Matildas set to take on USA

Football Federation Australia has announced today the Matildas will take on World number one ranked United States of America next month in California.

Arranged for the USA team’s post-Olympic return, the match will kick off at 12:30pm local time on September 16 (September 17, 5:30am AEST).

In search of their first ever win against the US, the Matildas will be looking to turn the tables on the superstar USA side this time around following some close matches in the sides last meetings.

The USA currently hold an impressive record against Australia winning 20 and drawing two of the sides 22 A-Internationals to date.

Still missing the likes of Heather Garriock (pregnant), Ellise Kellond-Knight (knee) and Lydia Williams (knee) for the match the Matildas will be boosted by the availability of players recently finishing up their seasons in the WPSL (US) including striker Kyah Simon who came second (12 goals) for the league’s Golden Boot and Emily van Egmond who won the WPSL Championship with Western New York Flash.

The first match between Australia and USA resulted in a 6-0 win to the US on December 16, 1987, in Taipei, Taiwan.

Australia has been closer to the US team in recent years with the Aussies only narrowly going down by one goal in each of the two sides last three meetings.

The two teams last met in 2008, with the USA earning a 2-1 victory against the Matildas in Suwon, South Korea following close 5-4 and 3-2 losses in the US earlier that year.

The Matildas will commence preparations for the match at the end of the month at the Australian Institute of Sport.

A likely second match will be announced against the USA team in the coming days.

Match Details:

United States vs Australia
The Home Depot Center, Carson, California, USA
Sunday afternoon, September 16
Kick-off: 12:30pm (local); 5:30am (AEST-Monday Sep 17)

Information on the broadcast of this match and further details on the second match will be made soon. For all Matildas news visit www.footballaustralia.com.au or follow us on Twitter @TheMatildas or Facebook www.fb.com/matildas.

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