Join us at Budd Dairy Food Hall to watch Team USA today
Timothy is here to frighten USMNT fans, plus: Conversations with Max Arfsten and Gregg Berhalter in the lead-up to today's watch party/Disevent
The Disrespected and Budd Dairy Food Hall are teaming up for a World Cup event/watch party today, Friday, June 19, when the U.S. Men's National Team plays Australia. It's a 3 p.m. kickoff. The Crewcible podcast will be on-site, recording with special guests, beginning at 2 p.m. Budd Dairy -- located at 1086 N. 4th St. -- also has some things cooking. Come on down. We will rock.
As you might have guessed from all the promotional materials we've been trotting out, we here at Disrespected Media are fired up for this afternoon's USMNT-Australia game. Team USA is coming off an impressive, 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their first group-stage game; one can argue that Australia's 2-0 victory over Turkiye was equally impressive. The winner of today's game will punch a ticket to the round of 32; the loser will have to win its third and final game of the group and/or get some help. The stakes are massive.
Timothy Arace, The Disrespected's Executive Producer and First Team Video Coach Analyst, is here to strike fear into the hearts of American suppporters. This is what Tim calls a "match preview." Here it is:
5 reasons why Australia can cause the U.S. headaches
1 - Electric pace on the counter
If you were one of the few sickos who stayed up until 2 a.m. eastern to watch the Socceroos defeat Turkiye 2-0 in their opening match, your first reaction might well be “wow No. 17 is fast.” Indeed, 20-year-old winger Nestory Irankunda, plying his trade for Watford in the English 2nd tier, is an absolute blur, and he’s emblematic of Australia’s calling card: speed in transition. Australia operate in a very defensive 5-4-1 out of possession, but when they win the ball or even start play from a dead ball or goal kick, they can blitz any team with simple direct balls over the top to Irankunda or striker Mohamed Toure. This is evident on the Aussies first goal where Irankunda, operating as a wide midfielder in the midfield 4, springs up in transition to operate as a 2nd striker alongside Toure and torments the Turkish defense with an incredible bit of skill.
https://youtu.be/ZQl7828ufwQ?si=7059QKGf5jmlUzq5
(Video is FIFA-protected. Hover over link or copy/paste into your search/browser.)
What could be frightening for the U.S. is the prospect of aging center back Tim Ream dealing with this level of pace and power, and it gives the Aussies way more attacking punch than you might suspect.
2 - An organized and disciplined defense
Australia managed just 28% possession against a Turkish side that oozes quality. The Turkish midfield of Ismail Yuksek, Hakan Calhanoglu, Orkun Kokcu, and Arda Guler so thoroughly controlled the match that those four completed more passes (244) than the whole Australian team combined (201). Despite this, Turkiye managed a relatively meager 1.36 xG. Why? The Aussie backline dominated. The trio of trees in central defense, Alessandro Circatti, Harry Soutar, and Graham Burgess, have an average height of 6’4 and did not let the Turks have anything in the box, winning 70% (14/20) of their grounded and aerial duels combined. The 6’6 monster Soutar, who plays for now relegated Leicester City, had a game high 17 defensive contributions and 21 clearances. The whole backline, with right back Jacob Italiano and left back Jordan Bos included, were only dribbled past twice while facing one of the best dribblers in the world in Kenan Yildiz. Christian Pulisic was ripping through Paraguayan double teams for fun in Inglewood, but this Aussie defence could prove tricky.
3 - Jordan Bos is a beast
For my money, the best player on the Socceroos is their left back. Jordan Bos, 23, plays his club ball for Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie and was primed for a breakout this cycle. His opening match was relatively quiet, only garnering 23 touches in total, but he flashed his quality when he got the chance. Bos is quick and powerful, averaging nearly 2 completed dribbles per match in the Netherlands, while winning 56.3% of ground duels and 62.4% of his aerial duels and providing plenty of juice in the attacking third. He had double-digit goal contributions (4 goals, 7 assists) for Feyenoord while playing at left back, and ranked in the 90th percentile for touches in the opposition box. He also oozes quality on the ball, seamlessly inverting into midfield when asked. He produced a highlight reminiscent of prime Philipp Lahm when he dropped Turkish striker Kerem Akturkoglu.
Bos is a handful. Whether he’s bombing on past his winger, overloading the left flank, or controlling the ball from deep, he will cause the U.S. problems if he can assert himself in possession.
