Tactical Preview: USMNT's job is to break down a low block
The USMNT put themselves in the driver's seat with a brilliant win vs. Paraguay. Can they replicate it against a better Australian side?
The math is simple: Win and you're through.
The USMNT put up a four-spot on Paraguay in their opener, looking like the Platonic ideal of what this group of players should be, and now gets the chance to make an appearance in the round of 32 a fait accompli before the group stage is halfway done. Australia stands in the way – and they're a real test. This is not a formality.
The Socceroos held 29 percent possession against Turkey, got outshot 30-9, and unquestionably deserved the three points they came out with. They are very obviously a team that knows what it is, with their low block, clear defensive shape (five at the back), and enough quality on the counter through Nestory Irankunda to punish you for getting sloppy, or even just mildly negligent. They're not going to press. They're going to sit and make Mauricio Pochettino's side solve them.
The US are theoretically built to do exactly that. That's the whole reason the rest defense is so well-drilled, and as for the talent... just ask Paraguay.
Good teams do it once. Great teams do it again. Which is the US?
