U.S. men's national team disrupts Australia with high press in first half

The U.S. men's national team pressed high and won most loose balls and challenges during the first half of its match against Australia. Australia manager Tony Popovic said after the match that his team found it difficult to win a challenge or a second ball and looked flat and lethargic.

Press disrupts Australian buildup The hosts started with two strikers and forced Australia to play longer passes than usual, according to the U.S. manager. The tactic limited the visitors' ability to build from the back and kept their center backs from hitting accurate long passes.

The press also pulled Australian fullbacks out of position, allowing attackers to get in behind more often than in the previous match against Türkiye.

Substitutions fail to change momentum Australia manager Tony Popovic started Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay but replaced both before the hour mark. Cristian Volpato and Nestory Irankunda entered at halftime and created some late chances, yet the visitors could not regain control of the game.

Popovic said the team committed too many unforced errors and could not wrestle back momentum after falling behind.

Second-half response limited Australia pushed forward in the later stages but faced a U.S. side that had already established physical parity through its pressing game. The U.S. manager noted that the press cannot be sustained for a full 90 minutes but achieved its main goal of disrupting the opponents' rhythm.

>"We didn't match that in the first half. We found it difficult to win a challenge, to win a second ball.