Alexi Lalas, the former U.S. standout who now works for Fox Sports, called the Aussies “an average team by any measure.” Landon Donovan, the all-time leading U.S. goal-scorer in World Cup games and fellow Fox Sports pundit, had predicted that the Socceroos would finish at the bottom of the group, and called their coach, Tony Popovic, smug. “You can get back on the Qantas airplane and head back home, pal,” Donovan said.
Like any smart team—and fan base—Australia is using smack talk as motivation.
“Very much the narrative in Australia at the moment is that the U.S., not the people of the U.S., but perhaps some of the commentators that are now shown globally around the world, have disrespected the Australians,” says Julian Linden, soccer writer for The Daily Telegraph in Australia. “It’s manna from heaven. You develop the siege mentality.”
The American players don’t appreciate the fuel pundits have provided. When asked about the comments, they roll their eyes. “All the talk is just nonsense,” says U.S. forward Tim Weah.