I see Waine, Kosta and Mata as competing for 2 spots.
Disagree re Kosta's 2026 WC chances. I think his best bet is staying with the Nix, regardless of whether Chiefy is in charge or not. He's 35 and is no guarantee another ALM club will look at him (is he a visa player with Aussie clubs?)
He's personally done well under Italiano. A career resurgence.
7 goals in 18 games to date this season
13 goals last season
The 2 seasons in the ALM prior last season, were decidely average for Barba, plus he had that inglorious sending off in the Costa Rica playoff. Dropped from the AWs for about a year, and his international days looked over. It was his return to goal scoring under Chiefy that got him back into the AWs.
Only 2 goals in 24 games under Uffie when returning to the Nix 22/23 season
1 goal in 11 games in his last (injury plagued) 21/22 season at SFC
Disagree re Kosta's 2026 WC chances. I think his best bet is staying with the Nix, regardless of whether Chiefy is in charge or not. He's 35 and is no guarantee another ALM club will look at him (is he a visa player with Aussie clubs?)
He's personally done well under Italiano. A career resurgence.
7 goals in 18 games to date this season
13 goals last season
The 2 seasons in the ALM prior last season, were decidely average for Barba, plus he had that inglorious sending off in the Costa Rica playoff. Dropped from the AWs for about a year, and his international days looked over. It was his return to goal scoring under Chiefy that got him back into the AWs.
Only 2 goals in 24 games under Uffie when returning to the Nix 22/23 season
1 goal in 11 games in his last (injury plagued) 21/22 season at SFC