Now they can finally get their chance to answer the way they want to.
Australia have been talked down and written off over and over again since they were drawn in the same group as the United States back on December 6.
But all of a sudden, after stunning Turkey 2-0, the Socceroos' clash with the co-hosts at Seattle Stadium on Friday (5am Saturday AEST) could all but determine who tops Group D.
There are high stakes all round, but there are bragging rights too.
"I'm really excited for the US game," defender Jordan Bos told AAP ahead of the tournament.
"Because I've heard a lot of chatter and stuff like that.
"So I can't wait to beat them, to be honest."
The "chatter" has been relentless.
Former US player Alexi Lalas said of the co-host's fortunes: "If you believe in the soccer gods, you should be thanking them.
"I don't want to say it's an easy group, but we also have to be realistic with what we got here."
CBS pundit Mike Grella described the Australia fixture as a "lay-up", while former international Charlie Davies called the group "a dream scenario".
Former US forward Landon Donovan labelled coach Tony Popovic "smug" and tipped Australia to finish bottom of their group.
Popovic has laughed off the punditry, while for their part, US players have spent much of this week attempting to hose down the commentary and stress their respect for the Socceroos.
But the horse has well and truly bolted.
Australian didn't miss any of the punditry, given they are all on social media, and they've been taking notes for a long time.
After silencing Turkey first-up, Socceroos dynamo Nestory Irankunda declared of the US: "let them talk".
It's been a popular philosophy.
"At the end of the day, the talking's done on the field," defender Aziz Behich told AAP.
"It's all something to laugh at, it's a bit funny."
The animosity dates back to last October in Denver, Colorado, when the US won a so-called "friendly" match 2-1.
Australia set the tone physically from the outset, with crunching tackles and a fierce aggression that upset their opponents.
Tensions exploded on multiple occasions, with US defender Chris Richards among those throwing their weight around.
"They're lucky it was a friendly. I was ready to go. And if (the ref) didn't give me a shit yellow in the corner, I probably would've killed somebody," Richards told reporters post-match.
This week, American players have talked about coach Mauricio Pochettino drawing a line in the sand at halftime of that game, calling out his players for a relative lack of aggression.
"Maybe they didn't expect us to be as aggressive and on the front foot as we were," midfielder Aiden O'Neill, who plays for MLS club New York City FC, said.
"And that might have just surprised them a little bit, and they didn't quite like it."
The Socceroos are ready to make the US uncomfortable all over again, but know they face a stern test on the field.
Even if there is a fitness cloud over US playmaker Christian Pulisic (calf), there is still plenty of quality in a team that demolished Paraguay 4-1, led by striker Folarin Balogun.
The Socceroos are aware of a team that is smart, aggressive, explosive and well-organised.
But Australia are riding high after their own win built on an unbreachable defence and.
And perhaps even more importantly, they have a point to prove.
"I have never wanted to win a game more than this one, I can tell you that for free," New York-based defender Kai Trewin said.Â
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