Tony Popovic has a clear message for the USA and Australia's other World Cup opponents: a "rude shock" awaits anyone who underestimates the Socceroos.
The Socceroos will take on hosts USA, Paraguay and one of Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo in next year's World Cup group stages after avoiding football's biggest guns in the draw in Washington DC.
World No.26 Australia avoided world champions Argentina, European champions and world No.1 Spain, plus fellow top-four teams France and England, in the 48-team finals hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Tony Popovic's charges will relish a marquee match-up with Mauricio Pochettino's world No.14 -ranked American side in Seattle - the first time they have played a host nation since 1974 in Germany.
Australia's draw, against three new World Cup opponents, will give the Socceroos belief they can again reach the knockouts.
There is even more incentive to deliver after the hosts greeted the draw with joyous optimism and high expectations.
Former US player Alexi Lalas said: "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 Grellas described the Australia fixture as a "lay-up" while former international Charlie Davies called the group "a dream scenario".
"I'm sure every Australian would disagree with that, and so we should, but I'm not surprised by those comments," Popovic said.
"You know, if you're the US and you look at the draw, you're the host nation, you're playing at home, you want to fancy yourself to be able to get through.
"But that shouldn't stop us from believing we can get through the group as well - and we'll go into it with a lot of optimism and confidence."
But Popovic later made it clear the Socceroos are playing for keeps.
"Anyone that underestimates us, I think will get a rude shock when it comes to those group games," he said.
Australia suffered a 2-1 defeat to the US in Colorado in October.
That was a fiery, spiteful affair and US defender Chris Richards said post-match if he wasnt on a yellow card, he "probably would've killed somebody".
"I think he exaggerated a little bit there," Popovic said.
"But yeah, look, two competitive teams. The game was played in a very competitive spirit. There was nothing friendly, really, about the match.
"Yeah, it was a good indicator for us. It's why we wanted to play the US and Canada.
"We experienced everything we wanted to logistically. We experienced altitude, a tough opponent. We played well in the match and we get to do it again, and this time a lot more at stake, World Cup and a host nation.
"So it's quite special, and I'm sure it'll be a fantastic match."
US president Donald Trump was in attendance when Australia were drawn against the hosts at Kennedy Centre on Friday (Saturday morning AEDT), where he became the first recipient of FIFA's newly created 'Peace Prize'.
The Socceroos won't learn their third group-stage opponent until late March, when the European play-offs are completed.
In UEFA play-off path C, world No.25 Turkey tackle No.47 Romania and No.45 Slovakia take on Kosovo (No.80), before the winners of those ties face off in their play-off final for a spot in world No.26 Australia's group.
Teams will receive confirmation of group match venues and dates on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT) but given the Socceroos are in the US's pool, they will be on North America's west coast.
That will mean a change in planning for base camp after Popovic previously eyed off hotter, more central locations.
The US kick off their tournament against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12 (local time), with Australia to start their adventure against their as yet unknown European opponents in Canada the next day at Vancouver's BC Place.
Popovic's men then face the US at Lumen Field, Seattle, on June 19 before tackling Paraguay in California at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara on June 25.
"We feel like everyone else in the group - that it's a group that you can get out of," Popovic said.
"I'm sure every nation looks at the teams and says, 'OK, we're a chance', and we're no different."
The Socceroos have played the US four times, for one win, one draw and two losses.
Australia are unbeaten in five clashes - two wins, three draws - against world No.39 Paraguay.
That included Popovic's final game as a Socceroo in 2006, when he scored in a 1-1 draw.
The Socceroos have never faced Kosovo, have played Turkey twice for two losses, have one defeat against Romania and one draw against Slovakia.
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
SOCCEROOS' GROUP FOR THE WORLD CUP FINALS
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C winner (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo)
SOCCEROOS' FIXTURES (times AEST)
* June 14 - Australia v UEFA Playoff C winner at BC Place, Vancouver
* June 20 - Australia v United States at Lumen Field, Seattle
* June 26 - Australia v Paraguay at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara.
