

The United States domination of the first half was clear as day to the naked eye, and it bore out in the statistics as well.

Seventy per cent possession. More shots. More passes. They even made more tackles than the Australians.

If the Socceroos went into this match with belief, the US went in with the proof.

Proof that they are indeed the best team in Group D, even without Christian Pulisic, and with their passage to the knockout stage now guaranteed, they now have the luxury of planning.

Popovic and the Socceroos don't have that luxury. Their destiny is still very much in their hands, but they will need to recapture the belief that propelled them to a sensational win over Türkiye.

While barely a single player was able to replicate their performance from a week ago, there were some positives.

The introduction of Cristian Volpato for the injured Leckie allowed the winger to show his skill. He immediately played a lovely ball to release Nestory Irankunda, and set up Connor Metcalfe's driven shot just after the hour mark.

Irankunda demonstrated again why he is Australia's most important attacking weapon, and surely regains his starting spot against Paraguay, while Patrick Beach made some fine saves in goal.

It's unlikely Popovic will panic, but he's got some thinking to do if Australia is going to make its mark on the World Cup.