USMNT must clear new bar as Australia awaits in second game of World Cup group stage

SEATTLE — As big as the U.S.national team’s World Cup opening win was, it merely provided a chance — a golden opportunity to be soccer’s golden generation. Now they must cash in and earn it. A victory Friday against Australia — one they might have to pull off with Christian Pulisic sidelined — would guarantee a spot in knockout play and the U.S.

would lead the group going into its group-play finale with Turkey.Winning the group would provide an easier path for a deep World Cup run that could change the sport in this country. “We’re starting to see in the U.S … the kind of support and fandom we see in Europe,” U.S.

manager Mauricio Pochettino said.“The U.S.

is starting to realize the importance, well, the power of soccer on society.We’re starting to see in America what we see as a society in Spain, Argentina and Brazil.

But it is still very young here in the U.S.Think about the possibility for a child watching the World Cup to say he wants to play soccer, and now in a culture that embraces that. “It’s an important starting point for people who want this sport to grow.

Our soccer players on the U.S.team are creating a role for that now, and are fundamental.

… They have 26 heroes with the U.S.team that will affect the youth here in the U.S.

with their performance in this World Cup and the future of football here.We can change the future of this sport.

The other day you saw how super the fanbase is in basketball in the NBA Finals with the Knicks.We can do the same with football.

We have to continue to play well and bring attention to this sport.” Pochettino — an Argentine answering in Spanish — was hired to bring the U.S.to new levels.

He watched 2 million people turn out to celebrate the Knicks on Thursday and is acutely aware of how his own team has captured fans and raised the bar. Now they must clear the new one. “Depends how far we come,” fullback Sergiño Dest said.“If we continue to play like [we did] ag...