Matildas left to rue horror start in 3-0 loss to USA

The Matildas were on the back foot less than a minute into Saturday afternoon’s clash with the world-champion Americans.

The Matildas will hope for a better result in next week’s friendly. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Matildas failed to recover from a horror start in front of a record crowd of 36,109 at Stadium Australia after the USA struck a blow just 24 seconds into Saturday’s game.

The world champions cruised to a 3-0 win in the first of a two-match friendly series - a result that means the Matildas have beaten the US just once in 32 attempts.

The crowd had barely taken their seats when, seconds after kick off, Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah was already picking the ball out of the net.

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Teenage debutant Jessika Nash was caught ball watching as Ashley Hatch calmly struck the ball past Micah to put the visitors in front.

It was the second-fastest goal the Matildas have ever conceded and it left them understandably shell-shocked, but Tony Gustavsson was satisfied with his team’s response and defended his team selection.

The Matildas coach had assembled a youthful defence with 17-year-old Nash alongside teenager Courtney Nevin and for much of the first half it was a shambles.

“We didn’t let it get to us, especially the young ones - they grew into the game,” he said.

“It can go downhill really quickly if you’re not strong mentally, so I’m really happy with that.

“We need depth in the backline and we need to be brave enough to get them into these types of games.

It just wasn’t Australia’s day. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It had been a challenging build up to the game, with players battling illness, injury and arriving late, and the challenges continued on the field even against a youthful US side.

With their defence a worrying work in progress, the Matildas continued to press going forward, but were wasteful on too many occasions in front of goal.

It was an open, fast-paced game and for all the chances the US left on the park in the first half, the most gilt edged of the lot fell to Matildas veteran Kyah Simon.

In the 38th minute she blazed her shot over the woodwork from inside the six-yard box. It was the kind of miss that will find its place on highlights reels around the football world.

“As a striker you pride yourself on scoring goals and I take full responsibility - I should’ve finished that,” Simon said.

“The game is 1-1 at that point, so it definitely changes the momentum.”

The Americans came out of the blocks firing in both halves. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Mary Fowler impressed and her link-up play with Sam Kerr nearly produced a goal, but US goalkeeper Casey Murphy, on debut, produced a quality last-gasp save.

Gustavsson reshuffled his defence in the second half, but it began in much the same way as the first half - with a goal to the US.

Four minutes after the break, Rose Lavelle scored after an excellent run and cut-back from Margaret Purce to double the visitor’s lead. Kerr came close to pulling one back for the Matildas, but her header went straight into the arms of Murphy, who had an overall superb debut for the US. Kerr, who wasn’t at full fitness, was hauled off on the hour mark and will have to wait to equal Tim Cahill’s goal-scoring record.

Lindsey Horan added a third goal from the spot when the US were awarded a dubious penalty, but there was no more carnage as the Matildas now look ahead to Tuesday night’s match in Newcastle to give a better account of themselves.

Originally published as Matildas left to rue horror start in 3-0 loss to USA