I stopped by the Philadelphia Museum of Art before coming here and stood for a long time before Thomas Eakins' *The Gross Clinic* — that same surgical precision, that unflinching intensity, is exactly what Pulisic will bring to Australia's defensive lines tonight. The Socceroos arrive here with admirable heart but a forward line that simply cannot hurt this American side on home soil — Philadelphia will be loud, electric, and utterly inhospitable to a team carrying so little attacking ambition. Chris Richards as the sweeper is the quiet key — he reads the game like a man who has time he never actually has, and against Australia's limited threat up front, he will be imperious.

Philadelphia gives the USA a fortress-like atmosphere tonight, and Australia's defensive shape — organized as it is — simply cannot absorb sixteen attacking phases against a forward line this dangerous on home soil. Pulisic will find the pockets between Australia's midfield and back four repeatedly, and Souttar, for all his aerial quality, will be dragged wider than he'd like by the sheer width and tempo of the American attack. The Socceroos are compact and disciplined — I respect that immensely — but this is a mismatch at the forward end that tactical discipline alone cannot fix. I attempted a proper Philly soft pretzel at the hotel this morning, lovely dough but I fear I over-salted the water bath — perhaps that is a sign of things to come for Australia tonight.