Popovic happy to let USA ‘shoot their mouths off’ as Socceroos plot an upset

Never before have the Socceroos been drawn in the same group at the World Cup as a predominantly English-speaking nation, something Popovic said had made the build-up so far “enjoyable” - but the ongoing trash talk is only flowing in one direction, with seemingly no shortage of outspoken American media figures ready to say exactly what they think about Australia’s chances.

Popovic has also come in for personal criticism. Landon Donovan, who played 157 times for the United States, accused the coach of “smugness” because he said he was satisfied with Australia’s draw for the World Cup when it was conducted in December.

Donovan then tipped the Socceroos to finish bottom of Group D, saying on Fox Sports: “Thanks for coming, Aussies. And your smug coach, you can get back on the Qantas airplane and head back home, pal.”

“I actually didn’t see it at all, and then a few people mentioned it to me, and then eventually I got people to show me,” he told this masthead.

“They’re not shy to speak their mind, the Americans, regardless of what it is, whether it’s sport, life ... they’re very patriotic for their country. We’ve always had a good rivalry against the Americans, and they’re not shy to shoot their mouths off and say what they think.

“We’ve got a chance to shoot our mouths off as well, but do it on the field. I anticipate that our talking will be loud and clear on the pitch.”

Popovic, however, is reluctant to use external views on the Socceroos to help fire up his players - as helpfully suggested by Lalas in an interview with this masthead - and said he’d be disappointed if they didn’t already think they had a point to prove.

Few outside of Australia believe this team is capable of getting out of a group which also features a talent-stacked Turkey, plus a resilient Paraguayan side which defeated Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay during CONMEBOL qualifying.

Being written off is nothing new for the Socceroos, who were the subject of similarly dire predictions four years ago, and then knocked off Tunisia and Denmark before pushing eventual world champions Argentina all the way in the round of 16.

“I’d hate to think that this group needs their coach to single out things that are being said about them,” Popovic said.

“We already know that we’re not expected to go through. We already know that we’re expected to be the weakest nation in the group. We don’t need extra motivation for that.

“We’re still trying to punch above our weight. We all dream of that day [when] the expectation is that we’re fighting with the best nations in the world. We’re not there yet, b