The United States sent a statement in its opening match at the 2026 World Cup.
The Yanks were quick, fluid, and clinical in front of goal, pasting Paraguay, 4-1, in what was their most complete win ever at a World Cup.
The victory put the Americans in a terrific position to win Group D. The bookies at FanDuel Sportsbook have tagged them with a -210 price tag, and they’re -165 to take all three points against Australia on Friday afternoon in Seattle.
World Cup: USA vs. Australia odds, prediction
There was never a question about the talent in the American ranks, but rather whether Mauricio Pochettino could find the right balance. He did just that against Paraguay. The Americans spread La Albirroja with Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, and Antonee Robinson, while Folarin Balogun provided the threat up top.
The Americans were aggressive and decisive, and never let Paraguay really settle into the match.
Australia won’t look too different from Paraguay, at least in terms of setup.
The Socceroos bring more talent to this World Cup than they have in recent years, but the approach is still the same. Australia will be relentless and committed on defense, but they’ll be on the lookout for counter opportunities all day long.
And as Turkey learned last week, the Aussies have got a real threat in transition with Nestory Irankunda.
Irankunda is quick and has a bag full of tricks, and he adds a different element to Tony Popovic’s side. The Australians still have their trademark size and ruggedness, but they’ve now got a talisman with Irankunda.
That said, the USMNT should be much better prepared for Australia’s quick-strike attack than Turkey was on Matchday 1. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie were masterful in snuffing out any potential danger against Paraguay, and they both bring elite engines and soccer IQ with them to the middle of the pitch.
The other important difference between the Americans and Turkey is that the Yanks can be diverse in attack. If you’re predictable against a team like Australia, they will sit deep and do everything they can to shut down your Plan A. That frustrated Turkey, which then resorted to attempting low-quality shots from outside the box all night.
The Americans, if they’re on song, can beat you on the flanks with Pulisic, Dest, and Robinson, but they’ve also got a real threat in front of goal with Balogun.
It will be a lot tougher for the Aussies to stay compact against the Yanks.
Bet on another statement from the Stars & Stripes in Seattle.
The Play: Team USA -1.5 goals (+142, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.