Australia's Connor Metcalfe Responds to US Criticism Ahead of World Cup

Connor Metcalfe has had enough.

As the Socceroos bed down in San Diego ahead of the World Cup, the Australian midfielder made it clear he is tired of hearing the United States talk down his team before a ball has even been kicked.

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

The latest spark came from former USA defender Alexi Lalas, who dismissed Australia as “an average team by any measure” in the build-up to the tournament. His comments added to a growing pile of American punditry writing off the Socceroos before their group-stage clash with the hosts.

Landon Donovan has already taken aim, branding Australia coach Tony Popovic “smug” and predicting the side will finish bottom of their group. The tone has been consistent: Australia as fodder, the USA as favourites on home soil.

Inside the Australian camp, the mood is different. Less noise, more work.

Dress rehearsal in San Diego

Before they can think about the USA, Australia face Switzerland in a midday kick-off in San Diego — a match Popovic views as a dry run for the World Cup showdown with the Americans, which is also scheduled for a 12pm start.

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

The timing, the logistics, the rhythm of the day: all of it is being treated as a trial run. The staff want the players’ bodies and minds tuned to the demands of a lunchtime fixture, the kind that can sap energy and punish any lapse in preparation.

This is not a glamour friendly. It is a controlled experiment.

Volpato set for first Socceroos minutes

One of the most intriguing subplots belongs to Cristian Volpato. The Sassuolo winger, who stunned many by switching allegiance from Italy to Australia just days before the World Cup squad announcement, is set to finally pull on the green and gold.

Popovic confirmed Volpato will play 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.”

The staff know they are handling a talent who can change games, but also a player who is still chasing full match sharpness. The Swiss friendly offers a controlled environment to test where he is physically, and how he fits tactically.

Volpato’s inclusion has not been universally celebrated. Some fans have not forgotten a social media post he made when Australia lost to Japan, a moment that raised questions about his commitment at the time. Those debates have rumbled on outside the camp.

Inside it, Metcalfe insists, the transition has been smooth.

“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 and his players, the focus is on what Volpato can do now, not what he once posted.

Embolo cleared after visa scare

On the opposite side of the pitch, Switzerland have been wrestling with their own off-field drama.

Breel Embolo, their powerful striker and one of the key figures in Murat Yakin’s attack, was initially blocked from travelling with the squad due to a visa issue. Hours before the team was due to depart, US officials informed Embolo he could not board the flight after his ESTA — the automated travel authorisation used for tourism — was rejected because of a criminal conviction.

It left Switzerland’s preparations in limbo. Their main forward stranded, their plans suddenly uncertain.

Embolo met US officials during the week and eventually received approval to travel. His availability is a significant boost for the Swiss: he has scored 23 goals in 85 games for his country and offers a focal point in attack that few in their squad can replicate.

So the stage in San Diego is set. An Australian side bristling at being dismissed, a Swiss team finally reunited with its main striker, and a World Cup on the horizon that will not wait for anyone’s feelings to settle.

The talk in the US has painted Australia as easy beats. Soon enough, the only voices that matter will be the ones on the pitch.