- Tillies looking to rebound from record thrashing by Japan
- Will face their toughest assignment of the tournament
- Here is everything you need to know about US showdown
The Matildas are set to take on the United States Women’s National Team [USWNT] in their second match of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup on Monday [AEDT].
After a tough opening match against Japan, Australia will be looking to bounce back against the tournament favourites, but they will have their work cut out for them.
The Matildas were thrashed 4-0 by Japan in their tournament debut and have had little time to find answers as they face an even sterner challenge.
Defender Ellie Carpenter admitted ‘It was a bad performance from us’.
‘We need to be able to regroup and re-focus on our next game against the US.
‘I think we all weren’t on the same page with the press … it wasn’t good enough tonight.
‘I think just on the pitch we weren’t gelling. Obviously Japan are a great team, they rotate so much, their movement is incredible, technically they’re amazing.’
Match Details
The Matildas face a massive task to regroup after being thrashed 4-0 by Japan in the opening match of the SheBelieves Cup
The Matildas will go into the match against USWNT at almost full strength, with injured former skipper Sam Kerr the most noticeable absence
- Fixture: Matildas vs USWNT
- Date: Sunday, 23 February (local) / Monday, 24 February (AEDT)
- Kick-off: 3.05pm MST / 9.05am AEDT
- Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Broadcast: Live on Paramount+
Head-to-Head Record
- Total meetings: 35
- USWNT wins: 29
- Draws: 5
- Matildas wins: 1 (2017, 1-0 win with Tameka Butt scoring the only goal)
- Last meeting: Paris 2024 Olympics group stage – USWNT won 2-1
Recent Form
The US side has a commanding record against the Matlidas and will present their toughest challenge in the tournament
Ellie Carpenter will be looking to tighten up the back line after the Matildas defence let them down against Japan
Matildas:
- Opened the tournament with a 4-0 loss to Japan
- Struggled defensively, conceding in the first six minutes
- Interim coach Tom Sermanni acknowledged the team was ‘poor in a lot of areas’
- Missing Sam Kerr due to injury
USWNT:
- Opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Colombia
- Goals from Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor
- Unbeaten under head coach Emma Hayes
- Preparing for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Predicted Line-ups
Australia:
- Mackenzie Arnold (gk)
- Clare Hunt
- Steph Catley (c)
- Caitlin Foord
- Mary Fowler
- Tameka Yallop
- Alanna Kennedy
- Hayley Raso
- Katrina Gorry
- Ellie Carpenter
- Kyra Cooney-Cross
USWNT:
- Mandy McGlynn (gk)
- Tierna Davidson
- Emily Sams
- Claire Hutton
- Crystal Dunn
- Sam Coffey
- Lindsey Heaps (c)
- Jaedyn Shaw
- Yazmeen Ryan
- Lynn Biyendolo
- Alyssa Thompson
What the Coaches Say
USWNT coach Emma Hayes is confident her side can get the job done against Australia
Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni knows they have a massive mountain to climb
Emma Hayes (USWNT head coach):
‘I feel calm about the position we’re in but also excitement about the potential.’
‘The best structured your teams are, especially at the higher level, the better they feel about expressing themselves within it.’
Tom Sermanni (Matildas interim head coach):
‘Japan was very good. It was a bit of a football lesson, if I’m honest.’
‘It was pretty frustrating, but it gives us a lesson for next time.’
Key Players to Watch
- Matildas: Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter
- USWNT: Catarina Macario, Ally Sentnor, Lily Yohannes
How to Watch
- Live stream: Paramount+
- TV Broadcast: Available in Australia via Paramount+
- Kick-off time: 9.05am AEDT (Monday, 24 February)
The Challenge Ahead
The Matildas face a significant challenge against the USWNT, a team that has dominated their past encounters.
Australia struggled in their first match against Japan and will need a much-improved performance to compete against the well-structured American squad.
With the final match of the tournament against Colombia still to come, this is a crucial game for the Matildas to regain momentum and confidence.
Can the Matildas defy history and secure a result, or will the USWNT continue their dominance? All eyes will be on Glendale as the action unfolds.
