Haji Wright’s two-goal heroics propelled the United States to a 2-1 victory over Australia on Tuesday, ending the Socceroos’ 12-match unbeaten run in an international football friendly held in Denver.
Match Overview
| Team | Score | Goalscorers |
| United States | 2 | Haji Wright (33′, 51′) |
| Australia | 1 | Jordan Bos (19′) |
Key Match Events
- 19th minute: Australia’s Jordan Bos, 22, of Dutch club Feyenoord, opened the scoring with a powerful left-footed strike from the left wing, his second goal at international level.
- 33rd minute: Haji Wright equalised for the United States, converting an assist from Cristian Roldan to bring the hosts back into contention.
- 51st minute: Wright completed his brace, firing a precise left-footed shot from the right side into the far post, again assisted by Roldan.
Context and Significance
- The Australians had been enjoying a seven-match winning streak and had conceded just two goals in their last five matches. They are already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
- The Americans had drawn 1-1 with Ecuador in Austin last Friday and this friendly marked Mauricio Pochettino’s first comeback triumph as US coach.
- Wright, 27, who plays for Coventry City in England, now has seven international goals in 19 appearances.
Player Reactions
- Haji Wright: “It was a difficult first half for us. We started a little slow. We made some mistakes and they grabbed a goal pretty early. But after that, we woke up and performed really well. Our intensity went up, we kept the ball in play and created more chances.”
- On scoring his brace: “I believe in myself, and these guys make it pretty easy. Playing at home in front of this crowd feels fantastic.”
The result gives the United States a confidence boost ahead of World Cup preparations, ending Australia’s impressive streak and showcasing Wright’s rising influence on the national team.
