US riding high after dream World Cup start, but wary of Australia

SEATTLE, June 17 : The United States will hope to keep the party going after starting the World Cup with a fluid attacking display, but must be wary of an Australia side which began with a famous victory and have been fired up by misplaced disrespect.

Few would have predicted that Friday's game could decide who tops Group D, but the co-hosts' 4-1 rout of Paraguay followed by the Socceroos' 2-0 humbling of Turkey makes the winners firm favourites to progress in first place.

The skill and swagger with which the U.S. dismantled Paraguay has rightly prompted a wave of excitement among their fans, which the side will seek to channel in Seattle.

But Australia pose a significant threat: they are physically imposing, well-drilled defensively and quick and clinical on the counter, all of which they showed against Turkey.

The U.S. are fully aware of Australia's dangers, after a fiery 'friendly' in October in which Christian Pulisic was forced off injured. The forward's fitness for the rematch is again in question after he trained separately this week.

Despite Pulisic nursing a calf issue which he initially picked up in training, teammate Tim Weah said on Tuesday that the winger, who was withdrawn at halftime against Paraguay after aggravating the problem, should be able to play a part.

"I think he will be ready for the game ... I'm just praying to god that he feels 100 per cent fit – he will be needed," he said.

U.S. PLAYERS DISMISS PUNDITS' COMMENTS ABOUT AUSTRALIA

Some U.S. pundits have been disparaging about Australia, prompting their midfielder Connor Metcalfe this month to say there had been "so much rubbish and I'm just sick of it".

But Turkey can tell the U.S. all about underestimating Australia: captain Hakan Calhanoglu said his