Sydney: The Matildas have locked in one of several international friendly matches in 2019 in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Alen Stajcic’s charges will return to the United States of America (USA) in April 2019 for an international friendly against hosts USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
Australia and the USA – who will both feature at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France – have played 28 international matches since their first meeting in 1987, and last met at this year’s Tournament of Nations at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Connecticut in July.
In the last match between the sides a clinical first half Chloe Logarzo strike was cancelled out by Lindsey Horan’s late second half header as the game ended all square.
Matildas head coach Stajcic, who is currently enroute to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Draw in Paris, said playing against the current top ranked nation in the world ahead of June’s tournament will offer his side a great preparation leading into the tournament.
July 27, 2017.
After the 27th time of trying, we finally defeated the United States.
What a moment this was. #GoMatildas
Our best moments against USA: https://t.co/SHmeg3J72C pic.twitter.com/Cipqyw14Jc
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) December 7, 2018
“The USA are one of the favourites to win next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup so it is fantastic that we will be able to play them just a couple of months before the start of the tournament in France,” Stajcic said.
"Come April next year many of our players will be playing their club football in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), so it also makes sense from a logistical perspective to arrange a camp and friendly in North America as we continue to prepare for the World Cup.
“We expect to play a further five or six matches prior to the start of next year’s World Cup,” he said.
Additional Matildas matches to be played both at home and abroad in the lead up to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France will be announced in due course.
The draw for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held on Sunday in Paris, France.
Source: Football Federation of Australia, AFP
Source: the-afc.com