USMNT, Mauricio Pochettino and Australia
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The USMNT fought its way back from a goal down for the second time this international break, only this time Mauricio Pochettino's side was rewarded with a 2-1 victory over Australia on Tuesday.
Haji Wright scores twice, and Cristian Roldan provides a pair of assists in the United States’ 2-1 win over Australia.
The USMNT is undefeated after playing three teams that will play in the 2026 World Cup. The USMNT defeated Japan, drew against Ecuador, and defeated Australia. Pochettino's team will play two more friendlies before the end of the year to continue their World Cup preparations.
The U.S. men’s national team defeated Australia to close the October international window thanks to two goals from Coventry City striker Haji Wright.
The breakthrough came again from the connection between Roldan and Wright. Roldan took a quick freekick and put in a long ball for Wright to chase into the box. Wright did so, cut inside to lose his defender, and then calmly buried his shot into the net for his second goal of the night to give the USA a 2-1 lead.
In the first half, a Roldan shot from distance had Aussie keeper Mathew Ryan beat, but went just wide. A few minutes later, a corner fell to him in the box, and he narrowly missed a curling shot seemingly bound for the top right corner.
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