Sports
USMNT World Cup roster implications: Wright, Roldan make cases
COMMERCE CITY, Colorado — Haji Wright scored goals either side of half-time to help the United States defeat Australia 2-1 in a friendly on Tuesday night.
The Coventry City striker’s brace helped the hosts overcome Jordan Bos‘ 19th minute opener, with both goals assisted by midfielder Cristian Roldan.
The win for the U.S. extended its unbeaten streak to three games, while Australia saw its own 11-game run under manager Tony Popovic come to an end. It was also the first time in nine games that U.S. won under Mauricio Pochettino after conceding first.
Jeff Carlisle and Joey Lynch take a look at the major talking points from the match.
– As it happened: Wright inspires USMNT past Socceroos
– Pulisic subbed off early in USMNT friendly with Australia
– 2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it
1. Wright shows striker competition is still open
After Folarin Balogun scored in each of his last two U.S. games, it was beginning to look like he had gained some separation in the race to secure the starting striker spot. It was perhaps a bit puzzling then when Pochettino decided to hand Wright a start in Balogun’s place. After all, Wright hadn’t started for the U.S. since September of 2024 against New Zealand.
The move proved to be a master stroke, as Wright scored twice, though it wasn’t obvious at the start. In the opening minutes Wright looked a bit lost, and seemed oddly reluctant to exploit the space in behind that the Australia back-line was giving him.
But Wright stuck to his task, latching onto a through ball from Roldan in the 33rd minute to score with his right foot past Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. Then, six minutes into the second half, he ran through on another Roldan pass, left defender Cameron Burgess in a heap on the ground, and curled his effort past Ryan into the Australia goal.
If the World Cup were to start tomorrow, Balogun would likely get the start for the U.S., but Wright’s goals have kept him in the running, and have boosted his chances of earning a spot in the U.S. World Cup roster. — Carlisle
2. Socceroos’ unbeaten streak finally snapped
It was going to have to come to an end at some point. For the first time in the Popovic era, the Socceroos have lost a match, ending an 11-game run that began with his first game in charge last September and that had produced wins across the side’s last seven games.
There are all the necessary qualifications about this being a friendly staged with a bigger, World Cup-shaped goal in mind — even if Popovic and his staff rejected this narrative in the build-up to the game — but particularly disappointing for the Socceroos will be that Tuesday evening’s defeat came despite Bos putting them ahead after 19 minutes.
Defending has long been the great strength of this team, even before Popovic’s arrival, but as one would expect from the former defender, this has only been reinforced in recent times. And it’s hardly panic stations for the Australians yet.
Nonetheless, two lapses in concentration were all it took for Wright to get in behind and, as the Championship‘s leading scorer showed, players that are in-form and playing at the highest level will punish you if you give them the scope to. As the Socceroos shifted into chasing the match — a game-state largely unseen since their late draw against Bahrain last November — the United States were able to capitalise and create a series of looks on goal that, with slightly sharper finishing, could have easily blown the lead out further. — Lynch
3. Roldan bounces back from slow start
It’s stunning to think that two months ago, Roldan didn’t seem anywhere near a World Cup roster spot. He was even an afterthought for the September window, only to earn a late call-up and then put in an outstanding shift in the 2-0 win over Japan.
On Tuesday, Roldan once again helped his cause with another big-time performance, one made all the more impressive given how it started. The U.S. had plenty of possession to start, but then out of nothing, in the 19th minute, Bos broke through the U.S. defense with Chris Richards and Roldan both needing to do better to thwart the left back’s slaloming run.
But Roldan rebounded impressively. He quickly put his stamp on the U.S. attack, and twice came close to scoring on shots that just missed the target. Following his assist on Wright’s first goal, Roldan engaged in some quick-thinking to set up Wright’s second. After Alex Freeman won a free kick on the right wing, Roldan had the presence of mind to take it quickly and immediately put Wright in a one-on-one situation that he duly converted.
Like Wright, Roldan did plenty to increase his chances of making a second consecutive World Cup roster. The Seattle Sounders midfielder has a lot of bodies to climb over in order to reach that goal, some of whom have an impressive pedigree. But Roldan seems to be a favorite of Pochettino’s for his contributions both on and off the field, and if he continues to perform at this level, it will be near impossible to leave him off the World Cup roster. — Carlisle
4. Pulisic injury casts a pall on October window
After a successful September window, one of the hopes for Christian Pulisic in October was to see him perform alongside more of the USMNT’s first-choice lineup. It wasn’t to be. An ankle injury saw Pulisic limited to just 17 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Ecuador. It’s unclear if Pulisic injured the same ankle against Australia, but what is known is that he was on the receiving end of several heavy challenges. After Australia’s Jason Geria was booked in the 26th minute for a transition tackle on Pulisic, the U.S. attacker was forced off two minutes later.
