At a World Cup with more days in between games than the 2022 finals, co-hosts the USA have enjoyed their downtime as a group since a rousing 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles last Saturday to start their tournament.
“Spending this time with these guys is amazing,” says forward Brenden Aaronson (via USMNT), adding that the players watched each fixture unfold across the first matchdays of the finals.
“I’m always playing video games with the guys, whether it’s Clash Royale on our phones, PGA, FIFA or other games.
“We always like to have fun with each other. The atmosphere [against Paraguay] was up there for me as one of the best US crowds that I’ve seen in a long, long time.
“It was amazing. It was top notch. We’re going to Seattle knowing we’re going to have the same turn-out, so we’re really excited about that. It definitely pushed us on to have such a great game.”
Australia also started in style, beating 2002 semi-finalists Turkiye 2-0 in Vancouver to put themselves on the brink of reaching the last 16 at a second successive World Cup.
“They’re going to come aggressive and front foot,” predicted defender Cameron Burgess, praising the USA’s “tremendous talent”.
“We analysed [Turkiye] as much as we could and were well versed on what their strengths were, on and off the ball.
“It’s a credit to the coaching staff, the analysts, to give us all the detail we can possibly get, and for the boys to take it all in and then go out in the pitch and implement it.
“We know that the game will be different in terms of how the US play and press. It’s up to us to be ready.”
World Cup 2026: USA v Australia team news
Christian Pulisic impressed against Paraguay before the Milan forward was replaced by the USA at half-time with a calf issue.
The forward trained individually on Monday but head coach Mauricio Pochettino called the prognosis for his captain “good”, while midfielder Tyler Adams responded with a call to “relax” when he was asked about his teammate.
“Christian will be ready,” added Adams. “I think he picked up a knock a few days before the game and I think he got kicked in the same spot.
“When you go in at half-time, things get tight within the 15, 20-minute break. But he’ll be fine.”
Mo Toure, who missed more than a month with a muscle injury earlier this year, is a doubt for Australia after suffering cramp against Turkiye.
“I thought it was worse than it was because it just came out of nowhere, and it could be a tear,” the Norwich City striker said after the game.
Patrick Beach made his competitive international debut against Turkiye and the 22-year-old showed why he displaced 34-year-old caps centurion Maty Ryan in goal.
