USMNT World Cup Roster…

COMMERCE CITY, Colorado — Haji Wright netted two goals, one on either side of half-time, to lead the United States to a 2-1 victory over Australia in a friendly on Tuesday night.

The striker from Coventry City helped the U.S. overcome an early goal from Jordan Bos, who scored in the 19th minute. Both of Wright’s goals were set up by midfielder Cristian Roldan.

This victory marked the U.S.’s third consecutive unbeaten game, while Australia saw their impressive 11-game streak under manager Tony Popovic come to a halt. Notably, this was the first win for the U.S. under Mauricio Pochettino after previously conceding first in nine games.

Jeff Carlisle and Joey Lynch discuss the key highlights from the match.

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– Match Recap: Wright Leads USMNT Past Socceroos
– Pulisic Subbed Off Early in Friendly Against Australia
– 2026 World Cup: Qualification Updates for Nations

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1. Wright’s Performance Keeps Striker Competition Intense

As Folarin Balogun scored in his previous two outings for the U.S., it seemed he was solidifying his position as the starting striker. This made Pochettino’s decision to start Wright in place of Balogun somewhat surprising, given that Wright hadn’t started for the U.S. since September 2024 against New Zealand.

However, this decision paid off as Wright managed to score twice, although his early performance wasn’t particularly promising. In the initial stages, he appeared hesitant to exploit the space offered by Australia’s defense.

Wright broke through in the 33rd minute, finishing a through ball from Roldan with his right foot past Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. Then, just six minutes into the second half, he sprinted onto another pass from Roldan, leaving defender Cameron Burgess behind, and expertly curled his shot into the goal.

If the World Cup were to kick off tomorrow, Balogun might still hold the starting position, but Wright’s performance has kept him in contention and bolstered his chances for the U.S. World Cup roster. — Carlisle

2. Socceroos’ Unbeaten Streak Comes to an End

Eventually, a streak must end, and the Socceroos faced their first defeat under Popovic, breaking an 11-game unbeaten run that dates back to his inaugural match last September, during which the team notched seven victories.

While this was merely a friendly with a larger World Cup objective in mind, the disappointment looms for Australia, especially since they took the lead with Bos’s goal in the 19th minute.

Historically strong in defense, the Socceroos have bolstered this aspect under Popovic, but it is not panic stations for the Australians just yet.

Nevertheless, lapses in concentration allowed Wright to take advantage, and as demonstrated by the Championship’s leading scorer, in-form players will exploit any slack defending. As the Socceroos pressed to regain control of the match, they allowed the U.S. to create numerous scoring opportunities that could have widened the lead with sharper finishing. — Lynch

3. Roldan’s Strong Performance After Slow Start

Just two months ago, Roldan seemed far from a World Cup roster consideration, having even been overlooked for the September window before earning a late call-up for a standout performance in the 2-0 victory over Japan.

On Tuesday, Roldan showcased his skills again with a strong performance, particularly noteworthy after a shaky start. Although the U.S. held possession early, Bos managed to breach the defense in the 19th minute, making it an area Roldan and Chris Richards could have better defended.

Roldan quickly made his mark on the U.S. offense, narrowly missing the target on two attempts. After providing the assist for Wright’s first goal, he displayed quick-thinking to set up the second. Following a free kick won by Alex Freeman on the right side, Roldan took the free kick quickly to put Wright into a clear scoring opportunity, which he converted effectively.

Roldan, like Wright, has improved his chances for making a World Cup roster. The Seattle Sounders midfielder has stiff competition for a place, but given Pochettino’s apparent preference for him, his consistent performances may make it difficult not to include him in the World Cup roster. — Carlisle

4. Pulisic’s Injury Overshadows the October Window

Following a successful September window, October held promise for Christian Pulisic to play alongside key teammates on the USMNT roster. Unfortunately, he was sidelined due to an ankle injury, limiting his participation to just 17 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador. It’s uncertain if his injury happened during the match against Australia, but he did endure several tough challenges. He was substituted in the 28th minute following a reckless tackle from Australia’s Jason Geria.

Pochettino’s decision to remove Pulisic was sound; there was no need to risk aggravating his injury, especially considering his stellar form at AC Milan. Nonetheless, this injury poses a setback for the USMNT during this window. With the World Cup fast approaching, maximizing time on the pitch for top players is crucial. Pulisic’s return will be pivotal next month, assuming he recovers timely. — Carlisle

5. Australia’s Defeat Could Have Significant Consequences

Thanks to a recent victory over Canada, along with Austria‘s surprising 1-0 defeat to Romania during European qualifying, Australia had entered the match ranked 24th in FIFA standings. This positioning could have elevated the Socceroos into Pot 2 for the World Cup draw.

However, the 2-1 loss on Tuesday has hindered those ambitions. Although the setback against a higher-ranked U.S. team won’t result in a large drop in ranking points—unlike Austria’s significant loss—it will still cause Australia to slide back in the rankings.

It’s unclear how this defeat could impact Australia moving forward, especially with potential encounters against reigning World Cup champions Argentina rumbling forthcoming in November, alongside the 21st-ranked Iran rumored to be another opponent. The Socceroos might have a challenging road ahead before the draw in December. — Lynch

6. Bos Shines as a Rising Star for Australia

Despite the disappointing loss, Australia’s night wasn’t fully wasted, as Bos delivered yet another strong performance. His play has established him as one of the most exciting prospects for the national team, despite stiff competition from players like Nestory Irankunda and Mo Touré.

Fresh off being named Eredivisie player of the month—the first Australian to earn this honor—Bos instantly influenced the game when he came on against Canada and was among Australia’s top performers against the U.S. on Tuesday.

Equipped with exceptional athleticism, Bos’s relentless energy along the left flank enhances the ability to create offensive opportunities in Popovic’s system. His goal—taking advantage of a defensive error, maneuvering through three U.S. defenders, and finishing with precision—highlighted his unique blend of skill and physical strength.

Having set an Australian transfer record moving from Melbourne City to KVC Westerlo in 2023, and now transitioning to the Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord for a reported €5 million, it seems inevitable that within a year or two, Bos will be making his mark in one of the world’s leading leagues. — Lynch