USMNT Getting Ready for a stern Test against Australia

The second October Friendly, as the boys get ready for a fight, outback style

Commerce City, CO- The U.S. Men’s National Team is preparing for its next matchup in its October Window of International Friendly games, as it takes on Australia from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Mauricio Pochettino will have his roster ready to go, as the Aussies will be a difficult opponent no matter what type of match it is.

Australia is aggressive

Mauricio Pochettino studied their next opponent after their draw with Ecuador in Austin. He knows that Australia will be attacking every single minute they have the ball. On defense, they will muscle you off the ball. While there is no more Tim Cahill, this side will continue to show how strong a National Team they are.

“Australia, that is a very aggressive team, and they came from a very good run of games that have been in for a long time. I would say they beat Canada in Canada. I think we need to respect, and we really respect; they are going to be another good test like Ecuador for us.

It’s true that it’s going to be different. condition and a different maybe way that we are going to approach the game, but I think they are in a different process than us, and I think we are in that process that we need progression. We need to build a team, and they are more solid in their ideas, and I don’t believe that they are going to change in the way that they are going to play.

They are going, I think, to keep the same shape and the way they were playing also in the last year. And I think it’s yes, but it’s a very good test to play against a very good, solid team. But yes, we want to, and we want to have this flexibility with different players and different sometimes shape or dynamics. On the field, provide the team with better quality, and yes, it’s a great opportunity. Tomorrow, I am happy to face a team like Australia,” said Pochettino.

Christian Pulisic looks o.k. after ankle issue

Christian Pulisic suffered an ankle injury during his season in Serie A with AC Milan. He came on as a substitute in the match against Ecuador and looked really good for those 20 minutes that he was used for. Hopefully, he can get more minutes off the bench before heading back to Italy.

“Christian participated in the whole training session. I think the reaction after the 20 minutes of playing I think was good. His ankle, I think, reacted very well. And yes, I hope that tomorrow he can be available. We need to wait. Today, the reaction too, but I think it’s much better than when he arrived.”

Balogun makes Pochettino happy

Folarin Balogun is a determined goalscorer. While he was recovering from an injury during his time at Monaco in French Ligue Un, he was missing time for the National Team. As the starter against Ecuador, he was relentless on the attack. He did score the equalizing goal to get the draw, but so far, Pochettino is a happy man with his performance.

“Well, what I like the most is that he’s scoring; he scores. It’s what I like the most in a striker. And then he’s, I think, his work ethic, you know, available always, is to drop and to play and to connect. It’s a total mess. Yes, I see too many things about the game that not only score, that is what I like the most, but also is how the capacity to link with the team as a player can drop and play. And, as you said, with our offensive players and midfielders, I’ve seen them going to the space, running, having a little bit of everything. I like that it is a washing machine.”

Cristian Roldan is impressing Pochettino

Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan has impressed Pochettino with his work ethic and how he is rallying the players during training and in the matches. His confidence shows why he’s been such an important player for the Sounders and now for the National Team. This is a player Pochettino should bring to the National Team next summer.

“Christian is a very aggressive player on the pitch; he is very contagious in his capacity to motivate, to animate, to talk, to communicate. That is a good thing inside the pitch, to have a player like him. And then, off the field, in a similar way, he is always positive, he is always smiling, and he is always energetic. always is positive in every single thing, and that is really important.

All these types of things are very important not only on the pitch but off the field because I think to keep that mentality, that type of idea how we want to live together outside, I think it’s important. He’s an important player on the field, of course, who needs to be, because if not, that is the first reference that we take. But I think he is helping a lot outside because he is a very energetic and happy guy, and that is contagious, good energy.”

Weston McKennie has played in many positions in the midfield

Weston McKennie has been put in multiple positions, getting into positive play on offense or defense. He’s an important player for the National Team with and without the ball. An advantage that Pochettino needs to be aware of, so the positive results return before this upcoming summer.

“What I want from the player is not to notice. the player that are in the campus is being part of the of the group and follow the rules being positive and help in every single position they will be to the team it’s difficult to say which is his best position because he’s a player when he’s on the pitch he’s a player that need some freedom no to perform

It’s not a player, you say okay you put you stay here and don’t move because he’s his natural profile he’s about to to try to be very close to the ball no in every single aspect when we are reading from back when we are on the side when we are in the left turn he want to score and I want to help.

It’s a little bit of a player that needs that freedom, that is why when we were talking before, I explained that the setup, but also the profile of the player that is going to be around it must be difficult because in the last few years I’ve seen he’s playing in different positions.

I think he’s a player that is on the pitch you need to accept that you need to give some freedom and sometimes can create this chaos no that this is good for the for the team because sometimes you don’t give to the opponent and you are not predictable you know you are unpredictable and that is good in the same time is is about also to learn when we don’t have the ball that you need to be very organized and you need to respect this type of thing.”

This will be a tough test for the U.S. Men’s National Team; Australia will give them a game in the altitude of Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

USMNT News:

• USMNT Draws Ecuador in a Strong Performance
• USMNT Rebounds to Defeat Japan in Columbus
• Son Heung-Min Leads South Korea to Commanding 2-0 Victory Over USMNT

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