4 - An unexpected star in net
The main headline heading into the match was the shock decision by Australia boss Tony Popovic to drop keeper Matty Ryan. The Socceroos No. 1 had been capped 104 times for his country and a lengthy European resume. Instead, Popovic gave the keys to 22-year-old Patrick Beach of Melbourne United. Beach rewarded his manager’s trust with a brilliant performance, recording 8 saves, including denying center back Abdulkerim Bardakci from range with a gorgeous finger tip save.
Beach saved 1.36 xG worth of chances en route to securing the clean sheet for the Socceroos, and if he’s at his heroic best, it could be a frustrating night for American attackers.
5 - They’re pissed off and motivated
The Socceroos will come into this match with plenty of motivation and will be incredibly comfortable in the underdog role. Ahead of their opening match, Turkish captain Hakan Calhanoglu talked down to the Socceroos, proclaiming that the Turks were not only more talented but would “dominate” the match, comments that he would double down on after the defeat.
Harrison Reid
The Aussies have been building motivation for months for this match against the Americans. Following the draw in December, CBS Sports analyst and former NY Red Bulls player Mike Grella referred to the Australians as a “layup” matchup for the USMNT.
Manny Soloway
Needless to say, the Socceroos will come out with plenty to prove and have shown they can shut up the haters.
--Timothy Arace, DM EP/FTVCA
A Q&A with USMNT D/W Max Arfsten of the Columbus Crew
Arfsten did a quick Zoom with the local media (here, and in his native California) earlier this week. Here is a truncated version (the Cali-centric stuff is excised), edited for space and clarity:
Q: Congratulations on the win the other night against Paraguay. You must be very excited.
MA: Yeah, I am very excited. It was a very good way to start the tournament off, and, yeah, the energy, and so far, it has been electric, and obviously something I'll never forget. And, yeah, the energy is really good here, and I think we're all excited, including myself, for the next game on Friday.
Q: Not to dwell too much on that last game, but you played in that stadium about 14 months ago (for a CONCACAF Nations League games in March, 2025) and had the opportunity to enter that stadium under very different circumstances over the weekend. What was the personal reaction to the crowd and the vibe in the building?
MA: Yeah, it was a lot. I mean... I feel like when I'm very in the moment, I don't really think about it, but then after you have a chance to reflect and you understand, like, how just awesome and amazing it was. Obviously, it was packed, it was loud – like, really loud – every time we scored, And, at the end of the day, it's a World Cup, so everything is going to be magnified. You feel it. But more than anything, I'm just happy that we won, and kind of started it off with a bang, and, you know, have all the USA fans excited. I think that's very important for our energy and mentality, like, going through this tournament.
Q: There has been a lot of positive talk about the USA's performance in that game against Paraguay. How do you keep things in perspective as you prepare for the matchup against Australia?
MA: I think, obviously, it's good. Everyone's talking good things about us, but it's only one game, and there are two more games, and we want to top the group, and I was saying this before: I think we have a massive point to prove. The mentality of this group and the energy, ever since I got here, May 26th, has just been, like ... everyone's hungry. I think the coaching staff does a good job of making training very intense, very much like everyone has an opportunity to show what they can do, you know, and try and grab the opportunity. It was a good win, but you can't get too high, and you can't get too low, and we have a job to do, and, yeah, we're looking forward to Australia, 'cause, I mean, they just won, so we have to try and show what we can do against them.
Q: Have you had the opportunity to connect with Steven Moreira after his performance (with Cape Verde) against Spain yesterday?
MA: Yes, I was watching the first half, but then I had to go to training. I sent him a picture of me watching the game. And I texted him, obviously, after, like, 'well done,' because that's an unbelievable result for himself and his country. And yeah, I'm super happy for him. Like, it was, it was really cool and, like, a crazy moment to see him on that stage, playing against Spain, who, I mean, arguably, can win the tournament. And, yeah, I just told him I'm really happy for him, and it was cool to see him play, and he wished me luck in my next games as well, so we're keeping in touch. Until we play them, I'm happy for him.
Q: You obviously haven't made your official World Cup debut yet. You were on the bench for that first game. What's the anticipation like in just this moment of waiting for that moment where you get to step onto the field, during the World Cup with that jersey?
MA: Yeah, I mean, I want to play. I'm here, I'm training every day with these guys, and I believe I can play. So, yeah, there's definitely anticipation, of course, just because it's the biggest tournament in the world. I've worked my whole life to get here, so now that I'm here, I want to play, of course. But at the same time, I try to understand that this is Team USA, it's much bigger than just me and my aspirations. I'm in a place now where I want to play, I'm going to do everything I can to play, but I'm going to do whatever the team needs for me to contribute. And at the end of the day, if we keep winning, then I can't really complain. But to answer the question, I'm definitely ready to go, and, yeah, I'm excited for whenever the opportunity comes.
