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
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) governing council’s working committee held a late-night meeting to discuss key matters for the upcoming season, including the player auction and retention policies, sources told Geo News on Sunday.
According to insiders, the committee agreed to introduce a player auction for PSL 11 and also finalised the rules for player retention.
The committee’s decisions will be sent to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for final approval, with the option of convening a full governing council meeting if required.
Sources revealed that the defending champions Lahore Qalandars, along with Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Hyderabad, voted in favour of the player auction model.
Peshawar Zalmi and the Sialkot franchise also voted in favour of the ‘drauction’ system, sources said.
It was also confirmed that the five existing franchises agreed on retaining four players each, one in each category, with one player eligible to be brought into a lower category and designated as a brand ambassador, sources said.
The new franchises, meanwhile, will select their remaining players from the general player pool through the auction system. Two new franchises, however, insisted on zero retention.
“The remaining players will be auctioned, and franchises will pick their players in the auction,” sources said.
The final formula for the PSL 11 auction and retention rules will be submitted to Mohsin Naqvi, with an official announcement expected within the next one or two days.
Sources said there is a possibility that it will not be made mandatory to include a player from the Emerging category in the playing XI.
The PSL auction is likely to be held during the first week of February, sources said.
Earlier, Naqvi advised franchise owners to increase the players’ salary cap as the marquee league enters a new era with the addition of two new teams.
Highlighting the rise in franchise market value, he encouraged teams to adopt the auction model.
“Conduct an auction of players in the PSL 11 draft and select players of your choice — they will benefit from it,” Naqvi told franchise owners during the meeting.
PSL 11 is set to begin on March 26, marking a significant milestone as the league expands from six to eight teams with the inclusion of new franchises from Sialkot and Hyderabad.
The historic PSL 2026 auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8 this year, saw FKS Group and OZ Developers secure ownership of the new franchises for Rs 1.75 billion and Rs 1.85 billion, respectively.
Trump arrives at 2025 Army-Navy game
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and others arrive at the Army-Navy game just outside of Washington, D.C., and salute during the national anthem.
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President Donald Trump said Saturday that he plans to sign an executive order protecting the broadcast slot for the Army-Navy football game.
Trump’s announcement on Truth Social comes amid a push to expand the NCAA College Football Playoff, which could potentially affect the Army-Navy game’s traditional time slot.
“The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor!” Trump wrote. “This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!”
PROTESTS ERUPT OUTSIDE ARMY-NAVY GAME AMID TRUMP’S ATTENDANCE
President Donald Trump walks onto the field with Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland, Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, left, and Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, right, unseen, before the start of the 126th Army-Navy NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Baltimore. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
The president said his executive order will secure an exclusive four-hour broadcast window in December for the event that cannot be challenged by another postseason football game.
“Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy!” Trump said. “I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!”
President Donald Trump (C) greets players after the coin toss and before the start of the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Trump praised the rivalry, adding that “on the battlefield they are America’s unstoppable Patriots, defending our Country with tremendous Strength and Heart.”
“We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us,” he added. “Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets.”
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President Donald Trump walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on Dec. 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Trump attended the 126th installment of the rivalry game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Dec. 13, his seventh appearance at the game. The Navy Midshipmen captured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy with a 17-16 victory over Army.
The president said he will also attend the College Football Playoff championship Monday in Miami, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are keeping Matt LaFleur as head coach, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
He has signed a multiyear contract extension that a source said is “not a prove-it deal but a real commitment.”
The two sides met early in the week to discuss the future direction of the organization. They were joined by general manager Brian Gutekunst and vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball, and the first order of business was to make sure they had the right threesome in place.
Once they all agreed to move forward, LaFleur’s contract was the first order of business. It didn’t take long, and the deal was agreed to on Friday evening and signed on Saturday. Deals for Gutekunst and Ball are also in the works, sources said.
It was the first major decision by new team president Ed Policy, who took over in July for Mark Murphy. It was Murphy who hired LaFleur in 2019 to replace Super Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy.
The Packers are keeping their organizational structure in place even with the new extensions, sources said, as Gutekunst and LaFleur will continue to report to Policy.
The Packers lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs for the second straight season, but this time it was in a devastating fashion. Not only did they blow an 18-point halftime lead and give up 25 points in the fourth quarter, but they did it against the rival Chicago Bears.
LaFleur and Policy spoke briefly on the plane ride home from Chicago after the loss and then again after they returned to Green Bay to discuss the coach’s future.
LaFleur had one year left on the contract extension he signed in 2022. He would not say whether he would be willing to coach the 2026 season without a contract extension, but he reiterated that he would prefer to remain as the Packers’ coach even though he would likely be a top candidate for other NFL head coaching jobs.
“This is one-of-one,” LaFleur said Sunday when he met reporters the day after the season ended. “I love this place. I love the people. … I love our players, the locker room, everybody in our organization. I mean, this is a unique place. The community has been outstanding.
“I’ve lived in other places, so I think this is a unique place, and it’s a special place. My kids love it here; my family loves it here.”
Policy said last summer that he would prefer not to have a coach or general manager work into the final year of their contract, but at that time also said he was not ready to offer any extensions.
“I’m generally opposed — I’d never say never — [but] I’m generally opposed to a coach or GM going into the last year of their contract,” Policy said last June, shortly before he officially took over as president. “That creates a lot of issues. I think normally you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left — not always, but normally.
“So I think generally speaking I would avoid lame-duck status. It’s oftentimes difficult on everybody involved. But there are certain situations that probably call for it, so I would not say never.”
That ramped up the pressure on the 2025 season, which ended with five straight losses.
LaFleur has a 76-40-1 regular-season record as the Packers’ coach, the fourth-highest winning percentage (.654) among all active NFL head coaches, and his 76 wins tied for second most in NFL history by a coach in their first seven seasons.
LaFleur received a strong vote of confidence from quarterback Jordan Love after Saturday’s loss.
“I definitely think Matt should be the head coach,” Love said. “I’ve got a lot of love for Matt, and I think he does a good job. And that’s it.”
The Packers have made the playoffs in all but one of LaFleur’s seven seasons. However, after posting three straight 13-win seasons and going to two NFC Championship Games, LaFleur is 37-30-1 over the past four seasons with only one playoff win — a wild-card game in the 2023 season.
LaFleur was hired in 2019 in part to get Aaron Rodgers back to an MVP level, and that’s exactly what happened. Rodgers won the award twice (2020 and 2021) under LaFleur. He also was charged with developing Love, who three seasons into his starting career appears to be Green Bay’s franchise quarterback.
LaFleur came to the Packers after one season as playcaller with the Tennessee Titans. Before that, he was part of the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay coaching family.
Perhaps the biggest issue during LaFleur’s tenure was his hiring of coordinators. He fired four coordinators in his first five seasons. He retained defensive coordinator Mike Pettine from previous coach Mike McCarthy’s staff but moved on after two seasons. Pettine’s replacement, Joe Barry, lasted three seasons before LaFleur hired Jeff Hafley in 2024. LaFleur also had three different special teams coordinators. Rich Bisaccia has been in that position since 2022 after LaFleur fired Shawn Mennenga after two seasons and Mo Drayton after one.
LaFleur said he expects to lose Hafley to a head coaching job but would not say whether he planned to make any other coaching changes.
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