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Australia players plot downfall of club-mate and US goalkeeper Freese
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Australia players plot downfall of club-mate and US goalkeeper Freese

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Two Australian soccer players, Kai Trewin and Aiden O'Neill, will face their New York City FC teammate Matt Freese when Australia plays the United States in the World Cup.
  • Trewin and O'Neill, who earned World Cup selections based on their MLS performances, possess inside knowledge of Freese's goalkeeping abilities.
  • Australia won their opening match against Turkey 2-0, while the U.S. defeated Paraguay 4-1, with questions remaining about Christian Pulisic's fitness for the upcoming game.

Australian soccer players Kai Trewin and Aiden O'Neill are preparing to face their New York City FC teammate Matt Freese when the Socceroos take on the United States in the World Cup. Trewin and O'Neill earned their spots on the Australian squad based on their Major League Soccer performances, and their familiarity with Freese is seen as a potential advantage.

Obviously, there's lots, lots of pressure for him and for the U.S., obviously playing on home soil. So I just wished him the best and I see how hard he works every day in training and in games. Obviously, I hope we get a positive result against them. But for the rest of the tournament, I wish him the best.

— Kai TrewinAustralian defender Kai Trewin discusses facing his NYCFC teammate Matt Freese in the World Cup.

Trewin spoke with Freese before the tournament but has not communicated since. "Obviously, there's lots, lots of pressure for him and for the U.S., obviously playing on home soil," Trewin told reporters. "So I just wished him the best and I see how hard he works every day in training and in games. Obviously, I hope we get a positive result against them. But for the rest of the tournament, I wish him the best."

Freese conceded one goal in the U.S.'s opening 4-1 victory over Paraguay. Australia began their campaign with a 2-0 upset win against Turkey. O'Neill acknowledged the unique situation of facing a clubmate, stating, "I think it was just more - yeah, we're excited to play against each other. Obviously, he's a top keeper, Matt, and it would be good to get one up on him, that's for sure."

I think it was just more - yeah, we're excited to play against each other. Obviously, he's a top keeper, Matt, and it would be good to get one up on him, that's for sure.

— Aiden O'NeillAustralian teammate Aiden O'Neill on facing fellow NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.

The teams met in a friendly last October, which the U.S. won 2-1. That match saw U.S. star Christian Pulisic limp off with an injury. Pulisic also had a calf issue in the Paraguay game and trained separately. Trewin, however, expects Pulisic to play, saying, "And I hope he plays. You want to play against their best 11. So, yeah, I'm sure he'll be fine."

And I hope he plays. You want to play against their best 11. So, yeah, I'm sure he'll be fine.

— Kai TrewinKai Trewin expresses his hope that U.S. player Christian Pulisic will be fit to play against Australia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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