Connor Metcalfe Calls Out US Pundits Ahead of World Cup Clash

Connor Metcalfe has had enough.

As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup ticks into its final week, the Socceroos midfielder is done listening to American pundits dismiss Australia as little more than cannon fodder.

“I've seen all the US stuff and I'm just sick of it, to be honest,” Metcalfe said in San Diego, where Australia is tuning up for a friendly against Switzerland. “Let's just wait for the game. Whatever happens, happens. It's just so much rubbish, honestly. I'm just sick of it.”

The spark came from former USA defender Alexi Lalas, who described Australia as “an average team by any measure”. It landed like a slap in a dressing room that has grown used to being underestimated, but not to this level of open contempt.

Lalas is not alone. Ex-USA striker Landon Donovan recently took aim at coach Tony Popovic, calling the Australian boss “smug” and confidently tipping the Socceroos to finish bottom of their group.

The noise from across the Pacific has become impossible to ignore. Inside the Australian camp, though, it is being turned into fuel.

Dress rehearsal in San Diego

Before the verbal sparring gives way to the real thing against the USA later in the tournament, Australia has business to take care of: a midday kick-off against Switzerland in San Diego.

This is no throwaway friendly. Popovic has treated it as a dry run for the World Cup clash with the Americans, which is also scheduled for 12pm local time.

“It's actually a good dress rehearsal for us, with travelling, with food, with training, with our meetings,” Popovic said, outlining a day that will mirror World Cup conditions as closely as possible.

The staff want players’ body clocks, routines and preparation sharpened to the minute. No excuses when the USA finally walks out from the opposite tunnel.

Volpato’s first steps in green and gold

The Swiss game will also mark a quiet but significant moment: Cristian Volpato’s first minutes for Australia.

The Sassuolo winger, who stunned many by choosing the Socceroos over Italy just days before the squad was named, sat out the 1–0 loss to Mexico last week. He has been working his way back to full speed after a spell on the sidelines.

“He hasn't played a lot of football and he had eight to nine days off before he joined us,” Popovic said. “Comparing [him] to the group, he's probably at the bottom in terms of his conditioning right now. He's working hard, he's trying to get up to speed and we've seen some good inroads in the last couple of days.”

Volpato’s selection has not been universally celebrated. Some fans pointed to a past social media post he made after Australia’s defeat to Japan, questioning his commitment to the shirt he now wears.

Inside the squad, though, the mood is calm.

“It's been pretty smooth sailing. I mean, he's come in, he's a really nice, relaxed guy,” Metcalfe said. “We see it online and we know the past and what's been done, but we're not here to talk about that. Whatever's said is done, so it's fine.”

For Popovic, the task is clear: build Volpato’s fitness, integrate his talent, and let performances on the pitch rewrite the narrative.

Switzerland’s Embolo finally cleared

On the opposite side of the halfway line, Switzerland’s own World Cup build-up has had its own drama.

Striker Breel Embolo, a key figure in their attack, was initially blocked from travelling with the squad due to a visa issue. Hours before the team was due to fly, US officials informed him his ESTA — the automated travel authorisation used for tourism — had been rejected because of a criminal conviction.

Switzerland suddenly had a hole in its forward line and a logistical headache. Embolo stayed behind, met with US officials during the week, and eventually received approval to travel.

His record for the national team speaks for itself: 23 goals in 85 appearances. Losing that kind of firepower, even temporarily, is the sort of disruption no coach wants on the eve of a World Cup.

Now he is on his way, and the Swiss can finally focus on football again.

Respect to be won, not requested

For Australia, the stakes in San Diego go beyond fitness and fine-tuning. This is about respect in a tournament where they have been written off before a ball is kicked.

Metcalfe and his teammates have heard the jibes. They know what is being said on US television, what is being clipped and shared online. The response will not come in a press conference.

It will come under the midday sun, when the whistle blows and there is nowhere left to hide.