Minutes from the Committee Meeting

June 19, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 45

Our Friday newsletter will run the morning of the USMNT matches for the rest of the World Cup. That means next week’s edition will come early on Thursday!

Agenda Items 📋:

• The USMNT’s defeat of Paraguay 4-1 was its most substantial World Cup victory of the modern era. Some have said it’s their best victory, ever.
• Why? The stakes of the first match at a home World Cup, combined with metrics that showed it to be one of the most comprehensive wins by anyone in the past few World Cups.
• One example? Second most successful box entries in the last three World Cups.
• Nearly everyone was a star on the day, from Malik Tillman’s excellent retention and progression in midfield, to Pulisic’s world class first half in 1v1’s. Folarin Balogun’s brace, the first for the USMNT in the modern era, took the most headlines.
• The off-the-field implications are huge, with over 25 million tuning in (for example, the Knicks vs. Spurs peaked at 20 million). Similar numbers for U.S. vs. Australia are expected.
• The lead up to US vs. Australia has been dominated by the transition from Chris Richards Watch to Christian Pulisic Watch.
• Pulisic was taken off at half versus Paraguay after being kicked in the calf, and has been training individually and cited as “day-to-day” by the USMNT staff. Could it be subterfuge? Yes, Pochettino is definitely the type of coach to play these games…
• …Either way, the USMNT will be favorites against Australia, but face a much more menacing foe than some suspected. Australia defeated Turkey 2-0, and set up the second match to likely be the group decider.
• Australia only maintained 30% possession, but defended resolutely and were killers on the counter. They’ll assuredly look to play the USMNT similarly, looking to unsettle the Americans with physical play, while being opportunistic on the counter.
• The U.S. defeated Australia 2-1 in October, 2025, in a match that allayed many fears about the U.S. 's mentality, as they successfully matched Australia’s physicality and aggressiveness.

Story of the Week:

The second match of the U.S.’s 2026 World Cup has taken on extra importance following Australia’s 2-0 victory against Turkey. Now, the USMNT can likely win the group with a victory, but would likely hand the group to Australia in defeat. 

Here are the three stories we’re watching:

Pulisic’s Replacement?: Yes, Pochettino is that guy who would play an advanced game of subterfuge to keep the Australians guessing about Pulisic’s availability. BUT, if the American star isn’t available, who will replace him?While Gio Reyna was the first attacking midfield sub, he plays a distinctly different role than Pulisic, and may not have the legs to go sixty minutes. A Reyna start would signal a shift in style, and perhaps one focused on breaking through early against the Socceroos.Perhaps the shift is the one we saw against Paraguay, with Seb Berhalter entering at half, and Tillman moving forward. Berhalter does provide the U.S. best deadball service, and more stout transition defending. However, that was with the U.S. up 3-0, and this would be a defensive move.

Our U.S. Soccerwise special explored Brenden Aaronson as the preferred choice, due to his continuous activity and the likelihood of drawing fouls and cards from overly-aggressive Australian defenders. Alejandro Zendejas would perhaps offer something similar, but with less activity and more flair.

Rest Defense: Australia will not have, nor will they want, much of the ball. They got their damage done against a Turkey side that was overzealous in their pursuit of a goal, and were able to easily transition through three-to-four passes and take advantage of Turkey’s nonchalant rest defense.

The U.S., namely the wingbacks, Alex Freeman, and Tyler Adams, will need to balance their aggressiveness in the attack and counter-press with their ability to stymie Australia in transition. If they are able to prevent them from getting out on the break, Australia’s opportunities will most likely be limited to set pieces (an area of danger, still).

Home Advantage: This was a callout for us last week, and even more this week. The U.S. did receive homefield support in L.A. in a way it rarely has in football stadiums across the U.S., but Seattle seems likely to be even stronger.

Not only will the Paraguay victory motivate fans, but Seattle has history as a soccer town more aligned with the USMNT. From the announcement of the U.S.’s match venues, this Seattle match has been circled as likely the most raucous crowd support the U.S. will receive.

Kickback's Daily Show and USMNT Previews and Reviews:

• 9:30 a.m., Every Day: Tune in to our daily show LIVE on @soccerwisehq or @firsttouch_ksm on YouTube (click for links). Listen on Soccerwise or Kickback ‘26 feeds afterwards if you’re on the go!
• Immediately after USMNT vs. Australia: Join us LIVE immediately after the USMNT patch on @soccerwisehq for an extended immediate reaction show featuring David Gass, Matt Doyle, and Michele Giannone!