The USMNT vs Australia match has become one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage since both teams won their first match of the 2026 World Cup.
Former MLS player Mike Grella made comments about the Australian national team that have added heat to the match.
Grella believes the match against Australia will be easy for the USMNT and calls them a ‘lay-up’ for Team USA today. Australia and the USMNT are both on three points in Group D, but the USMNT is currently top with a +3 goal difference after beating Paraguay 4-1.
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Former USMNT striker Charlie Davies was not a fan of Grella’s comment ahead of the match against Australia and said it was disrespectful to Australia’s quality.
Charlie Davies on Australia Comments
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Charlie Davies reacted to Mike Grella calling Australia a ‘lay-up’ for the USMNT.
Davies was not a fan of the comments as he found them disrespectful to Australia, especially after they won over Turkey last week. He reacts to Grella calling Australia the weakest team in the group.
Davies said, “I understand what he was trying to say. However, he didn’t say it in the right way, you know. To go on live TV and say it’s a lay-up, you know, you don’t disrespect any country in that manner, even if it should be a relatively easy match, if that’s what you believe….If I were Australian in that locker room, I’m putting that on repeat.”