The United States is back in action on Friday at the against Australia, exactly one week after a that sent expectations for the squad soaring.
Meanwhile, Brazil gets a second chance to look like one of the favorites against Haiti.
It remains to be seen how much help the Americans will get from star forward in front of what’s expected to be an electric crowd in Seattle. Pulisic has a sore left calf and from the team.
Brazil will try to improve against Morocco last week. The Brazilians are five-time World Cup champions, but haven’t won a title since 2002.
Also on Friday, Scotland faces Morocco and Turkey takes on Paraguay.
What to watch on June 19
鈥� United States vs. Australia, 3 p.m. EDT in Seattle (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
鈥� Scotland vs. Morocco, 6 p.m. EDT in Foxborough, Massachusetts (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
鈥� Brazil vs. Haiti, 8:30 p.m. EDT in Philadelphia (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
鈥� Turkey vs. Paraguay, 11 p.m. EDT in Santa Clara, California (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)
U.S. tries for encore performance against talented Australia
The Americans are looking for a suitable encore after one of the country’s best performances on a World Cup stage. Folarin Balogun scored two goals while Gio Reyna added another in a 4-1 win over Paraguay that exceeded most fans’ expectations.
Pulisic was often the catalyst while the U.S. scored three goals in the first half, but he came off at halftime after feeling stiffness from a calf injury incurred in training. The Milan winger joined his U.S. teammates for a pre-warmup huddle Thursday while wearing a compression sleeve on his calf, then went inside to do
Midfielder said he did not know much about Pulisic鈥檚 recovery, but that he hopes he will be able to play.
鈥淚 know he really wants to be in, and he鈥檚 doing everything that he can, and the staff is doing everything that they can as well,鈥� McKennie said. 鈥淏ut, that鈥檚 also another question that鈥檚 better to ask him than me.鈥�
Australia also has momentum after its Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored for the Socceroos, who are playing in their sixth straight World Cup and seventh overall.
Morocco favored against Scotland
Morocco has been an ascending soccer power, particularly after a run to the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup. The team has improved so much that its 1-1 draw against powerhouse Brazil was a slight disappointment.
鈥淲e didn鈥檛 come to the U.S. to just play against Brazil,鈥� Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi said. 鈥淲e came in to go even farther than we did in Qatar in 2022.鈥�
Scotland has put itself in good position to advance to the knockout round for the first time in its opener, but Morocco should be a considerably tougher opponent.
鈥淎gainst difficult opponents we have to be very good,” Scotland coach Steve Clarke said. “We鈥檙e a little more comfortable as underdogs. … Sometimes Scotland prefers it that way.鈥�
Brazil works to rebound vs. Haiti
The Brazilians were outplayed early before helped them rally for a draw against Morocco. Coach Carlo Ancelotti said through an interpreter that the team was 鈥渁 bit anxious at the beginning. Nerves were all over the place.鈥�
Brazil should have a big talent advantage over Haiti, even because of a calf injury. The Brazilians will be under pressure to secure a lopsided win after the uninspiring performance against Morocco.
For many Haitian fans, in a country that has long had a soft spot for Brazil’s soccer team.
Turkey, Paraguay both need wins
Turkey and Paraguay are both in need of a win as they try to escape the Group D basement.
Not surprisingly, with the team’s lopsided loss to the United States. Mauricio scored Paraguay’s lone goal against the Americans and the team hopes he’ll be able to deliver again.
Turkey is in the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. The team maintained 72% of possession against Australia and outshot the Socceroos 30-9, but couldn鈥檛 manage to score.
More World Cup news
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Stats of the day
鈥� All five goals in Thursday’s were scored in the 74th minute or after.
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AP Sports Writers Kyle Hightower and Andrew Destin contributed to this report.
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