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USA vs. Australia, International Friendly: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, and Match Thread
The United States Women’s National Team is running out of time to start hitting on all cylinders prior to this summer’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. The next chance to do that is tonight against a very good Australian side at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO at 9 p.m. ET (FS1).
The USWNT is just 2-1-2 in 2019, although all of its matches in this calendar year have been against teams that are in the World Cup this summer. The Yanks are 25-1-3 against the Matildas in the series, having outscored Australia, 96-24. However, the U.S. has not won either of the two most recent meetings, drawing last year in the Tournament of Nations and losing in the same competition in 2017. The United States needed a late equalizer just to draw level in the 2018 meeting, which ended 1-1.
Australia, which enters at No. 6 in the current FIFA world rankings, features Orlando Pride teammates Emily Van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy, while the No. 1 USWNT has three of their teammates — Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris, and Ali Krieger. Morgan is just one goal shy of 100 for her international career, while Krieger will hope to get a pair of caps during this international window and reach the century mark in appearances. She has not been called up to the USWNT since 2017.
The Matildas have a lot of offensive weapons but also have been a difficult team for the U.S. to break down in recent years. Lindsey Horan’s 90th-minute goal last year was the only tally for the Yanks against Australia in the last two meetings. Obviously Sam Kerr is the most dangerous attacker for the Aussies, but the team has no lack of potential goal scorers, including former Pride forward Lisa De Vanna.
The United States has had some shaky moments in the back in recent games and hasn’t really played well yet in 2019. That must end if the team is going to be ready for the world stage this summer.
Rosters
USWNT (Caps/Goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC; 1/0), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 20/0), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 41/0).
Defenders (7): Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage; 35/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 17/1); Crystal Dunn (NC Courage; 80/24), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride; 98/1), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC; 153/0), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars; 27/0), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC; 30/0).
Midfielders (7): Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 77/18), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 64/7), Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit; 23/6), Allie Long (Reign FC; 40/6), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage; 45/8), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 11/0), McCall Zerboni (North Carolina Courage; 8/0).
Forwards (7): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 146/27); Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 269/105), Jessica McDonald (North Carolina Courage; 6/1), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 158/99), Christen Press (Utah Royals FC; 111/47), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit; 48/13), Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC; 149/43).
Australia (Caps/Goals)
Goalkeepers (3): 1-Lydia Williams (Reign FC: 76/0), 12-Teagan Micah (UCLA: 0/0), 18-Mackenzie Arnold (Brisbane Roar FC: 23/0).
Defenders (8): 2-Gema Simon (Newcastle Jets FC: 10/0), 4-Clare Polkinghorne (Houston Dash: 115/9), 5-Laura Alleway (Melbourne Victory FC: 60/2), 7-Steph Catley (Reign FC: 71/2), 14-Alanna Kennedy (Orlando Pride: 76/7), 21-Ellie Carpenter (Portland Thorns: 30/1), 22-Elizabeth Ralston (Sydney FC: 0/0), 23-Teigen Allen (Melbourne Victory FC: 40/0).
Midfielders (6): 3-Aivi Luik (Levante UD, Spain: 21/0), 6-Chloe Logarzo (Washington Spirit: 37/6), 8-Elise Kellond-Knight (Reign FC: 105/1), 10-Emily Van Egmond (Orlando Pride: 84/18), 13-Tameka Butt (Klepp IL, Norway: 77/10), 19-Katrina Gorry (Brisbane Roar FC: 72/14).
Forwards (6): 9-Caitlin Foord (Portland Thorns: 70/15), 11-Lisa De Vanna (Sydney FC: 146/46), 15-Emily Gielnik (Melbourne Victory FC: 27/7), 16-Hayley Raso (Portland Thorns: 33/3), 17-Mary Fowler (Bankstown City Lions FC: 3/0), 20-Samantha Kerr (Chicago Red Stars: 75/30).
How to Watch
Match Time: 9 p.m. (ET).
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park — Commerce City, CO.
TV: FS1.
Streaming: FOX Sports GO.
Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @StarsStripesFC, @ussoccer_wnt, and @TheManeLand.
Match Thread Rules
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Enjoy the match. Go America!