VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Australian midfielder Aiden O’Neill said the excitement of the 2026 World Cup was a major reason he left Belgium for the United States in his prime.
O'Neill joined New York City FC during the 2025 Major League Soccer season, sharing a locker room with fellow Australian Kai Trewin and several Americans including U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese.
After a season and a half as teammates, O’Neill and Freese have been thrown into the biggest roles of their lives. They'll be on opposite sides on Friday when Australia faces the United States in Seattle.
“We’re excited to play against each other,” O’Neill said. “It’d be good to get one up on him, that’s for sure.”
When manager Tony Popovic boldly left veterans Mathew Ryan and Jackson Irvine out of the starting XI for Australia’s group opener against Turkey, O’Neill quickly became the leader of the Socceroos’ four-man midfield. Meanwhile, Freese got the start in his first-ever World Cup match against Paraguay.
O'Neill joined New York City FC during the 2025 Major League Soccer season, sharing a locker room with fellow Australian Kai Trewin and several Americans including U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese.
After a season and a half as teammates, O’Neill and Freese have been thrown into the biggest roles of their lives. They'll be on opposite sides on Friday when Australia faces the United States in Seattle.
“We’re excited to play against each other,” O’Neill said. “It’d be good to get one up on him, that’s for sure.”
When manager Tony Popovic boldly left veterans Mathew Ryan and Jackson Irvine out of the starting XI for Australia’s group opener against Turkey, O’Neill quickly became the leader of the Socceroos’ four-man midfield. Meanwhile, Freese got the start in his first-ever World Cup match against Paraguay.
5 months ago
