The USMNT continue their 2026 World Cup buildup on home soil with as they welcome the Australians for a major test.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men come into the contest after a spirited 1-1 draw with Ecuador, a performance that offered plenty of positives. The Argentine coach’s decision to experiment with a 3-4-2-1 paid off.
Australia, meanwhile, arrive in Colorado brimming with belief and momentum. Tony Popovic’s side is unbeaten in 11 matches, including seven straight wins, and fresh off a gritty 1-0 victory over Canada last weekend.
The Socceroos have already punched their World Cup ticket, giving Popovic the freedom to fine-tune his side ahead of next summer’s showpiece.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
USA vs. Australia live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this international friendly in Australia:
TV channel: -
Live stream: Paramount+
This match is not available for live TV broadcast in Australia. Streaming options are available on Paramount+.
Paramount+ does have a FREE trial, so new subscribers can enjoy it for one week before making a payment.
What time does USA vs. Australia kick off?
This international friendly takes place at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, USA, and kicks off on Tuesday, October 14, at 7 p.m. local time.
Here's how that start time translates across Australia:
| Date | Start time | |
| Australian Eastern Daylight Time | Wed, Oct. 15 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Australian Central Daylight Time | Wed, Oct. 15 | 11:30 a.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Wed, Oct. 15 | 9:00 a.m. |
USA vs. Australia lineups, team news
Antonee Robinson only just returned from offseason knee surgery that kept him largely uninvolved at Fulham early this Premier League season. Having just made his return at the club level, he's been included on the roster for the first time since March, although he missed the Ecuador game.
Tyler Adams is not included in the roster, due to the Bournemouth midfielder expecting the birth of a child in the next few days. Christian Pulisic came off the bench against Ecuador due to ankle swelling, while Alejandro Zendejas has picked up a knee injury and has returned to Club America for recovery.
Ricardo Pepi was brought off early in PSV's league match against Excelsior, and while the muscle injury is thought to be minor, he was left off the roster. His club teammate Sergino Dest was absent from PSV's Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen but returned for the weekend's league match, so it's unclear if he was omitted fitness reasons.
Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has picked up an ankle injury early in his time at new club Atletico Madrid and is unavailable. Gio Reyna's career-long struggles with muscle injuries continue as he remains out with a hamstring issue picked up early in his Borussia Monchengladbach spell.
There will be a battle of goalkeepers this window between Matt Turner and Matt Freese, as 2022 World Cup starter Turner is back in the fold after ceding the last few camps to Freese. It was the latter who started against Ecuador, so Turner could be in line for a return to the XI here.
USA predicted XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Turner (GK) — Carter-Vickers, Richards, Ream — Weah, Tessmann, McKennie, Arfsten — Pulisic, Wright — Balogun.
Injured: A. Robinson (fitness, doubt), Pulisic (ankle, doubt), Pepi (muscle), Cardoso (ankle), Reyna (hamstring), Zendejas (knee).
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Adams (personal reasons).
Croatian-born Aussie international Fran Karacic was forced to withdraw from the squad due to an injury picked up in a league match just before the window while on club duty with Hajduk Split. He was replaced by uncapped Jacob Italiano, who plays for Grazer AK in the Austrian top flight.
Ageing veterans Jackson Irvine and Aziz Behich have been phased out of the international picture and have not been called in for a number of windows. In their stead, a young crop of talent has come through, headlined by 21-year-old Mohamed Toure who has been in strong form for Danish club Randers and bagged a brace in the September friendly win over New Zealand.
It will be interesting to see whether that's enough for Toure to supplant regular striker Mitch Duke, who has struggled this season in J-League play and has just two international goals since the start of 2024. Goalkeeper Paul Izzo was outstanding against Canada and could have earned another start over regular Mathew Ryan.
Australia predicted XI (4-5-1, right to left): Izzo (GK) — Italiano, Burgess, Degenek, Circati, Rowles — Metcalfe, O'Neill, Ballard, Irankunda — Toure.
Injured: Karacic (undisclosed).
Suspended: None.
International friendly schedule this week
All times AEST
Tuesday, October 14
- Japan vs. Brazil (8:30 p.m.)
- South Korea vs. Paraguay (9:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 15
- Iran vs. Tanzania (1:00 a.m.)
- Norway vs. New Zealand (2:00 a.m.)
- Football Union of Russia vs. Bolivia (3:00 a.m.)
- Albania vs. Jordan (3:00 a.m.)
- Colombia vs. Canada (10:00 a.m.)
- Puerto Rico vs. Argentina (10:00 a.m.)
- United States vs. Australia (11:00 a.m.)
- Mexico vs. Ecuador (12:30 p.m.)
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