Australia looked like a bunch of bananas in their all-yellow strip against the USA, and it is tempting to call this comprehensive 2-0 defeat a banana skin in the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign. In truth, however, this was less a slip up than a humbling, and the visitors proved ripe opposition as the hosts came and took what they wanted.
After the celebrations against Turkey, and the optimism of the past week, this was a jarring correction for Australia and their 10,000-strong travelling fans. The Socceroos looked second best and shellshocked for most of this early afternoon fixture.
The swagger they offered against Turkey appeared to be luggage lost somewhere between Vancouver, just a few hours’ drive to the north, and their training base in Oakland. Compared to the Socceroos’ opening match, this opposition was improved – seemingly winning every 50-50 contest, all the time faster and more physical – but at the same time this Australian team was one that was hard to recognise.
Before kick-off, Nishan Velupillay was out on the field in slides familiarising himself with the imposing Seattle Stadium alongside Mo Touré when the team news landed. The Melbourne Victory forward was named a surprise starter, along with Mat Leckie from crosstown club Melbourne City.
It was a selection that raised eyebrows. Out was Nestory Irankunda, star of the previous week’s clash against Turkey. He walked into the dressing room wearing dark sunglasses, making his mood difficult to interpret. The other goalscorer in that 2-0 win, Connor Metcalfe, was also moved to the bench.
Coach Tony Popovic had been rewarded for his risk-taking in Vancouver. The same cannot be said against the USA. Leckie and Velupillay not only struggled to make an impact going forward, they were unable to protect the fullbacks behind them.
Down Australia’s left, Weston McKennie was a constant menace, assisted by Sergiño Dest. The raids made even Jordy Bos, so comfortable last week against Turkey, look vulnerable. The fullback picked up a yellow card in a miserable first half, and was manhandled by the American right flank, with Alex Freeman also looking assured at full-back. When the half-time whistle went, Bos’s frustrations almost boiled over, as he argued with the Americans as he wandered off.
Despite the Americans’ threat down their right, the opener came from the opposite side. A belated Socceroos press gave Antonee Robinson time to measure a pass to Folarin Balogun, who accelerated past Alessandro Circati. His square pass across the six-yard box was awkwardly toed into the net by an unfortunate Cameron Burgess.
That was the trouble for Australia. Bos, Circati and Burgess were three who looked among the Socceroos’ most accomplished against Turkey. In Seattle, the Americans began the humiliation of the Socceroos from the top. The second goal may have been fortunate – a deflected shot wrong-footing Patrick Beach before the headed finish by Freeman – but it was no less than the USA deserved and came just before half-time.
Popovic appeared to recognise the error of his ways with a triple substitution at half-time, including the introduction of both Irankunda and Metcalfe. Christian Volpato came on for his World Cup debut not long after, and soon had the Socceroos’ best chance. In an improved second half, Volpato – whose commitment to Australia has been questioned – appeared to show more fight than anyone, at one time urging the yellow stripe in the stands behind the goal for more noise to aid a comeback, however unlikely it appeared.
Metcalfe and Irankunda were also involved heavily, the latter proving a menace for the American defence, as he went toe-to-toe with Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards on more than one occasion.
The signs of life however came too little, too late, and proved to be ultimately too faint. A couple of decent shots saved well by American keeper Matt Freese and a Jason Geria effort blocked in a goalmouth scramble was as close as they came to a goal in the second half, even if the Australians enjoyed more of the ball and field position. The latter stages were hard to watch, as the game descended in a physical tit-for-tat with the result beyond doubt.
Fortunately for the Socceroos, the thumping is not fatal. Yes, they gave up a golden opportunity to book their place in the round of 32, but they remain well-placed to progress through Group D.
Those three points secured against Turkey will prove invaluable in their quest for a knockout berth, but they may now need to avoid defeat against Paraguay in San Francisco next week – depending on what happens later on Friday (Saturday AEST) in the group’s other match.
The first tiebreaker in the group stage is head-to-head, if points are level. So while the Socceroos can no longer catch the Americans, and are guaranteed to leave their home base of San Francisco if they do progress, they remain a likely qualifier in either second or third position. Unless they can drastically improve on this performance in Seattle, however, the Socceroos may not be in North America for much longer.
