Patrick Beach’s World Cup heroics are set to earn him a dream move to one of Europe’s top-five leagues, while an MLS club has confirmed two fellow Socceroos have undergone ankle surgery.
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SOCCEROOS STAR SET FOR DREAM MOVE
Patrick Beach’s stunning FIFA World Cup breakout is set to earn him a dream move to one of Europe’s top-five leagues.
According to French outlet L’Est Éclair, the 22-year-old Socceroos goalkeeper is expected to join newly promoted Ligue 1 side Troyes after emerging as one of Australia’s breakout stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beach shocked many when he was named Australia’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of long-time captain Mathew Ryan for the Socceroos’ tournament opener, but quickly justified the decision with a string of outstanding performances.
The Melbourne City shot-stopper retained his place as Australia’s first-choice goalkeeper throughout the Socceroos’ run to the Round of 32, establishing himself as one of the tournament’s breakout stars.
Troyes is part of the City Football Group, which owns 12 clubs worldwide, including English giants Manchester City, MLS outfit New York City FC and Melbourne City, where Beach has developed into one of Australia’s brightest young talents.
During the group stage, Beach kept two clean sheets while conceding just two goals before producing another composed display in Australia’s Round of 32 clash against Egypt.
SOCCEROOS DUO UNDERGO SURGERY, AS O’NEILL HEROICS EXPOSED
Australia’s World Cup heroes Aiden O’Neill and Kai Trewin have suffered a major setback, with New York City FC confirming both Socceroos have undergone ankle surgery.
The MLS club announced on social media that O’Neill and Trewin had successfully undergone surgery and will begin their rehabilitation immediately under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.
“Aiden O’Neill and Kai Trewin have successfully undergone surgery on their left and right ankles, respectively, and will begin rehab immediately with Club medical staff.
“Everyone at the Club wishes them the best as they begin their recovery.”
The club did not provide a timeline for either player’s return.
It remains unclear when the pair suffered their respective injuries, although O’Neill had been managing an ankle issue after sustaining an injury in early May, just weeks before the FIFA World Cup.
Despite that setback, both players featured during Australia’s run to the Round of 32 before the Socceroos were eliminated by Egypt.
O’Neill was one of Australia’s standout performers throughout the tournament and was named Player of the Match following the Socceroos’ group-stage victory over Paraguay. He ran 47.3km and started every single game for Australia with his bad ankle, in a stunning act of bravery and endurance.
The midfielder has made 11 appearances for NYCFC this season, registering three assists, while Trewin has featured 18 times since arriving from Melbourne City in January, scoring once and adding two assists.
Meanwhile, NYCFC president Brad Sims also confirmed the club would welcome the opportunity to sign United States star Christian Pulisic, although he admitted AC Milan has shown no willingness to part with the attacking midfielder.
“If you ask any of my 29 counterparts across the league if they would be interested in having Christian Pulisic on their team, I’m pretty sure you’d get 29 yesses,” Sims said.
“Would MLS from a league standpoint love to have Christian Pulisic here? I think the answer to that would be yes.
“If AC Milan doesn’t want to give him up, then it’s dead in the water.
“And so I think ultimately we’re believers that Christian wants to play in MLS, wants to be back home and at whatever the point in time that is, we would think and hope that New York City FC would be very high on his list of teams that he would want to play for.”