Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has dropped goalscorers Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe to the bench for Australia’s blockbuster clash with the United States.
Veteran Mathew Leckie, playing for the first time at his fourth World Cup, and Nishan Velupillay are the two inclusions in attack for the game that could determine who finishes top of group D.
Irankunda, who was electric in the 2-0 win over Turkey, including scoring a brilliant opener, and Metcalfe, who delivered a wonderful second-half goal, loom as impact substitutes.
Popovic has stuck with impressive young goalkeeper Patrick Beach and the same defence and midfield that bested Turkey, with Harry Souttar captain again.
US star Christian Pulisic was unable to prove his fitness after a left calf injury and was left out of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad altogether.
AUSTRALIA STARTING XI
Patrick Beach (goalkeeper); Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar (captain), Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos; Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler; Nishan Velupillay, Matthew Leckie; Mohamed Toure.
