Incredible Foord goal not enough to save Matildas in World Cup warm-up
The Matildas have come off second best in a goalfest against the United States, which underlined both the attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities of both heavyweights
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A moment of Caitlin Foord magic wasn’t enough for the Matildas against the United States, as Australia’s women finished on the wrong end of a 5-3 goalfest World Cup warm-up friendly in Colorado.
Australia at one point led 2-1 in Friday’s thriller, but ultimately succumbed over 90 minutes that will please new coach Ante Milicic in terms of attack but provide much food for thought in defence - this was the first time in seven years the Matildas has conceded five goals in a game.
US stalwart Alex Morgan sealed her century of international goals inside 14 minutes, in a contest that underlined both the attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities of both heavyweights two months out from France’s showpiece tournament.
Lisa De Vanna levelled with her 47th goal for her country just before the half hour, to remind Milicic why she should be very much a part of his plans this June.
Foord regained the lead just after the break, embarking on a mazy solo dribble and bending an absolute beauty around goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
But the Americans weren’t done, and the irrepressible Tobin Heath put a header past Lydia Williams soon after, before Megan Rapinoe added another on the hour and substitute Mallory Pugh scored with her first touch seconds into her shift.
Sam Kerr, quiet at times but sparking in moments with well-timed counter-attacking runs, got the Matildas back in the game in the 81st minute with a trademark header from a Hayley Raso cross.
Australia pushed and probed for a late equaliser that wouldn’t come, only for Pugh to cruelly lob an off-her-line Lydia Williams off a long clearance from Naeher for her second of the night.
“In patches we tried to play our football but obviously the USA’s got a lot of quality, particularly in the front third in those transition moments out wide,” Milicic said.
“We didn’t deal with it. But we’re making small steps. We need these kind of games to improve, we’ll go back and analyse the game. There’s a lot of improvement in us but we look to move forward as quickly as possible.
“Playing the best team in the world away from home, there’s going to be a few things we need to work on. At the same time I thought physically we lost our way in the second half as well.
“We dropped off in our concentration, particularly with throw-ins against, we didn’t set up well. But a couple of girls got some opportunities so it was good to see that.
A Matildas win in in mile-high Denver, where 16-year-old Mary Fowler was given game time off the bench as promised, would have provided the ultimate psychological boost heading into June’s showpiece.
And while the reigning World Cup champions remain the benchmark, in large parts the on-field embodiment of their world No.1 ranking, there was enough evidence at a sold-out Dick’s Sporting Goods Park that Jill Ellis’ side are not quite the unbeatable force they once were.
They’ve now conceded at least two goals in three of their last four games. Coupled with the recent rise of England and other European nations, this World Cup may be the tightest yet.
Based on this display, the sixth-ranked Matildas are well in the mix to go deep into the tournament, hitting their hosts on the break numerous times as they continue to bed in the style of a new coach and with a somewhat experimental line-up.
Milicic, without regulars in vice-captain Steph Catley, defender Laura Alleway and forward Chloe Logarzo, who were all carrying niggles, tested Gema Simon at left-back and opted for Foord at No.10, a role she clearly relished in cahoots with Kerr and De Vanna.
The latter’s contribution in particular will not have gone unnoticed.
De Vanna has now scored in 16 consecutive calendar years and, in the same vein as her searing run to set up Logarzo’s opener the last time these two teams met in the 2018 Tournament of Nations, the 34-year-old can still count speed among her armoury.
Fifteen minutes after Morgan muscled off Clare Polkinghorne and cut past Alanna Kennedy to barrel a decisive finish past Williams, Kerr blazed forward and found Foord who spotted De Vanna down the left, the veteran unleashing a ferocious strike into the top right-hand corner.
A potent attack led by Morgan, Rapinoe and Heath picked persistently at cavities in Australia’s defence, one at times vulnerable but equally desperate when required.
That was no clearer than Ellie Carpenter’s most crucial of interventions to stop Williams’ spilled ball rolling into the net of a cracking Rapinoe shot.
Save for that hiccup, Williams was largely alert to the danger moments, at one point leaping high high to tip an effort over the bar from Lindsay Horan, the same player who scored in the 90th minute in last year’s 1-1 Tournament of Nations draw.
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