SheBelieves Cup: USA v Australia Match Recap

Photo Credit: US Soccer

A stacked line up for both opponents; only one can win. This match was full of pressure on both sides. With both Starting XI’s being full talent, with rising stars, and many well-known players.

Both teams headed into this game, with the clear aim to win. Not even 1 minute into the game, the pressure is increased on the Australian’s, with a goal by Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams) in the 43rd second of the game, already giving the United States Women’s National Team a vital head start. This goal was assisted by Racing Louisville player Emma Sears. With many events happening in this game such as the many fouls, corners, throw-ins and saves.

Already, in the 7th minute, Biyendolo tried to get 2 ahead of the Matildas, by netting an incredible goal; unfortunately, as the Offside Flag was shown. In the 15th minute of the game, Biyendolo takes another shot at goal, resulting in an unsuccessful attempt and a save by Teagan Micah. During the 28th minute, A.Thompson had another shot at goal, again blocked by Liverpool keeper Teagan Micah.

All this action continued in the Second half, with even more goals.

With this being the Matildas first time being invited into the SheBelieves Cup, and having lost in the Olympic Group Stage, many Matildas fans were eagerly watching this match, having hope that the Matildas can break an 8-year streak of losses and draws with the USWNT. In addition to this, as the tournament is based in the United States, drawing a bigger American crowd. With this home force behind them, they had an increasingly big motivator to perform their best.

Half time is over and both teams are ready for even more agility from the opposition.

Already in the 62nd minute, the USWNT made four substitutions, with this including:

62’ Crystal Dunn off, Ally Sentnor subbed on

62’ Alyssa Thompson off, Michelle Cooper subbed on

62’ Emma Sears off, Yazmeen Ryan subbed on

62’ Lynn Biyendolo off, Tara McKeown subbed on

These changes and fresh legs on the pitch motivated The Matildas to make more subs, increasing the level of competitiveness.

The substitutions at this point included:

64’ Holly McNamara off, Michelle Heyman subbed on

64’ Mary Fowler off, Alana Murphy subbed on

After these substitutions, the USWNT’s Michelle Cooper scored after 6 minutes since being subbed on.

After this goal, both teams chose to introduce even more subs. There were :

70’ Claire Hutton out, Sam Coffey subbed on

74’ Steph Catley out, Emily van Egmond subbed on

74’ Caitlin Foord off, Kaitlin Torpey subbed on

77’ Gisele Thompson off, Emily Fox subbed on

80’ Alanna Kennedy off, Natasha Prior subbed on

81’ Kyra Cooney-Cross off, Laini Freier subbed on

In all the chaos of the substitutions, Charli Grant ended up getting a yellow card in the 72nd minute of the game. Not even 10 minutes after this card, Michelle Heyman found herself with the opportunity to score, and she took it like a pro. With an assist from Hayley Raso, the Australian’s found a fresh hope. The game then ended in a 2-1 win to the USWNT, leading them being tied first on the table, with Japan Women’s National Team.