Forget the confected World Cup hostility, the US and Australia mirror each other (opens original article in a new tab)

The US and Australia's World Cup clash reflects their shared struggles and similarities in growing soccer's popularity, despite cultural challenges and stigma.

• The US and Australia face off in a World Cup match, highlighting their shared challenges in growing soccer's popularity.
• Both countries have soccer as a less dominant sport compared to other major leagues, despite its grassroots participation.
• Soccer in both nations faces cultural stigma and lack of respect, but is seen as a unifying force among diverse communities.