Preview: USA v Australia
- Bonita
- Apr 4, 2019
- 3 min read
The Matildas started the year with turmoil with the sacking of former coach Alen Stajcic, while the number one ranked team in the world, the USA, have had a solid preparation for their title defence at France 2019.
Coached by Jill Ellis, who has been in the job since 2014, the US team’s games this year – billed as the Countdown to the Cup– are part of a ten-match program to prepare them for the World Cup finals.
Despite their number one ranking, their results have told a different story of a team that is yet to find its traditionally dominating groove.
While Australia was dealing with the fallout of the Stajcic sacking on 19 January, the US played France (#4) in France and lost 3-1. A few days later they travelled to Spain (#13) where they defeated the Spanish women 0-1.
In February, they hosted former champions Japan (#7) in Pennsylvania for a 2-2 draw, while in March they met England (#3) and Brazil (#10) in the She Believes Cup for another 2-2 draw and 1-0 win respectively.
Australia’s three matches so far this year were in the Cup of Nations on home soil where we played New Zealand (#19), Argentina (#37) and South Korea (#14) for a clean sweep of wins under new coach, Ante Milicic. The Matildas won 2-0, 4-1 and 3-0 respectively.
For the US, this match in Denver against Australia is their sixth game of 2019, and it is the fourth for the Matildas.
A few days after the match, the US will meet Belgium in Los Angeles, before South Africa, Mexico and an unnamed third team as part of a ‘send-off series’ in California, Missouri and New Jersey in May.
The Matildas are yet to name an opponent between now and their first match in the World Cup against Italy on 9 June. However, we do know that they’re heading to Turkey for a training camp in May and are expected to play at least one friendly match in that time.
Head-to-head
Despite the US team’s average results (for them) – albeit against quality opposition all of whom are World Cup bound – history is on their side with the Matildas.
The US has a record of 24-1-3 against Australia dating back to 1987, and has outscored Australia 96-24, only allowing more than one goal against the Matildas on four occasions.
Australia’s only victory against the US came at the 2017 Tournament of Nations (ToN) with a 1-0 win. At the 2018 ToN, the US bounced back with a 3-1 win.
Before the last two meetings at the ToN, the most recent meeting between the teams was at the 2015 Women’s World Cup in the opening game of the tournament for both teams which the US won 3-1. They went on to win the 2015 World Cup after drawing with Sweden, and also defeating Nigeria, Colombia, China, Germany and Japan.
For Australia, despite the new coach, there isn’t much change in personnel with 14 of the 15 players at least year’s ToN in the squad including all 11 starters. It is a similar situation for the US with 15 of the 16 players the same, including 10 starters.
Two to watch
For USA: Striker Alex Morgan scored her 99th goal for the national team in February, so her next goal will be her 100th. At age 29, she is seventh in the all-time goal scoring list for the US women’s team.
For Australia: Defender Elizabeth Ralston, 23, is expected to make her Matildas debut and get a chance to show Milicic what she is capable of, after her dominant form for Sydney FC in the W-League season.
The match will be played at 12.30pm AEDT on Friday and broadcast live on FOX Sports.
