Haji Wright Brace Leads USMNT to Victory Over Australia
Matt Turner appears to have lost his spot
The United States Men’s National Team defeated Australia in a friendly match in Colorado but one things is clear for New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, he isn’t the top shot-stopper in Mauricio Pochettino’s eyes.
Matt Freese once again started in net behind the three-man backline of Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Mark McKenzie. Alex Freeman and Tim Weah served as the wing-backs with Cristian Roldan and James Sands in the midfield. Christian Pulisic, Haji Wright, and Weston McKennie were the forward trio.
The first half was largely difficult to watch. Both sides struggled to create anything in the attack in the first 15 minutes.
But that changed in the 19th minute when on the first shot of the game, the Socceroos found the back of the net. It was a complete defensive failure from the U.S. that saw Jordan Bos find the back of the net.
The entire backline failed to properly defend a corner, and Bos was able to get in on goal. Then the likes of Richards and Robinson became passengers and Freese was unable to stop the shot.
The United States responded with Pulisic frequently on the ball and looking to create chances. Unfortunately, the A.C. Milan man could not do it all on his own and was unable to get the United States level before halftime. Tim Weah tested Australian goalkeeper Matt Ryan with the best chance for the USA in the 30th minute.
Pulisic had to be taken off the field before the end of the first half after being on the receiving end of two forceful tackles from Jason Geria. He was replaced by Diego Luna in the 30th minute.
Soon after, the U.S. drew level. Roldan found a streaking Wright who poked his shot into the back of the net in the 33rd minute. It was the striker’s sixth goal of his international career.
The MLS midfielder nearly added a goal of his own with a curling effort in the 35th minute but the shot was just wide of the net. After a dreadful start to the match, the United States had life again.
Prior to the end of the half, Aiden O’Neill attracted the ire of USMNT players due to a heavy challenge on James Sands.
The second half got off to a much more fast paced start with Australia turning up the pressure. But the United States would find the lead thanks to Wright once again. The striker caught Australia napping off a dead ball and was able to get his defender off balance before carefully placing his shot past Ryan in the 51st minute.
In the 64th minute, Pochettino made three changes as Brenden Aaronsen, Folarin Balogun, and Tanner Tessmann replaced Wright, Sands, and Weah. It was an intriguing sub that saw Aaronsen play wing-back.
Then in the 76th minute, McKennie and Roldan were replaced by Aidan Morris and Max Arfsten. Roldan’s night ended with two assists in a spectacular performance.
Matt Freese was called into action in the 89th minute, making a point-blank save to maintain the United States’ lead. The 2-1 win was a strong one with Australia clocking in at 25th in FIFA’s rankings.
The match was also a statement from Wright who will have proven he can potentially be the striker that the USMNT needs. His two goals displayed his knack for finding the back of the net that has been missing from the stars and stripes for quite some time.
But for Turner, his window to be the USMNT No. 1 appears to be closing. With no opprtunities to prove himself this window, it is clear that Pochettino prefers Freese.