Ante Milicic faces biggest test of his Matildas tenure against United States
After New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina, Ante Milicic faces the toughest task of his brief reign as Matildas coach, taking on powerhouse and world No.1 United States in a friendly.
If the Cup of Nations was a gentle introduction to the Matildas job, Ante Milicic’s next test is as tough as they come.
New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina were a veritable walk in the park compared to this week’s opponent the United States.
The powerhouse and perennial world No.1s are up there among the favourites to retain their Women’s World Cup trophy in France this June.
They’ve also been beaten just once in the last 18 months, a 3-1 loss to France in January that snapped a 28-game undefeated streak stretching all the way back to July 2017.
That loss came against none other than the Matildas, who conquered their long-time nemesis 1-0 to end one of Australian sport's longest hoodoos at the Tournament of Nations.
At the time the feat was remarkable — 27 times they’d previously played the Americans with no luck, and hadn’t even managed a draw in 12 years.
A year later, at the 2018 Tournament of Nations, the Matildas very nearly pulled it off again, leading all the way up until the 90th minute before conceding a last-gasp goal to settle for a 1-1 draw.
The latest chapter in the long rivalry, set to play out this Friday lunchtime AEDT in Colorado, doubles as a barometer of where Australia’s national women’s team is at two months out from the global showpiece tournament.
The US’s recent inability to retain their SheBelieves Cup crown, after draws against Japan and England and a win over Brazil, highlights how close this World Cup could be.
That in itself renders this friendly vitally important for both Milicic and his squad.
“It’s so important, just seeing where we are as a group overall,” said in-form forward Emily Gielnik.
“Because the US are No.1 in the world right now and have been for quite some time. It’d be good to see where we are and how far we’ve come.
“Once we regroup, get everyone here together and train properly, it’d be nice to progress as quickly as possible.”
Australian-based squad members including veteran Lisa De Vanna and rising star Mary Fowler are already in camp acclimatising to the chilly weather and altitude in Denver, which sits about 1600m above sea level.
Those based in the US and Europe will arrive in coming days, with fringe players in particular putting it all on the line in the quest for a World Cup ticket when Milicic names his final squad in May.
One on the periphery is uncapped shot-stopper Teagan Micah, who’s trodden an unorthodox path to the senior national team, playing in the W-League for Brisbane Roar before heading abroad to the University of California.
It was there her displays for the UCLA Bruins sparked selection interest.
“It’s very intense,” Micah said.
“I found the environment to be really positive and all the girls are very friendly and super willing to get to know me.
“I’m just really trying to show what I’ve got, that I’ve been in a good league and been working hard.
“I’m trying my best to earn a spot on the World Cup roster.”
In a fortunate coincidence, Micah’s selection has reunited the 21-year-old with her childhood goalkeeper coach John Gorza.
“John was actually my very first goalkeeper coach when I was 11,” Micah said.
“We have a really good relationship and I know he’s a very talented coach, so I’m very proud of him for getting this opportunity.”
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