The decision by Pochettino to take Pulisic off made sense. There was no reason to risk his star’s health further, especially given the fine form that the U.S. attacker has been in for AC Milan. Yet the injury is still a blow for the USMNT, at least in the context of this window. The World Cup countdown clock is ticking, and the more Pochettino can get his top players on the field at the same time, the better. Now that will have to wait until next month, assuming Pulisic heals up in time. — Carlisle
5. Australia’s loss could come at a big cost
Thanks to their win over Canada, combined with Austria‘s shock 1-0 loss to Romania in European qualifying, the Socceroos had entered Tuesday evening ranked 24 in the FIFA rankings. It’s a position that would have vaulted the Socceroos into Pot 2, and potentially a weaker World Cup group, should the draw have taken place that day.
Tuesday’s 2-1 loss, however, has put a dent in these hopes. While a loss on the road against a 16th-ranked United States won’t necessarily cost them a significant amount of ranking points — nowhere near close to the 14.88 that Austria was docked for their loss to the Romanians — Australia will nonetheless slip backwards.
Will this defeat ultimately prove costly? We can’t know for certain, but with a clash with defending World Cup champions and world No. 2 Argentina, in India, of all places, heavily rumoured to be one of the Socceroos’ opponents in the November window (and 21st-ranked Iran another rumoured opponent in that window), the Australians may have a mountain to climb before December’s draw. — Lynch
6. Bos shows why he is considered one of Australia’s best
As disappointing as the loss will be, the night wasn’t a total waste for Australia, with Bos putting in another performance that, despite some stiff competition from the likes of Nestory Irankunda and Mo Touré, separates him as the most exciting talent coming through in green-and-gold.
Coming into the window fresh off being named the Eredivisie player of the month, the first Australian to scoop the honour, the 22-year-old instantly changed the dynamic of the game when he came on as a second-half substitute against Canada and was amongst Australia’s best when he started against the United States on Tuesday evening.
Blessed with rare athleticism, the left wing-back’s ability to tirelessly get up and down the touchline adds a critical ability to break lines and advance field position in Popovic’s system and his goal — pouncing on a loose ball, forcing his way through three American defenders, bundling over Roldan, and finishing into the bottom corner — was emblematic of the combination of skill and physical power he brings to the game.
Bos set a then-Australian transfer record when he transferred from Melbourne City to KVC Westerlo back in 2023 and the subsequent reported €5 million move he made to Feyenoord this season already looks like a bargain for the Dutch giants. Give it a year or two, and it’s hard to see how the one-time Point Cook junior isn’t playing, and starting, in one of the world’s biggest leagues. — Lynch
NEW YORK — Mika Zibanejad was at a loss for words after he and the New York Rangers made history Tuesday night by becoming the first team in NHL history to get shut out in each of its first three home games of the season.
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” Zibanejad said after a 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. “I honestly don’t know.”
The Rangers’ 180-minute drought at Madison Square Garden is the second longest to start a season at home, behind only the now-defunct Pittsburgh Pirates in 1928. They went the first 187:19 without a goal at Duquesne Gardens before Hib Milks scored. The Pirates’ streak was longer because of overtime.
The previous longest in the modern era among teams that still exist was 155:17 by the Florida Panthers in 2001.
“This is a unique start to a season,” captain J.T. Miller said. “It sucks that we had a couple games where we feel like we’ve really thrown a lot at the other team and we’re not getting rewarded.”
Artemi Panarin had an early chance all alone in front against Edmonton that was stopped by Stuart Skinner. Will Cuylle also got the puck on net after an Oilers turnover only to be turned aside, and fourth-liners Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe had quality opportunities on the edge of the crease.
“We can all go home and sleep well knowing we played another good home game,” Miller said. “We’re competitors. We want to win. We’d love to see the puck go in the net. Right now, it’s not.”
Sam Carrick almost scored with 2:31 left, but Skinner flashed his glove to make the save.
None of those shots made it over the goal line, and a couple of other attempts rang off the crossbar and out.