Q: What have those training sessions been like, and how have they been different than what you're used to just being with the national team on the regular call-up basis?
MA: I would just say the intensity level is much higher. I mean, whether it's intentional or not, I think everyone naturally has just kind of raised their intensity and training and just, like, aggressiveness. That's just what I've noticed, really – I think everything is just 110% in training. And I think it's why we're playing well or why we played well in the first game. Training's been pretty demanding, and I think it has translated onto the field. In a good way, of course.
Q: It has been mentioned that you've been in that field before, but did it feel different walking in before the World Cup? And how different was it compared to any other time you've been in that stadium?
MA: No, it was definitely different. I mean, just, how loud it gets whenever we walked on the field or when we scored. Also, like, the people who were there – there were a lot of big names there. Celebrities and stuff. Everything about it. The thing that I keep thinking of is, like, whenever we would score, I mean, it just was loud, and, yeah, the energy was definitely there, and it was an awesome feeling.
Q: Any big name you were particularly excited about?
MA: I'm not gonna lie, Justin Bieber. That was a good one. Not gonna lie.
Q: Has there been any moment or any day that's just been special for you so far?
MA: Yeah, to be honest, the roster reveal. That whole day in New York City was very special just because everything was, like, so over the top, like, the production of it. Walking out, holding the jersey. It was a very American way to reveal the roster, but it was a special day because that was the moment everyone found out, and you can kind of (relax because) doesn't have to be secret anymore, and all that type of stuff. And just sharing that moment with my teammates was super cool as well.
Um, one thing that was cool about the day was I met (Atlanta rapper) Gunna. Fun fact, I'm a big Gunna guy, so that was dope. But yeah, like, I've been really enjoying just ... I think our team is very close. It's a very close-knit group of players, and everyone's super friendly and cool with each other, and we've spent a lot of time together now. This whole camp, so it's just, like, the longer the tournament goes, the stronger the chemistry feels, and I think that translates to the field. So it's been really good.
Q: I know you couldn't tell us that you made the team before, but did you get to tell your family that you made the team before that reveal, or was that how they found out watching?
MA: No, I told them before that, basically, when I found out, I only told my parents and my brothers, so, yeah, I just wanted to be careful about telling people, because I didn't really know the rules, but, yeah, that would have been kind of crazy if that's how they found out, just on TV.
Q: What was their reaction?
MA: They were super happy for me. It was kind of funny, the way it worked out. Like, my mom had called me earlier that day just to talk to me randomly about something, so she thought I was just calling her back. And then, she started talking about something, and when she was done, I was like, 'Oh, by the way, I wanted to let you know, I made the World Cup squad.' And it was very emotional. Like, I cried. My parents cried. Just 'cause you kind of think about all the sacrifices that have been made. And, obviously, this has been, like, a big goal of mine for the past 18 months since my first national team appearance, and as much as I didn't want to say, like, 'it's a World Cup or nothing,' it was on my mind a lot. And so it was a big accomplishment, but also a big weight lifted off my shoulders, 'cause, you know, I made the squad, and that's really what I wanted.
Q: Is there anybody specifically on this team that you've been able to pick up a lot of game from, knowing that this is your first time around with the World Cup?
MA: Yeah, there's a lot, but I think to be a bit more specific, I would say, probably Antonee Robinson, you know, the left back who plays in my position. Obviously he plays in the Premier League (for Fulham), which is like the highest level you can play at, and we play the same position. So just being able to watch him play and just kind of picking his brain on things, I would say, has been valuable for me. I think more than anything, I'm learning more just from observing, like, the specific things and the way they play whenever I have the chance, and it's been good, and I'm gonna try and apply those things to my game as well.
Q: I'm just curious about what (coach Mauricio Pochettino) said to you guys prior to the first game, whether you guys knew that you were ready to do what you did, which really blew a lot of people's minds, what he said coming out of it. And what the mindset is heading into the game against Australia?
MA: Before the game, surprisingly, there wasn't too much to be said. I think he understood that there was no need for some motivational speech or motivational team talk, because ... I think his perspective was, do you really need to be motivated to play in a World Cup game in your home country? And he's right. In my opinion, I don't think anybody needs to get up for that, because it's natural. It's just natural that you're gonna be super up for that game, and I think that's what you saw. Truly, I really do. I think we came out very hungry, and although I wasn't in the game, I was very pleased with just seeing how we came out. And I think, more than anything, the way we'd been training leading up to that first game, like, that was his version of telling us how he wants us to play, if that makes sense. Because training has been very intense and very physically demanding.
