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20 Oct 2025 22:27
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  •   Home > News > Sports > Soccer

    Socceroos lose 2-1 to USA in international friendly, ending Tony Popovic's unbeaten start

    The Socceroos suffer defeat for the first time under Tony Popovic, falling to a 2-1 defeat against the USA in Colorado.


    The Socceroos have lost for the first time in 12 matches under Tony Popovic, falling to a 2-1 defeat against the USA in Colorado.

    Jordan Bos opened the scoring against the run of play for the Socceroos in a first half in which Australia had just 30 per cent possession.

    However, Haji Wright scored a goal either side of half time — the first as a result of losing possession in midield and the second by falling asleep after giving away a free kick — to seal victory for the hosts.

    {SUMMARY]

    Making five changes from the team that edged Canada on Saturday, the Socceroos were under the pump from the outset at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the USA dominating possession and rarely giving their visitors a sniff.

    Which made it all the more remarkable when Jordan Bos opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

    A throw in from the left was picked up by the Feyenoord midfielder, who scythed his way through a mess of static American defenders before slotting home to score against the run of play.

    Soon after, things got even worse for the hosts, with AC Milan's Christian Pulisic forced off the field after weathering a couple of crunching tackles on his fragile ankle.

    But the USA were level not long after, Wright played in behind the Socceroos defence before poking the ball past Mat Ryan at the near post.

    Tempers flared before the break, Nick D'Agostino fortunate VAR was not being used after a reckless challenge from behind was inexplicably missed by the referee.

    That heated end to the first half seemed to fire Australia up more than anything, with the Socceroos coming out firing in the second half.

    However, much in the manner of the first half, the goal came against the run of play, a quickly taken free kick from deep inside the Socceroos half fired up towards Wright.

    Wright twisted and turned the unfortunate Cam Burgess inside out and left the Australian defender on his backside before curling a good finish past Ryan.

    Popovic made changes on the hour mark, switching his entire front four to bring goalscorer against Canada Nestory Irankunda into the fray.

    And the Watford youngster almost fired home the equaliser, bundling his way through two tacklers and squaring up a third before his shot was saved by American goalkeeper Matt Freese.

    Ryan had to make a brilliant save to deny the USA a third goal, rushing out to smother Diego Luna at point blank range.

    Look back at how all the action unfolded in our live blog.

    [BLOG]

     

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

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