Preview and setting the scene
Tonight’s men’s international friendly pits the United States against Australia in Commerce City, Colorado. The clash offers both teams a chance to test new tactical ideas and find form ahead of bigger campaigns. For the US, Mauricio Pochettino has shown openness to experimentation, while Australia under Tony Popovic looks to build on recent positive results. The venue, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, provides a distinctive entrance to the field and a unique backdrop for what promises to be a competitive 90 minutes.
Team news and lineups
Australia: Maty Ryan captains the Socceroos as they shuffle a few personnel from their 1-0 win over Canada. Notably, Nestory Irankunda, who impressed in Canada, starts on the bench in this one as Popovic tests his squad depth.
USA: The big story before kickoff is Christian Pulisic’s inclusion in the XI, after coming off the bench in the previous outing with a minor camp concern reportedly behind him. The USMNT also deploys a defensive midfielder setup with James Sands and Cristian Roldan anchoring behind the more advanced duo of Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Haji Wright leads the line as the focal point in a formation described as a 3-4-2-1 in holding and transition roles, offering flexibility once the match unfolds.
Starting XI snapshots:
- <strong USA: Matt Freese; Chris Richards, Miles Robinson; Mark McKenzie; Tim Weah, Cristian Roldan, James Sands, Alex Freeman; Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie; Haji Wright
- <strong Australia: Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan captains a lineup featuring a blend of youth and experience, with Nestory Irankunda among the options for Popovic to unleash if needed later in the game.
Kickoff is scheduled as players file onto the field through a somewhat unusual entrance path, described by observers as one of the quirks of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
First half: live updates
1 min – The whistle blows and the game is underway as both sides look to set an early tempo. The US builds from the back with Freese commanding his area, while Australia looks to press high and deny space for Pulisic and McKennie in the midfield.
15 min – The US show early intent, with Pulisic probing centrally and Weah providing width on the flank. Australia remains compact, relying on disciplined transitions to catch the US on the break.
28 min – A moment of quality from the US as a well-worked move unlocks the defense, but the shot is blocked. The tenor of the game suggests a tight contest with chances at a premium.
37 min – Australia earns a rare venture into the final third, testing Freese with a long-range effort that dips just over the bar. The crowed stays engaged as both sides chase an opener before the half.
45+2 min – The referee blows for halftime with the scores level and the sense that the first 45 minutes have delivered a balanced, tactical battle. Pulisic’s involvement has been notable, while Irankunda’s presence on the periphery of the action hints at what Australia can bring off the bench.
Second half: tactical tweaks and subs
The halftime talk could pivot on how the US can unlock a stubborn defense through the middle and exploit space behind the wing-backs. Pochettino may consider shifts that leverage Pulisic’s creativity and McKennie’s dynamic runs, while Popovic might deploy Irankunda to add a spark if an injection of pace is required.
51 min – Substitutions begin to shape the pace of the game, with both benches evaluating how fresh legs can influence the tempo. The US remains patient, sizing up pockets of space behind Australia’s defense.
68 min – A tactical move could see the US transition to more runners from midfield, trying to overload the channels and create goal-scoring opportunities for Wright. Australia will be wary of counter actions as space begins to appear in the half-spaces.
Final stretch – As the clock winds down, both teams push for a winner, with the match potentially concluding in a draw that still leaves valuable insights for both camps ahead of future fixtures.
Post-match outlook
Regardless of the result, this friendly acts as a diagnostic tool for the USMNT under Pochettino and a proving ground for Australia’s evolving squad. Pulisic’s continued involvement signals his importance to the US setup, while Irankunda’s development remains a key storyline for Australia. Fans will take away a clearer sense of how each team plans to evolve in 2024 and beyond.
Bottom line
Live updates from the USA vs Australia friendly reveal a contest shaped by tactical nuance and opportunities borne from smart substitutions. The result matters less than the experience gained and the direction each team takes after this international window.
