Socceroos midfielder Connor Metcalfe has had enough of the American barbs aimed at Australia ahead of the World Cup. With the Socceroos drawn in Group D alongside the co-hosts, the Aussies have been the target of scathing commentary from US pundits. Landon Donovan, a former striker, labeled Socceroos coach Tony Popovic as "smug" and predicted an early exit for Australia. Mike Grella, a CBS pundit, described Australia's fixture as a "lay-up" for the US side, ranked world No. 16. Former US international Alexi Lalas added fuel to the fire by calling the Socceroos an "average team" after their loss to Mexico. While Popovic has taken the jibes in stride, it's clear that the comments have affected his players. In a recent interview, Metcalfe expressed his frustration with the constant criticism, stating, "I’m just sick of it, to be honest. It’s just so much rubbish." He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the upcoming games rather than the noise from the US. The Socceroos are currently preparing for a friendly against Switzerland and their World Cup opener against Turkey. Metcalfe highlights the physical nature of the game against the US in October, where they suffered their first defeat under Popovic. He mentions the intense atmosphere and the potential for a similar match in the upcoming World Cup. Regarding Cristian Volpato's late change of allegiance, Metcalfe dismisses any potential issues within the squad, describing him as a "really nice, relaxed guy." Popovic also downplays the impact of Volpato's switch, emphasizing his fitness and potential contributions to the team. As the World Cup approaches, the Socceroos are determined to rise above the criticism and focus on their performance on the field.
