Australia’s FIFA World Cup campaign continues against United States at Lumen Field amid Mike Grella criticism

Once again, Tony Popovic faced a few big surprises in the election. And they don’t include Maty Ryan or Jackson Irvine, who remain on the bench, meaning Patrick Beach and Paul Okon Jr (or Paul Okon-Engstler) retain their places.

Surprises are at the forefront. The two players who scored against Türkiye, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, are on the bench. He is replaced by Mathew Leckie, one of Popovic’s former favorites at Melbourne Victory, and Nishan Velupillay in the starting line-up.

Velupillay hasn’t had the best season in the A-League but has delivered every time he has been called up to the Socceroos. This will be his ninth cap.

I predict that Irankunda will step in in the second half and aim to punish the USA’s tiring leg.

United States: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi; Folarin Balogun

Australia: Patrick Beach; Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos; Mathew Leckie, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Nishan Velupillay; Muhammed Ture