But there is no denying the similarities between the two growing soccer nations.
In both countries, the code is exceptionally popular at youth level, but those participation numbers aren't reflected in interest in the domestic league.
In the US, American football (both the NFL and at college level), the NBA and Major League Baseball monster the MLS for interest.
Sound familiar?
For Socceroos pair Aiden O'Neill and Kai Trewin, hailing from a country where Australian Rules football, rugby league and cricket are all bigger domestic sports than the struggling A-League Men, it certainly does.
New York City FC duo O'Neill and Trewin played in front of sparse crowds for Melbourne City, despite the club winning trophies and producing multiple Socceroos.
Trewin noted bar the US media being "a bit harsh towards their national team", compared to a general feeling of positivity around the Socceroos, there were plenty of similarities.
"American people love sports in general," Trewin said.
"So obviously you can see now the World Cup's on, how every stadium's been full. Most of the MLS games, there's lots of people in the crowd, but they aren't as full as the stadiums here and they're 60-70,000 seat stadiums.
"For us, you see at home the Australian people are really getting around it. Obviously it would be nicer if there was more people in stadiums in the A-League when the A-League's on.
"But obviously the support is felt by us. As Australians, you always get around the Socceroos ... it doesn't matter what sports team it is, but you always get around your fellow Australians.
"That's similar to what they are like over here as well."
Trewin moved from Melbourne City to New York in January, seeking the step-up the league provided.
O'Neill joined from Belgian club Standard Liege last April, with an eye to the World Cup being played in the US, and has felt the momentum shift.
"It's starting to change - similar to Australia - I think it's starting to change here in America," O'Neill said.
"Obviously, you've got some massive other sports, but it's starting to grow in popularity."
The Socceroos pair have copped some banter, but Trewin jokes many of their South American teammates have preferred to get stuck into US goalkeeper Matt Freese.
"I hope we get a positive result against them, but for the rest of the tournament I wish him the best," Trewin said.
O'Neill added: "It'd be good to get one up on him."
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