Australia Loses 2-0 to USA; Former Players Question Team Selection

Criticism Follows Australia's 2-0 Loss to USA

Australia fell 2-0 to the United States in a friendly match on June 26. Following the result, former Socceroos players Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater publicly criticized head coach Tony Popovic's decision to leave two key players out of the starting lineup.

According to match reports, Popovic chose not to start Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda. This decision was particularly notable as both players had scored in Australia's previous 2-0 victory over Turkey. Metcalfe and Irankunda were introduced as substitutes in the second half. Reports note that Australia's performance improved after they entered the match, but by then, the USA had already established a 2-0 lead.

Mark Bosnich, speaking on Stan Sport's World Cup Daily, did not hold back his criticism:

"I think the game was over before it even started... You don't leave out your two goal-scorers from one of your greatest victories of all time."

He described Australia's first-half performance as "like lambs to the slaughter." While Bosnich acknowledged that Popovic might have been concerned about USA fullbacks Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman, he was unequivocal about the impact of the lineup.

Robbie Slater echoed the sentiment, stating:

"I just don't get why we left out two goal-scorers out of the starting XI."

Bosnich also commented on the USA's performance in the second half, noting that the USA "did not exert full effort."

Australia's next group match is against Paraguay on June 26 in Santa Clara. Despite the loss, Bosnich remains optimistic about the team's tournament prospects:

"We can still qualify. We've still got a great chance. We're going to pick ourselves up."