“We have two crossbars that go crossbar or post that goes right by the goal line,” Zibanejad said. “I think we’re creating lots of chances. I think there’s enough high-danger chances that we’re creating, but we’re not scoring. Simple.”
The Rangers have failed to score on their first 90 shots on goal at home, and fans booed at one point when they came up empty on consecutive power plays.
“You’re dying to give the fans a reason to cheer,” Carrick said. “They support us every night hugely here. Obviously they want to come and see goals. That’s the frustrating part.”
They will have to wait nearly a week for their next game on home ice. New York goes on the road for games at Toronto and Montreal before returning to host Minnesota on Monday night. Every player who spoke after the Oilers game had the same train of thought about not abandoning the structure that contributed to winning twice on the road and being competitive.
“It’s on us to make sure that the mindset stays the same in here and we don’t go off the grid to find something,” Miller said. “We need to stay the course. Over time, results will come.”
The Big Ten’s proposed $2 billion-plus private capital deal is facing headwinds after a joint meeting Tuesday afternoon between trustees at Michigan and USC led to unified questions about the plan, sources who were on the call told ESPN.
The two schools discussed their shared skepticism during the call. One sticking point: The deal doesn’t address the root issue — soaring costs — that has made the need for cash so imperative for athletic departments. Just providing short-term money, sources said, does not solve that issue.
The schools also noted pending federal legislation that makes predicting the future of college athletics difficult as well as a general apprehension at selling equity in a university asset (the conference media rights).
Both Michigan and USC believe there are funding options that can provide superior terms and would like to slow the process and explore them, sources said. The goal, the meeting agreed, should be to help the Big Ten schools that need money but at the most favorable terms imaginable without giving up equity.
Although the questions are numerous, it is not certain how much influence the trustees can yield on the proposal, let alone change or even stop the process. The complicated agreement remains fluid and continues to be negotiated and worked on, meaning despite the current opposition, a deal still might be worked out.
That said, having two of the league’s biggest and most storied athletic brands against it is not insignificant.
The framework of the groundbreaking deal would send a significant infusion of money (in the range of $100 million at minimum) to each of the Big Ten schools. In exchange, the league would spin off a new entity, Big Ten Enterprises, which would hold all leaguewide television rights and sponsorship contracts through 2046. Individual schools still would retain local radio and other deals.
Shares of ownership in Big Ten Enterprises would fall to the league’s 18 schools, the conference office and the capital group — an investment fund that’s tied to the University of California pension system. The UC pension fund would receive a 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises and would hold typical minority investor rights but no direct control, sources said. The exact equity amounts per school in Big Ten Enterprises are still being negotiated.
There is expected to be a small difference in the percentage of the remaining equity between the schools that would favor the league’s biggest athletic brands, but it is likely to be less than a percentage point. There is also expected to be a tier system for initial payments, with the lowest amount in the nine-figure range. Larger athletic departments could receive above $150 million.
The deal would call for an extension of the Big Ten’s grant of rights through 2046, providing long-term stability for the conference and making both further expansion and any chance schools leave for the formation of a so-called super league unlikely.
A conference-wide call with league presidents and athletic directors on the deal was tentatively planned for Thursday, but there might be more work to be done before then if winning Michigan and USC over is possible. No official vote has been scheduled.
“Setting up a structure that can maximize that activity is important,” Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said last week at the league’s basketball media days. “Whether or not we need a strategic investment to help us, we’ll determine. But it’ll be done by all 18 leaders, and I think it’s no different than looking at the other buckets that we have to maximize resources. It’s one other avenue that may or may not be available to us.”
Although governance over campuses varies by institution, both USC and Michigan have interim presidents, meaning their boards of trustees might carry more influence than normal, especially on a 10-figure deal that could span decades.
The pension fund is not a private equity firm, which has been attractive to the Big Ten and its schools. The UC fund valuation proved to be higher than other competing bids, sources said, which made it attractive.
The money infusion is believed to be acutely needed at a number of Big Ten schools that are struggling with debt service on new construction, rising operational expenses and providing additional scholarships and direct revenue ($20.5 million this year and expected to rise annually) to athletes.
Just this week, Penn State terminated the contract of football coach James Franklin and could owe as much as $49 million, although that figure could be mitigated lower.
The Big Ten has argued that the deal would alleviate financial strain and help middle- and lower-tier Big Ten schools compete in football against the SEC.
Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo a new contract, while Chelsea and Juventus are set battle it out to sign Al Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on a free transfer. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Chelsea plan to offer midfielder Moisés Caicedo a new contract to ward off interest from Real Madrid, according to TEAMtalk. Los Blancos are reported to be one of the sides keeping tabs on the 23-year-old but, following several impressive performances so far this season, it looks as though the Blues are set to reward him with improved terms to stay put at Stamford Bridge. And Caicedo’s long-term deal in West London isn’t set to expire until 2031 already.
– A race between Chelsea and Juventus could take place for Al Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Corriere dello Sport. The 30-year-old is set to enter the final six months of his contract in January and, having not yet signed an extension, multiple clubs across Europe (including Galatasaray and Fenerbahce) are tracking him with a view to getting him to sign a pre-contract agreement. The Serbia international has made four appearances in the Saudi Pro League side so far this season.
– Internazionale have joined the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, reports Tuttosport. Inter are reportedly monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation at Selhurst Park, with belief that he could be a strong replacement for Yann Bisseck, who could leave San Siro next summer. Guéhi remains on the radar of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but Liverpool are leading the race for him after a £35 million move broke down on the final day of the summer transfer window.
– Brighton will dismiss offers to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba in January amid interest from the Premier League. TalkSPORT reports that the Seagulls have no plans to part ways with the 21-year-old during the middle of the season, with hopes of dissuading interested sides by asking for a £120 million fee. Meanwhile, Manchester United are set to prioritize a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, according to iNews, having placed him as their No. 1 priority ahead of Baleba amid their search for a midfielder. Wharton has also recently been linked with Real Madrid.
– A move for Dinamo Zagreb winger Cardoso Varela is being considered by Barcelona and Chelsea, reports Mundo Deportivo. The Blaugrana are closely monitoring the 16-year-old, with club sporting director Deco having already met with his representatives. While the Blues are also interested in Varela, whether the LaLiga club make a move for him is expected to hinge on if they decide to sign on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford permanently.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Madrid correspondent Alex Kirkland looks at the likelihood of Real Madrid landing Moisés Caicedo.
Real Madrid’s summer rebuild — signing three defenders in Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras, plus a wide forward in Franco Mastantuono — didn’t include a central midfielder, which for many fans and pundits, should have been top of the list.
So far this season, Xabi Alonso has tended to pick Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde and Arda Guler as his midfield three, with Jude Bellingham coming back into the picture after his recovery from shoulder surgery. The team have mostly played well, but in the two biggest games of Alonso’s tenure so far — the Club World Cup semifinal against PSG, and the derby against Atletico — they’ve come up short, and it’s hard to escape the feeling that, despite the qualities of Tchouameni, Valverde et al, they’re still missing a really dominant, tempo-setting midfielder.
Is Caicedo that player? A contract until 2031 is clearly an issue. Madrid only pay big transfer fees for the most elite prospects, like Bellingham, and that contract duration means a free transfer would be a distant prospect. Here in Madrid, there’s been no reporting yet that Caicedo is a serious target.
OTHER RUMORS
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Rob Dawson and Mark Ogden discuss Ruben Amorim’s future at Man United.
– Clubs in Saudi Arabia are looking to sign Real Madrid center back Antonio Rudiger as he enters the final year of his deal. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Barcelona are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy and winger Karim Adeyemi. (Bild)
– There is an undisclosed release clause in the contract of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has been linked with both Manchester United and Liverpool. (TalkSPORT)
– Bayern Munich winger Adin Licina is being watched by Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. (Tuttosport)
– Clubs in the Premier League could be interested in signing Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, 37, if he becomes available as a free transfer. (Football Insider)
– Monaco will wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to activate the permanent option clause in the loan deal of Barcelona winger Ansu Fati. (Sport)
– Juventus could need Fenerbahce defender Milan Skriniar to accept a lower salary for a move to become possible, with the 30-year-old earning close to €10m-per-season. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Eintracht Frankfurt are open to parting ways with striker Elye Wahi, while they also hold interest in Newcastle forward Will Osula. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka wants to stay at the club, but they could still look to move him on. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the shortlist of Rangers as they continue their search for a head coach. (TEAMtalk)
– Premier League clubs Chelsea and Brighton are looking at Lazio defender Mario Gila. (Football Insider)
– Barcelona are planning to begin talks over a new contract with defender Eric Garcia. (Nicolo Schira)
– AS Roma and Juventus are monitoring the contract situation of Bologna midfielder Remo Freuler. (Nicolo Schira)
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