The USMNT, at long last and just in time, have tangible momentum before World Cup 2026

A team that once folded when challenged now has a comeback victory and solid performances to build on in the last pre-World Cup windows

Not all that long ago, that first half hour would have done the Americans in.

The United States men's national team started Tuesday's friendly with Australia looking flat, lacking spark, unable to find their way through the press. They gave away a soft, sloppy goal on a series of defensive miscues - off a throw-in no less. It was the eighth time in Mauricio Pochettino's 20 matches in charge that the US fell behind. They had never salvaged a win from the previous seven and gotten only two ties. Then they lost Christian Pulisic to injury when he felt his hamstring pull.