Commerce City, Colo. — From the point head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced his squad for two upcoming World Cup warm-up games, he emphasized a crucial point: “Nobody’s place is guaranteed.” This message was reiterated before their thrilling comeback win against Australia.
Some questioned this method. After Haji Wright’s two goals brought the Americans back from a deficit, Pochettino acknowledged the need for a stable starting lineup to foster consistency ahead of the roster selection for the 2026 World Cup next summer.
Tuesday’s success confirmed the effectiveness of Pochettino’s approach. With a significant rotation in lineup since their earlier tie with Ecuador, the U.S. players showed remarkable adaptability, winning 2-1 even after star Christian Pulisic suffered a hamstring injury early on.
“That’s not a coincidence,” Pochettino remarked, expressing satisfaction with his team’s performance, albeit with a desire for more improvement.
Reserve midfielder Cristian Roldan played a pivotal role by assisting both goals to Wright, who seized the chance to shine during his first start under Pochettino. His contributions might significantly influence his chances for the upcoming World Cup.
Australian coach Tony Popovic praised the American team, stating, “They’ve got fantastic players…I’d be pretty confident if I was a USA fan at the moment.” Gradually, confidence is building within the U.S. squad.
“It gives us confidence knowing that even without one of our best players, we can continue to score against top teams,” stated defender Chris Richards, reflecting the growing belief among the players.
With Ecuador ranking second in South America’s World Cup qualifiers and Australia riding a 12-game unbeaten streak, the challenges were undoubtedly tough. Notably, all three U.S. goals this month were achieved without Pulisic. Several other expected starters were also unavailable, including 2022 World Cup captain Tyler Adams and injured defenders Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson.
Captain Tim Ream was rested for this match, allowing Folarin Balogun, a prior goal scorer, to step up as a substitute.
Pochettino addressed the weaknesses in their performance, admitting, “In the World Cup, if you start the game in the way that we did and concede a goal, it’s difficult to have another chance.” Nevertheless, the comeback was inspiring.
“After getting scored on, it was the punch we needed to wake us up. For us, this means everything,” Richards commented, emphasizing the importance of winning ahead of the World Cup.
Man of the Match Wright noted his necessity to continuously perform, showing commitment as he aims for a spot in the final World Cup roster.
The U.S. team will regroup in Philadelphia next month for two more friendly matches against Paraguay and Uruguay, observed by Pochettino as essential tests to maintain their growth.
“I think I need to keep performing to strengthen my World Cup case,” Wright concluded, while Pochettino echoed, “I’m pleased, but I wanted more. My competitive blood drives me to seek better performance.”
