USA, Brazil, Scotland Headline Big World Cup Slate: What To Know For Match Day 9

Teams continue to take important steps in their World Cup journeys as the second round of group stage games continues on Friday. Co-hosts the United States and Australia will both be looking to build off impressive opening wins in Group D when they face off in Seattle. If the Americans win, the groundswell of support for the team inside the country can only grow. 

Focus will then shift to Group C when Scotland and its passionate fans return to Boston Stadium after an opening win to take on a powerful Morocco team that still has hopes for a long run. The third game takes us to Philadelphia, where Brazil will look to calm its nerves after an opening draw when it takes on a Haiti team that played fearlessly in its opening loss.

The night will conclude in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Paraguay and Türkiye will both be desperate for wins after disappointing Group D opening games. 

When: Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. ET
Where: Seattle
TV: FOX
Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

Group D returns to action on Friday for its second round of games and days best game takes us to Seattle Stadium when co-hosts the United States takes on Australia. It is the only game of the day that features two teams who each have three points from their first match. 

The United States dominated Paraguay 4-1 last week in Los Angeles through a near flawless first half that featured two goals from Folarin Balogun. But it was a total team effort from Mauricio Pochettinos squad as Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie won nearly every midfield battle. Christian Pulisic was a force driving the ball into the attack. Meanwhile, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream, and Chris Richards were very effective passing out of the backline. 

The concern for the U.S. team in this game centers on Pulisic, who was subbed out at halftime in the win over Paraguay after taking a knock. The indication coming out of the U.S. camp is that he should be able to play, but it wont be clear until gameday. 

Australia was one of the tournaments most surprising teams through the first slate of opening games after its 2-0 win over Türkiye in Vancouver. Turkey had a huge advantage in possession, but Australia scored two counterattacking goals in each half from its outside wingers. In the first half, it was Nestory Irankunda, 20, from the left side and then in the second half it was Connor Metcalfe, 26, from the right side. 

Manager Tony Popovic made key decisions that helped Australia win its opener. His boldest move came when, close to the first game, switched goalkeepers and went with the inexperienced Patrick Beach of Melbourne City over established veteran Matthew Ryan of Levante in Spains LaLiga. Ryan is the most experienced keeper in Australias national team history with 104 appearances (many as the teams captain) and experience in three World Cups. 

But the decision paid off as the young Beach was excellent against Türkiye, making eight saves for the clean-sheet win. 

Popovic also went with a very defensive 5-4-1 formation that helped his team contain Türkiyes superior talent. Australia was smart and disciplined in its defense. Australia was out-possessed 72-28% and out shot 30-9 but still won. 

For Australia, it will be difficult to keep that up without managing more possession. The key for the Socceroos will be stopping the U.S. teams attack from wide positions because Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest are key creators.