U.S. Men's National Team Seeks Second Group Win Against Australia

The U.S. Men's National Team can record two group-stage wins for only the second time in World Cup history when it meets Australia on Friday at Lumen Field. A victory would also clinch a spot in the knockout round if Paraguay draws or beats Türkiye later in Group D.

The Americans opened the tournament with a 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California. It was the first time the team scored four goals in a single World Cup match and only the third time it has won its opening game.

Sports and Telemundo drew a combined record 24,886,000 viewers for the Paraguay match. The English-language broadcast averaged 15,986,000 viewers across FOX, Tubi and Fox One, more than double the 2022 opener against Wales. Midfielder Cristian Roldan said the team has noticed the increased attention.

"We're all aware of it," he said. "We all have social media. We constantly have the TV on, watching other games on Fox Sports. They're talking about the U.S." Roldan added that the squad remains focused on the next match. "We understand that it was just one game," he said.

He has trained separately in modified sessions since Monday. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said a final decision on Pulisic's availability will be made Thursday night or Friday. "He's evolving. He's much better," Pochettino said. " Teammates expressed cautious optimism.

"Hopefully, he can be there tomorrow," midfielder Weston McKennie said. Players described the Socceroos as combative and tactically disciplined. "It's going to be one of the most difficult games that we play," midfielder Tyler Adams said. " Defender Sergino Dest said the team is motivated to build on the opening result.

"We had a great game against Paraguay, but we want more," he said. A U.S. win would set up a round-of-16 match against a third-place team from another group on July 1 in San Francisco.