VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Australian midfielder Aiden O’Neill says the excitement of the 2026 World Cup was the main reason he left Belgium for the United States in his prime.
O’Neal joined New York City FC during the 2025 Major League Soccer season and shared a locker room with several Americans, including fellow Australian Kai Trewin and U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freeze.
After a season and a half as teammates, O’Neal and Freese were appointed to the biggest role of their lives. They will be on opposite sides when Australia take on the United States in Seattle on Friday.
“We’re excited to play against each other,” O’Neal said. “It’s good to get one shot against him, that’s for sure.”
When coach Tony Popovich boldly left veterans Matthew Ryan and Jackson Irvine out of Australia’s starting XI, Group opener against TurkeyO’Neill quickly became the leader of the Socceroos’ four-man midfield. Frees, on the other hand, started in the first World Cup match. Paraguay match.
strong start
O’Neal and Freeze both shined in their World Cup debuts, contributing to the victory. When the teammates meet again on Friday, the result could decide who leads Group D.
Defender Trewyn, who has also been selected for NYCFC and Australia’s World Cup squad, did not play in the 2-0 win over Turkey, but added: “I have never wanted to win more than this game.”
NYCFC reached the MLS Cup Playoffs semifinals in 2025 with O’Neal and Freese as starters. Trewyn joins the 2026 starting lineup after transferring from Australia, with the team currently in the playoffs once again during the league’s World Cup hiatus.
Now, the matchup between the Australians and Americans will likely be the biggest match yet for all three.
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Ben Kule is a student at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
