Australia coach Tony Popovic dropped each goalscorers, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, from the Socceroos’ 2-0 win over Türkiye and introduced them on at half-time to attempt to flip the tide.
Australia improved however hardly ever appeared like getting again into the match in a second half which grew to become more and more fractious and lacked high quality.
“I do not know if it was the event, however we appeared sluggish, heavy-legged,” Popovic mentioned.
“I believe the gamers confirmed how good they’re within the second half, however clearly at this stage you’ll be able to’t give away that a lot within the first.”
The US moved onto six factors and into the final 32 earlier than their final sport towards Türkiye subsequent Thursday in Los Angeles, when coach Mauricio Pochettino hopes to have Pulisic obtainable.
“But when we need to win the competitors, we want the entire workforce. And all of the gamers must be vital,” he mentioned.
The US will high Group D if Türkiye don’t beat Paraguay afterward Friday. Australia stay second on three factors and subsequent face Paraguay in San Francisco.
