The United States men’s national soccer team secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Australia in an international friendly, with striker Haji Wright scoring both goals. The match, played on October 14, 2025, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado, highlighted both teams’ preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Australia opened the scoring in the 19th minute through defender Jordan Bos, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to put the Socceroos ahead. The early goal put the USMNT under pressure, but they responded with increased intensity and control of possession. This initial setback tested the American squad’s resilience, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround in front of a home crowd.
Haji Wright leveled the score in the 33rd minute, finishing a precise through ball from midfielder Cristian Roldan. The goal came after sustained pressure from the US, with Wright showcasing his composure by hammering the ball into the net. This equalizer shifted momentum firmly in favor of the Americans, energizing the team and silencing the Australian supporters.
Wright completed his brace just six minutes into the second half, again assisted by Roldan from a quickly taken free kick. After receiving the pass, Wright cut inside to his left foot and slotted a clinical shot past Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, giving the US a 2-1 lead. The swift execution caught the Socceroos’ defense off guard, highlighting the USMNT’s improved offensive coordination.
The match saw several near misses that could have altered the outcome. Diego Luna nearly added an insurance goal for the US, but Ryan made a point-blank save to keep Australia in contention. On the other end, US goalkeeper Matt Freese denied Nestory Irankunda late in the game, preserving the narrow lead and underscoring the back-and-forth nature of the contest.
Cristian Roldan was instrumental with two assists, demonstrating his vision and playmaking abilities in midfield. His contributions were crucial in orchestrating the comeback, while Wright’s brace underscored his growing importance to the squad. The early substitution of Christian Pulisic due to a hamstring issue raised concerns, but the team adapted without their star attacker, showing depth and tactical flexibility.
This victory marks a positive end to the October international window for the USMNT, following a previous draw with Ecuador. For Australia, the loss snapped a 12-game unbeaten streak that began in September 2024, but both teams gained valuable experience against quality opposition. The friendly provided insights into squad rotations and strategies as they fine-tune their approaches for major tournaments.
Looking ahead, the USMNT will face Paraguay and Uruguay in November, continuing their build-up to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. The performance against Australia offers confidence and identifies areas for improvement, such as defensive consistency and leveraging set-pieces. For the Socceroos, the match serves as a learning opportunity in their own World Cup qualifying journey, with future fixtures yet to be announced.