Thousands gather to watch Socceross take on USA

Thousands of Socceroos fans and a handful of USA fans have packed into live sites across the country to watch the nations clash at the World Cup.

The USA won the match 2-0 after goals in the first half, but the Socceroos put in a much-improved performance in the second half.

The live site at Federation Square in Melbourne is traditionally the biggest in the country and that was again the case, despite early morning drizzle.

Organisers said 7,000 people streamed into the site and the gates were closed about an hour before kick-off, with hundreds of fans directed to another nearby site to watch the game.

Some fans had waited in line for several hours.

"We've been here since 11:30pm waiting in line," said one fan who was optimistic before the game.

"Socceroos mate, three-nil. Easy," he said.

Despite the heavy security, some people were able to smuggle flares into the site.

Former Socceroo Craig Foster, who was MC at the Federation Square live site, urged fans with flares not to set them off.

"We want to be here for every match," he said.

More than 1,000 fans gathered at the Parramatta Square live site in Sydney, where the weather at least was a bit more welcoming.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sent his support to the Socceroos via social media.

"You might not have a home crowd , but you've got the noise of a nation behind you," he said on X.

The live site at Brisbane's Southbank was well attended, with thousands of people turning up to watch the game.

Security escorted several people from the site after flares were set off towards the end of the match.

Police said a 20-year-old man was charged with public nuisance after he was caught with a flare.

More than 800 flocked to Hobart's live theatre The Odeon for a watch party organised by Dark Lab in collaboration with City of Hobart and ABC Hobart.

The party was only organised this week, after ABC local radio highlighted that there was nowhere in the city for soccer fans to watch the match.

Tickets were snapped up in just 40 minutes when they were released on Thursday, prompting an additional 100 to be released yesterday.

"It's pretty awesome to have finally somewhere to watch the game in Hobart. We've come from the deep of Huon Valley, got up at a quarter to 3 and we're ready," said fan Liam Moschberger.

In Canberra, former MP Bill Shorten joined Governor-General Sam Mostyn and supporters at the University of Canberra to watch the game.

"They're up against the very best in the world," Ms Mostyn said.

"The most important thing for them to know is back here in Australia, all Aussies are saying 'go Socceroos'."

The disappointing half-time scoreline did see some people leave the Federation Square site early and head home.

"Honestly, just really disappointed with the boys' effort in the first half. I think the line-up going in needs some work and I just thought they need to put a better effort in," one said.

"Been here since midnight and been in the line for three hours, so a bit disappointed."

It took just a few minutes for Federation Square to empty as disappointed Socceroos fans trudged out of the venue.

"[I'm] surprised that both the goal scorers last game were on the bench, which was a bit weird," one fan said.

"I really think we could have beat the US today, but some days you just lose. It happens."