Hadji Wright Brace Leads USMNT Past Australia Despite Pulisic Injury

Commerce City, CO – For the first time under Mauricio Pochettino, the United States Men’s National Team has won a game after conceding first. Tuesday night, they hosted Australia at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. It was their first match at The Richard since World Cup Qualifying in 2017. Chris Sharpe’s Socceroos were a tough out but the Yanks made progress on their way to a feel-good result.

It was another lineup from Poch that will have people talking. Cristian Pulisic was able to start and captain the side despite a recent ankle injury. He was in the 10 role next to Weston McKennie. Matt Freese was in goal, signaling he is Poch’s #1 right now. It was a back three with Chris Richards next to Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie. Cristian Roldan was in midfield next to James Sands. Haji Wright was up top with Florian Balogun on the bench.

The big name for the Socceroos was Martin Boyde who started in the front three.

The first 20 minutes felt very Gregg Berhalter. The Yanks had most of the ball but couldn’t create space or chances. The Australian scored against the run of play. Jordan Bos got on the ball inside the box. He chested the ball down. Roldan fell trying to clear it and Bos beat Freese.

The USMNT woke up after that. Pulisic got more direct but then his night took a frustrating and familiar turn. He was fouled for the first yellow card of the game in the 26th and eventually subbed out for Diego Luna. Luna got a standing ovation despite being an RSL player. Pulisic left for the locker room with the USA scoring before he got inside. Richards played Roldan forward who threaded the ball between defenders to Wright. Wright shot first time with the outside of his right foot, finding the top near corner.

The match got chippy before half time. Sands sustained a hard tackle with no foul called. Play was stopped and the teams came together for some words and shoving. Sands returned to the field and immediately won the ball at the top of the defensive box. He got forward and was fouled from behind. The USMNT players and fans reacted with frustration, seeing it as retaliation. The half ended 1-1.

The second half was back and forth chances wide, but generally one the USMNT controlled. Aiden O’Neill had an open chance in the first minute that was blocked.

The US won a defensive free kick near the sideline in the 51st. Roldan took it quickly, hoofing the ball up field to Wright in stride. The center forward cut inside and shot left foot into the far bottom corner. That made it 2-1.

Poch made a triple sub in the 64th and another in the 76th. Brendan Aaronson combined well with Luna, finding him for shot attempts on two plays. The second, in the 79th was almost a goal between the legs on Matthew Ryan. Aiden Morris should have made it three in stoppage time but he shot wide.

There was another chippy moment in the final minutes where Alex Freeman and goalscorer Bos clashed heads. Both players stayed in the match. The game ended 2-1. It was the first time in eight occasions that the USMNT had conceded first and cameback to win the game.

Wright and Roldan Shine!

This game was a statement for Wright and Roldan. Two goals for Wright, both in transition. After Balogun’s play against Ecuador, he’s given Poch something to think about. They have different skillsets, which is a good thing.

“I have to continue to perform. I’m going to try and build off that,” Wright said with the subtlest smirk. “I saw (Roldan) look at me. I picked up on me. As the ball bounced, I noticed there’s nobody around me. I knew I had to create the chance myself,” he said of the second goal.

“I’m yelling Haji, I’m making eye contact. I’m telling Alex to leave the ball. We were on the same page. Thankfully he puts it in the back of the net,” Roldan added.

Roldan might get hate from the USMNT bros for being an MLS lifer but he cooked in this game. Veteran presence. Really savvy on the second goal. He provided offense and was box-to-box presence. Similar to how he plays with Seattle Sounders. A bit unlucky on goal conceded, so there’s that.

“He’s what we need. A player with confidence. A little bit of arrogance. If you want to build your perfect player, he has a little bit of everything,” Poch said, complimenting Roldan.

“I’m riding the wave. I’ve had such a great second half of the year. It’s been great to enjoy the moment. I’m continuing in that way and not being satisfied. I know I can reach another level,” Roldan said.

Player Stock: Freese and Sands

After the Gold Cup and starts in both games this window, Matt Freese has to be seen as the starting keeper right now. One would think Matt Turner would have gotten a start in one of these games. Zack Steffen not called up for a game in his club stadium. Freese wasn’t at fault on the goal. Made some good saves and he’s organized the three center backs who are still a work in progress.

“We try to provide game time to the player in the right moment. In the future (the other goalkeepers), they are in our radar. Maybe we’ll see next month if we can provide another goalkeeper the opportunity to play, test him,” Poch said of the goalkeeper competition.

“To have the confidence from (Poch) and just get a rhythm of games is super important for a goalkeeper. I’ve been able to be more comfortable and play like myself. That’s when I’m at my best. It’s important to keep building on it,” said Freese.

Sands did well alongside Roldan. He embraced the physicality that the match brought. Covered ground defensively. He didn’t do much on the ball but he provided cover for the center backs. Take away the goal, they dealt with Australia’s transition well.

Pulisic Injury Underlies Victory:

“He felt something in his hamstring. Tomorrow he will fly to Italy. Tonight we will assess,” Poch said of Pulisic.

It’s a frustrating aspect of this national team. Several key players have a bad track record with injuries. Rarely is everybody healthy at the same time. It was good to see the team respond and attack well without their talisman. Body language from the AC Milan player wasn’t great, if we’re readying between the lines.

Still Building Chemistry:

This is a team that’s got talent but is clearly still feeling things out. You can tell the players who started in the Gold Cup. They made progress through this game. Chris Richards led the way in possession and physically. Australia’s no knockout favorite but the US dealt with those counter attacks better.

Two goals in transition was nice given how much trouble they’ve had with a low block. There’s still moments where they’re not on the same page. A misplaced pass. Two guys run into the same space, getting in each other’s way. Still, the back three was more comfortable.

“We have very strong center backs, so the group feels comfortable. That’s how I play at my club, a midfielder in front of three center backs. It’s worked well for the most part,” Sands said of the 3-4-3/

They created without Pulisic or Balogun. Tim Weah was quiet as well. They’re running out of time but it’s better than last month for sure.

“We have full faith in the process that we’re doing. That process has showed this camp. We’re fully bought in,” Freese told Burgundy Wave.

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