Socceroos Prepare for World Cup Showdown Against USA

Connor Metcalfe has had enough.

As the Socceroos fine-tune their World Cup preparations in the United States, the midfielder has fired back at a growing chorus of American pundits who have dismissed Australia as little more than group-stage fodder.

“I've seen all the US stuff and I'm just sick of it, to be honest,” Metcalfe said in San Diego, where Australia face Switzerland in a friendly. “Let's just wait for the game. Whatever happens, happens. It's just so much rubbish, honestly. I'm just sick of it.”

The spark came from former USA defender Alexi Lalas, who described Australia as “an average team by any measure.” His comments dropped into a narrative already building in US media, one that paints the Socceroos as easy beats ahead of their clash with the hosts later in the tournament.

Lalas is not alone. Ex-USA striker Landon Donovan has already taken aim at Australia coach Tony Popovic, labelling him “smug” and predicting the Socceroos will finish bottom of their group.

Inside the Australian camp, those words have clearly landed. But they are being used as fuel, not a distraction.

Dress rehearsal in San Diego

Before the showdown with the USA, Popovic’s side will run through a full simulation against Switzerland — right down to the kickoff time.

Australia will face the Swiss in a midday match, mirroring the 12pm start against the USA at the World Cup.

“It's actually a good dress rehearsal for us, with travelling, with food, with training, with our meetings,” Popovic said.

The focus is as much on rhythm as on result. Body clocks, pre-match routines, post-match recovery — all of it is being tested now so there are no surprises later.

Volpato finally set to feature

One of the key subplots around this camp has been Cristian Volpato. The Sassuolo winger, who stunned many by switching allegiance from Italy to Australia just days before the squad was named, is finally set to see the pitch.

Popovic confirmed Volpato will get his first minutes for the Socceroos against Switzerland after missing the 1–0 loss to Mexico last week.

“He hasn't played a lot of football and he had eight to nine days off before he joined us,” Popovic said. “Comparing [him] to the group, he's probably at the bottom in terms of his conditioning right now.

“He's working hard, he's trying to get up to speed and we've seen some good inroads in the last couple of days.”

Volpato’s call-up has divided opinion among some fans, who have not forgotten a social media post he made when Australia lost to Japan. That history has followed him into camp, but inside the dressing room, the tone is very different.

Metcalfe was quick to shut down any suggestion of friction.

“It's been pretty smooth sailing. I mean, he's come in, he's a really nice, relaxed guy,” Metcalfe said. “We see it online and we know the past and what's been done, but we're not here to talk about that. Whatever's said is done, so it's fine.”

For Popovic, the Switzerland match is about spreading minutes across the squad and sharpening combinations. For Volpato, it is a first chance to show why Australia fought so hard to secure his commitment.

Switzerland’s visa scare

On the opposite side, Switzerland’s build-up has been disrupted by an issue that had nothing to do with tactics or form.

Striker Breel Embolo, one of the country’s key attacking threats, was initially barred from travelling with the squad to the US because of a visa problem. US officials blocked him from boarding the flight after his ESTA — the automated travel authorisation used for tourism — was rejected due to a criminal conviction.

Embolo stayed behind as his teammates flew out. Only after meeting US officials during the week did he receive clearance to travel.

His eventual arrival will be a major relief for Switzerland. The forward has scored 23 goals in 85 games for his country and remains central to their attacking plans.

So Australia step into this “dress rehearsal” with a point to prove and a squad still settling, while their opponents scramble to restore normality after a late scare with their star striker.

The talk in the US has been loud. Soon enough, the only noise that matters will come from the pitch.