OAKLAND: The Socceroos are now in full preparation mode for Dallas Stadium, three years after last playing at the famed arena and if it’s anything like last time, a “weird” atmosphere could follow.
That’s according to Connor Metcalfe, who played in that 2-2 friendly draw against Mexico in September 2023.
A general view of Dallas Stadium during the Argentina and Austria clash. Getty
Metcalfe is a chance to start again in Dallas, although predicting Tony Popovic’s lineup is becoming a tough task.
Metcalfe scored in the first match against Türkiye but was benched to face USA. He returned to the starting side against Paraguay, which ended as a nil-all draw.
Speaking to reporters from the Socceroos’ Oakland base on Sunday afternoon (Monday morning AEST), Metcalfe explained why it could get weird in Dallas if the last match is anything to go by.
“It’s an amazing stadium, it was a bit of weird one, I remember for some reason they had a DJ playing during our game,” he said.
“I don’t know why but every time Maty Ryan got the ball they would start playing a song, which was a bit weird.
“But it’s an amazing stadium and the facilities are incredible.”
The current DJ at Dallas Stadium – home of the NFL’s iconic Cowboys franchise – is Jesus “DJ Chuy” Salazar, while NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has previousy played too during a college football playoff quarter-final between Miami Hurricanes and Ohio State Buckeyes last December.
The beat the Socceroos play to could be different to the one against Paraguay in the final group stage match with both teams appearing happy to settle for a draw.
Mo Salah – who is currently under an injury cloud – will lead Egypt’s search for victory and is sure to present a different challenge to the South Americans.
Metcalfe explained that the Socceroos’ opponent hasn’t been discussed yet with the focus on recovery.
However, he did admit Egypt’s style of play could play into his side’s hands.
“It could suit us, the way we set up. We’re pretty good off the counter, so we could shock them a little bit,” he said.
“We haven’t gone into that much detail, we’ve only seen a glimpse of the Iran game at the end and that was just chaotic.”
Metcalfe also agreed there’s a sense of revenge for him personally after he was part of Australia’s under 23s side that lost to Egypt in the 2021 Olympics.
Conor Metcalfe against Paraguay. Matthew Huang
“They were quite a big, physical team. I remember it being really humid and hot (in Japan) and we didn’t play our best game and they ruined our dream,” he said.
Metcalfe himself has welcomed playing minutes for the Socceroos after a season that was interrupted by injury at St. Pauli.
A knee issue ruled him out for eight matches but the lack of starting time was the real problem for Metcalfe who constantly played off the bench.
The midfielder admitted there was some “inner anger” bubbling away at him in clubland.
“It’s been nice, it’s the biggest stage of the world. It has been a release of build up I’ve been feeling in the season and being able to let it out on the pitch and enjoy the moment and not really be nervous and get on with it,” he said.
“I think it’s really helped me to be honest, there’s been a lot of inner anger from the season so it’s probably benefited me.”