Depth in the Matildas has never been stronger and injuries have opened the door for players against Mexico

More football for club and country has created injury worries for the Matildas but more depth than ever means the fight for Olympic spots is on.

Depth in the Matildas has never been stronger which makes being “available” among the most important factors for players looking to make the Matildas squad for the Paris Olympics according to star Ellie Carpenter.

Injuries have hit coach Tony Gustavsson’s squad ahead of the friendly with Mexico in San Antonio on Wednesday, the first of three final chances players have to clinch a spot at the Games.

Senior Matildas including Katrina Gorry and Clare Hunt as well as Courtney Nevin are among those who will miss the clash and Emily Gielnik, who was a late addition to the squad, has also been sent home from the team’s US camp after suffering a calf-injury.

Carpenter, who has notched up a decade of games for Australia, is a vice-captain ands eyeing off a third Olympics, said despite the injuries the squad was in a “good place” and the depth ensued the push for spots in the squad was on.

“Depth in this squad has just gotten so much better over the past three, four years,” she said.

“I think this is the most depth we’ve had in terms of selection.

The sights & sounds of camp 🔊

🇲🇽v🇦🇺 10.04.24 - 10am AEST
📺💻📱: @10footballau#Matildaspic.twitter.com/Zrf1nsIqpt

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 7, 2024

“A roster of 16 field players and two goalkeepers [for the Olympics] – everyone’s spot is up for grabs. These players are pushing that and I think it’s really important to have so much depth and to make Tony [Gustavsson] make some really hard decisions.”

Carpenter said the growing demands on the Matildas for club and country made availability, that is being fit and ready to go, a new determining factor in who will wear the green and gold in Paris.

“Being available is the most important thing, to be honest,” she said.

“The Olympics, we know it’s very demanding on the body. Every two days you’re playing, you have to travel, it’s such a tough schedule.”

“We all know that – a majority of us have experienced the Olympics. Being, hopefully my third Olympics is quite crazy, but we kind of know what is head of us.

“That’s why it’s so important to prepare well, physically and mentally is massively important.”

Ellie Carpenter says she’ll ‘run through a brick wall’ for the injury-hit Matildas when they face Mexico on Wednesday in Dallas. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

Carpenter’s enthusiasm for representing her country is never in question and even in the final three pre-Paris matches – one against Mexico and two against China – she is taking on her “run through a brick wall” for her team mentality.

“I wear this jersey with so much pride whenever I play, and I think that’s something that got instilled with myself coming into this team so young,” she told Football Australia’s media team in the US.

“Being in the team for almost ten years, I feel like I breathe that passion. Whenever I’m on the field I give 110 per cent and I know all the other girls do around me.

“It’s something that you don’t have unless you’ve been in this team. For me, I give everything to this team, run through a brick wall. I love playing for my country.”

Mexico v Australia

Date: Tuesday, 9 April 2024 (local) / Wed, 10 April 2024 (AUS)

Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 10.00am (AEST)

Venue: Toyota Field, San Antonio, TX

Originally published as Depth in the Matildas has never been stronger and injuries have opened the door for players against Mexico