USWNT vs Australia: Will the Stars and Stripes soar or fall against Australia on July 27th?

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Temmuz 26, 2021 Tarafından Michelle Bonsu

Konula: TV Schedules, USWNT, Australia, 2020 Olympic Games

After finally getting back to winning ways on matchday 2, the USWNT will look to secure a spot in the knockout rounds as they take on Australia for their final group stage game.

Preview: USWNT vs Australia

Both the USWNT and Australia come into this match on three points, making this game that much more decisive to determine who secures an automatic berth to the knockout rounds. The Stars and Stripes successfully rebounded after an embarrassing 3-0 opening day loss to Sweden to thrash New Zealand 6-1 and ensure that they're not out of the running for a knockout spot just yet. The defeat to the Scandinavian side snapped a long-standing 44 unbeaten streak for the no. 1 women's football team in the world, and given that Sweden have managed to top the group thanks to a win over Australia, Vlatko Andonovski's team will need to get things right in order to avoid failing to qualifying for the first time in their Olympic history.

Indeed, as Team USA look to secure what would be a fifth gold medal in their seventh Olympic games, and fresh off recording their biggest ever win in this competition, they will face an Australian side who are also eager to get back on track. The Matildas battled to a hard-fought 2-1 win over neighbors New Zealand, but unfortunately were unable to hang on to a 2-1 lead as Sweden somehow managed to get themselves back in the match and win 4-2. Chelsea star Sam Kerr ended up missing a spot-kick that would have pulled her team level at 3-3, and she and the Matildas were left to rue this missed opportunity as their opponents ended up running away with all three points.

Australia did put in a good shift, but came up short, and now will be taking on a USA team against whom they've struggled in the past. In fact, Australia have won just one of their last 30 meetings with the four-time World Cup winners, while losing 26 and drawing just three times.

Team news: USWNT vs Australia

USWNT: Given how things turned out for the USA against New Zealand, Andonovski is not likely to really change his starting XI much. Veterans such as Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd were re-instated in the starting XI and will likely remain for this game; however, fans could see some rotation if players like Christen Press are also brought into the fold. Midfielder Julie Ertz did suffer an injury in May prior to the games, but has appeared not to have any issues so should feature again here.

Australia: Meanwhile, Tony Gustavsson certainly will have taken some lessons learned from his side's disappointing capitulation to Sweden and may adjust his formation accordingly in a bid to get at least a point against the United States.

Match facts: USWNT vs Australia

This will be the 31st meeting between the USWNT and Australia
To date, the Matildas have beaten the Stars and Stripes only once - on June 27, 2018
Other from that, the USA's record against Australia includes 26 wins and just three draws
However, the USWNT have won just one of their last three meetings with Australia (D1 L1)
This is Australia's fourth participation at an Olympic Games
Meanwhile, the USA have featured in every single edition dating back to 1996