USA and Australia evenly matched for warm-up
Published:USA vs Australia, kick-off Saturday 1.30pm
USA have been hit by an injury to striker Jozy Altidore as they prepare for their final warm-up match – against Australia – before facing England in their World Cup opener on June the 12th.
The Villarreal striker missed training on Thursday with a sprained ankle, but he will undergo a fitness test ahead of the game with the Socceroos.
Although the former Hull loanee is only 20 years old, Altidore is by far the most experienced striker in the USA’s squad, and he was an integral part of the USA’s march to last year’s Confederations Cup final.
Indeed, with 25 international appearances, Altidore has more caps than the other three strikers in the squad – Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley and Herculez Gomez – have between them.
Coach Bob Bradley will therefore be praying that the 6ft 1in forward can shake off this knock in time for their crunch opener with England on June the 12th.
Should Altidore be ruled out, Bradley is likely to call upon Gomez, who has made a big impression in the Mexican league having scored 10 goals in his 14 matches for Puebla and secured a move to Pachuca.
Australia’s main goal outlet will be Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, who is the current leading scorer for the Socceroos with 19 goals in 39 caps.
The USA have been inconsistent of late, with two wins and two losses from their last four matches, but their recent 2-1 victory against Turkey bodes well for the World Cup.
Australia, meanwhile, are unbeaten in seven games, and enter this tie on the back of a 1-0 win against Denmark.
There is little to choose between the sides in terms of FIFA rankings, with the USA in 14th place and Australia in 20th.
And as both sides have realistic chances of progressing from groups C and D respectively, a draw is temptingly priced at 11/5.
How do you see this one going? The USA are 5/4 to win. See the full USA vs Australia market.
