Pulisic trains alone as Australia eye knockout spot in Seattle

Seattle decides the group

Your team can seal a knockout spot on Friday. Australia face the US in Seattle, and a win or draw in this second Group D match could send the Socceroos through (1) (2). The Americans know what is coming after that Turkey result. Popovic's side just knocked over a team that had 78% of the ball and 30 shots. Nobody is sleeping on Australia now.

The US backline is fast but beatable. Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest love to push high, and the spaces behind them are real. Folarin Balogun is the danger up front, sharp in the box and confident after a strong club season (1). But your team has already shown they can absorb pressure and strike.

Pulisic's calf, two days alone

Christian Pulisic trained alone for a second straight day with a calf issue (4). He is the USMNT's most dangerous attacker, the one who unlocks defences when nothing else works. If he misses out or is limited, the American attack loses its sharpest edge. The US camp has not ruled him out yet, but two days of individual work four days before kickoff is not nothing.

Weah shrugs off the noise

Tim Weah is not biting. US pundits have been taking shots at the Socceroos ahead of Friday, and Weah waved it off: "All this talk is just nonsense to me" (3). He did add it will be "a lovely game," which reads like a man who knows the film sessions have been serious this week. The US are saying the right things publicly. Your team already did the talking on the pitch against Turkey.