World Cup: Felix Zwayer debuts as United States and Australia target Round of 32

Co-hosts the United States and Australia hope to continue their solid start to the World Cup when they go head-to-head in Seattle. Mauricio Pochettino’s side produced one of the best performances of the first round in their 4-1 victory over Paraguay, while Australia followed that up with a surprising 2-0 win against Turkey.

St. Pauli’s Connor Metcalfe scored the goal that sealed the three points after the “Man of the Match” Nestory Irankunda, who could still return to FC Bayern courtesy of a buyback option from Watford, put the Aussies in front. Surprisingly, both players have been dropped to the bench by Tony Popovic. St. Pauli’s captain Jackson Irvine will also hope for a cameo appearance, while Bundesliga veteran Matthew Leckie gets his first start.

Gio Reyna put the cherry on the cake in USMNT’s winning start with a trivela, but he’ll start on the bench once again. Malik Tillman keeps his place in midfield, while ex-Bundesliga players Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Ricardo Pepi are also in the starting lineup. However, Christian Pulisic couldn’t recover in time for tonight’s game after suffering a calf injury in the first-half against Paraguay.

Felix Zwayer will officiate the game for his World Cup debut. The 45-year-old Berlin-native will be supported by the only German refereeing team, including Bastian Dankert on duty at the VAR booth.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game at Lumen Field.

Confirmed United States vs. Australia Lineups

United States: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream ©; Dest, Adams, Tillman, Robinson; McKennie, Balogun, Pepi

Australia: Beach; Bos, Circati, Souttar ©, Burgess, Italiano; Velupillay, Okon-Engstler, O'Neill, Leckie; Touré