With Christian Pulisic sidelined due to a calf injury, head coach Mauricio Pochettino faced a significant decision ahead of Friday’s match against Australia. The absence of the United States’ key player posed a challenge, as there is no direct substitute for his unique skills.
Australia entered the match determined to build on their earlier victory against Turkey, aiming for a strong showing against the co-hosts of the tournament. Mirroring their defensive structure from their previous friendly encounter in October, the Socceroos deployed a low defensive block featuring five defenders and a zonal marking strategy. This setup has proven effective against teams that typically utilize a single striker, a tendency the US has maintained throughout much of the 21st century.
When the lineups were revealed, the US made just one adjustment from their dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay, replacing Pulisic with Ricardo Pepi, who partnered with Folarin Balogun in the attack. This tactical choice seemed risky, as it reduced their usual midfield presence, but it quickly paid off, with the US securing a 2-0 lead by halftime.
“I feel like it opens up some spaces, of course, but you know it’s always good to be able to have two strikers,” Pepi remarked following his inaugural World Cup start. “If the defenders are marking me, then the other [striker] is always free. So it’s a good thing that we were able to play like this, and it just shows what the team has.”
The team’s cohesion, developed through years of playing together at various levels, was evident. After several weeks of training together, the US demonstrated improved movement patterns, effectively challenging even the most robust defensive setups.
The US capitalized on their first significant chance against the Socceroos, resulting in an own goal, marking the second consecutive match in which they had forced an early defensive error.
In the 11th minute, after probing Australia’s defense from various angles, Antonee Robinson received a pass from Tim Ream, a frequent occurrence throughout his career. Typically, when Pochettino’s squad employs two attacking midfielders, Robinson looks to the midfield for support; however, this time he made a decisive move forward.
Against Paraguay, similar plays kept the opposition off balance, allowing the US to execute intricate attacking sequences. The introduction of a second striker made direct attacks more viable, as they were able to push forward with ample backup.
Robinson tested Australia’s defensive capabilities with a well-placed ball down the line, having drawn wing-back Jacob Italiano too far forward to mitigate the threat. Balogun recognized the opportunity and made a run to exploit the space.
The US had a comparable sequence in a recent friendly against Senegal, where Sergiño Dest provided a crossing option for Pulisic after Pepi had moved deeper to assist with the buildup. On this occasion, with all three Australian center-backs positioned at the edge of their defensive third, the US enjoyed a pace advantage as their midfielders and wing-backs surged forward.
“I mean, credit to [Balogun],” Robinson commented after the match. “I could see that he was looking to run the space in behind, so I just kind of played it down the channel for him, and then he’s done a lot of work to get towards the goal and create a chance.”
Although Balogun has rarely played as a winger, he confidently seized the available space, staying ahead of Alessandro Circati.
Pepi continued to fulfill his role as a center forward, advancing through the middle. Given Balogun’s impressive performance against Paraguay, Australia would have been foolish to overlook Pepi, who netted 16 goals in 26 league appearances for PSV last season. As Balogun maneuvered past Circati, he found himself with limited space but presented ideal options in the box.
Cameron Burgess managed to position himself between Balogun and his teammates, attempting to deflect the ball out for a corner. However, under pressure, Burgess inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net, acknowledging Balogun’s efforts.
This tactical gamble quickly yielded results. Australia’s defenders struggled to maintain their composure from the outset, unable to effectively contain Balogun due to their occupied center-backs.
“I want to create opportunities, and it might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it’s like a goal as well.” Balogun stated after the victory. “Whether it’s coming to feet, running off the ball, we’re all trying to create options for each other,”
Pepi’s positioning in the box also proved crucial for the second goal. As Robinson prepared for a free-kick at the end of the first half, Australia had to contend with the threat posed by three US center-backs and two strikers, including Pepi, who were prime targets for set pieces. Dest lingered at the edge of the area, drawing defenders to him as Robinson took the free-kick. This distraction left Alex Freeman unmarked, allowing him to capitalize on a deflected shot from Dest.
In the second half, the US found it significantly easier to manage the game. Australia had committed to a defensive strategy, seeking to secure a goal as they had against Turkey. Despite making three substitutions at halftime, the changes failed to enhance their attacking threat. Pepi continued to fulfill his responsibilities, effectively occupying defenders and finding space, showcasing his value as a substitute for Pulisic, despite differing roles.
For Pepi, who was notably excluded from the last World Cup roster, this memorable debut should pave the way for increased playing time in the future. Regardless of who is on the field, this group exudes confidence in their ability to adapt and maintain control of the game.
“It feels fluid. Everyone feels like they’re linking up really well, and hopefully we keep going with it.” Robinson noted. “It feels fluid. Everyone feels like they’re linking up really well, and hopefully we keep going with it.”