And then after the game, he was very proud. He was very complimentary and he told us that this is one of the best moments of his coaching career. And obviously, he has had a very illustrious career, so that means a lot. And then going into Australia, yeah, it's a bit more strategic, I would say, and tactical at this point, just because, you know, we want to be prepared for how they're going to play. So I would say right now we're in the stage of more specifics in terms of how to play against Australia.
Q: Did you guys surprise yourselves, or was that pasting of Paraguay something that you knew you had in you and it was ready to come out?
MA: I wasn't surprised, to be honest with you. I wasn't, just because I know the qualities that we have on our team, and, I mean, I feel like once we got that first one, and then you could just kind of see how the game was going, that we could just keep scoring. So honestly, I wasn't surprised.
Columbus Crew World Cup connections: A quick update
W Max Arfsten, USA: See above.
D Steven Moreira, Cape Verde: Current Crew player. Started, finished and (it's fair to say) stood out in one of the most shocking results of the tournament to date – a 0-0 draw with mighty Spain. Next up in Group H: vs. Uruguay in Miami Sunday.
MF Sebastian Berhalter, USA: A former Crew Homegrown, and the son of the former Crew and USMNT coach, he subbed in for Christian Pulisic in the second half of the Yanks' 4-1 victory over Paraguay. Next up in Group D: vs. Australia in Seattle, with a Columbus viewing party at Budd Dairy on 4th St., this afternoon.
F Cucho Hernandez, Colombia: Former Crew star. Came off the bench and posted a highlight reel – took a long, direct pass, was fouled twice but managed to keep control of the ball and keep it in-bounds, looked up, and lasered a cross to the far side of the penalty box for an easy header. His assist iced a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Mexico City. Next up in Group K: vs. D.R. Congo in Guadalajara on Tuesday.
In Columbus, we've seen this kind of thing before. Don't you miss Cucho?
W Derrick Etienne Jr., Haiti: Former Crew player. Didn't play, but his countrymen carried themselves well in a 1-0 loss to Scotland in Boston. Next up in Group C: vs. Brazil today in Philadelphia.
D Milos Dejenek, Australia: Former Crew player. Watched from the bench as the Socceroos shocked Turkiya 2-0 in Vancouver. Next up in Group D: vs. USA today in Seattle.
GK Eloy Room, Curacao: Former Crew player. Started, went the distance and got shelled in a 7-1 loss to Germany in Houston. Next up in Group E: vs. Ecuador Saturday in Kansas City.
MF Christian Martinez, Panama: Former Crew player. Started and played 63 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Ghana in Toronto. Next up in Group L: vs. Croatia Tuesday in Toronto.
This week in Discasting
A visit with Gregg Berhalter
Chicago Fire coach Gregg Berhalter played in two World Cups and went on to coach the Crew and the USMNT. Last week, his son Sebastian made his World Cup debut for Team USA. It's always a pleasure to have Triple-G on The Crewcible. This week, we truly appreciated the timing of his appearance.
It came up – it usually does: Berhalter's attempt to score the equalizer against Germany in the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup (South Korea/Japan) was taken off the line on a blatant handball by German midfielder Torsten Frings. The refs missed it. This was wayyyy before VAR. Germany won, 1-0.
Man, we forget how scrappy-good that U.S. team was. Frankie Hejduk, who is scheduled to be a guest at today's watch party at Budd Dairy Food Hall, started at left back.
At the start of the group stage (Group D, by the way), those Yanks bolted to a three-zip lead in the first half against mighty Portugal and held on for a 3-2 victory. After that, they managed to get to the knockout stage with a great deal of luck. Then, in the Round of 16, they beat Mexico by a score of (you guessed it) 2-0. Dos a Cero. And they were humming again.
They had all kinds of chances to beat Germany in the quarters. Here's a brief roll of highlights with Berhalter's attempt (on a corner kick from Claudio Reyna) and a perfect view of the blatant handball. Hand of God II.
Triple-G has hair in this video. The opponent here, Germany, lost in the final to Brazil.
Was Team USA's first half against Paraguay last week more perfect than Team USA's first half against Portugal in 2002? We talk about it.
What was it like to see your son make his World Cup debut? What is facing the Yanks against Australia in their second group-stage game? What are GGG's thoughts on Pochettino? What will this World Cup do for soccer in the U.S.?
We talk about it.
What is GGG's weak-ass excuse for not being able to make to Budd Dairy for today's Disrespected watch party/live podcast?
We talk about it.
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Michael Arace
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. Don't be like Porty.
