Matildas v USWNT: Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis reunited on the pitch

The US national team that Sam Kerr and the Matildas play on the weekend boasts plenty of fresh faces – and one Kerr knows better than most.

SEATTLE, WA – JULY 27: Samantha Mewis #3 of the United States battles Samantha Kerr #20 of Australia during the 2017 Tournament of Nations at CenturyLink Field on July 27, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

They might not be able to catch up off the pitch but star football couple Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis will be reunited on the field when the Matildas take on the USA in a friendly this weekend.

It is the first time in 21 years the two time reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup winners have been on Australian soil.

The last time was when they won silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The USA women’s football team will play two friendlies against the Matildas, the first on Saturday.

Kerr, who plays for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League in England, and Mewis, a Houston Dash star, officially announced their relationship in August following the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics.

Mewis then shared a photo of herself and Kerr kissing in the pool. “Kerrching,” Mewis captioned the photo of the pair soaking up the sun on a novelty pool floatie with a drink in hand.

It is believed the couple jetted off to a luxury resort in Miami for some much deserved R & R after the Olympics.

Matildas look set to field an experienced line up as they chase the side’s second ever victory against the USA in 31 years- featuring star forward and captain Sam Kerr, Emily van Egmond, Ellie Carpenter, Tameka Yallop and Steph Catley.

Hayley Russo and Emily Gielnik have been recalled after recent injuries.

The USA’s 22 player roster features 10 players from its Olympic bronze medal 4-3 playoff win against the Matildas as well as 12 players with less than 10 caps to their name- including five debutants.

Fan favourites Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Crystal Dunn, Megan Rapinoe and Kelly O’Hara missed out on boarding passes.

Kristie Mewis #6 of Team United States hugs Sam Kerr #2 of Team Australia following the Women's Bronze Medal match between United States and Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

Kerr’s girlfriend and USA midfielder Mewis has been named in the squad.

Along with 36-year-old veteran defender Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Sonnett.

Sauerbrunn is the most experienced player to make the trip with 197 caps.

The group of forwards features just one Olympian in Lynn Williams, who had a goal and an assist in the quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands in Japan and who has 13 goals in her 43 career caps.

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski said leaving some of “the bigger” names behind had nothing to do with Covid-19 restrictions and everything to do with the World Cup.

“We still have a few players out with injuries, so this roster is a mixture of players with a lot of experience in World Cups and Olympics, some who have been a part of the program for a while but who are looking to make their mark in international soccer and a few who are getting a first chance with the National Team in an event like this,” Andonovski said.

(L-R) Sam Kerr and Becky Sauerbrunn are set to resume their rivalry. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images

“We’ve turned the page towards 2023 World Cup qualifying and rarely do we get the chance to test young players in environments filled with adversity, so we need to take advantage of what these two games will offer us.

“It’s exciting to get a chance to see all these players together in our environment and give them a chance to play against one of the best teams in the world.”

The two matches will be Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson’s last to see his players up close before he must select a squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The first match will be played on Saturday at Stadium Australia at 3pm (AEDT).

22 player squad lists:

USA

Bella Bixby, Jane Campbell, Casey Murphy, Alana Cook, Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Sofia Huerta, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Catarina Macario, Kristie Mewis, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan, Bethany Balcer, Ashley Hatch, Margaret Purce, Sophia Smith, Lynn Williams, Morgan Weaver

MATILDAS

Mackenzie Arnold, Angela Beard, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Charlotte Grant, Bryleeh Henry, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr, Teagan Micah, Jessika Nash, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Karly Roestbakken, Charlize Rule, Remy Siemsen, Kyah Simon, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Lydia Williams, Tameka Yallop

Originally published as Matildas v USWNT: Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis reunited on the pitch