Matildas returning to Australia to host world champions in two-game series in NSW

The blockbuster opponents keep coming for the Matildas who will take on world champions America in a two-game series in NSW this month.

Matildas star Sam Kerr heads the ball during a match against Brazil last month. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The big-name opponents keep coming for the Matildas who return to Australia later in November for a two-game series against reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champions and football powerhouse the United States.

Having played Brazil last month in a two-match series in Sydney, the Matildas are again being confined to NSW, with the games against the Americans – who are the top-ranked nation in women’s football – being played at Stadium Australia (November 27) and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle (November 30).

The series will be the final chance for players to push for selection in the Matildas squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which starts in January in India.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr will take on the world’s best women’s side, the United States. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for FFA

“This is a vital and final opportunity to see the players against an extremely high-quality nation before we select the final squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup,” said Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson, a former assistant coach of the US women’s team.

“Meeting the US women’s national team on home soil will mark the sixth unique opponent in the top 10 that this team would have faced in 2021.

“With each match, we are continuing to get one day better as a team and at the same time providing invaluable experience to the younger players in the roster.

“The US women’s national team are a team with quality across the park and will mark another great challenge for the playing group.”

“We can’t be more delighted with the support which has been provided in scheduling these tough, unique opponents to further the development of the playing squad ahead of major international tournaments.”

Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said: “Hosting the US women’s national team for the first time in over two decades is another great taste of what the FIFA Women’s World Cup (in) Australia and New Zealand (in) 2023 will look and feel like at Stadium Australia.

“It was a privilege to welcome back fans to international matches (against Brazil), and we are now delighted to welcome one of the world’s best and most admired teams as we continue to implement our strategy of playing more teams ranked in the top-10 in preparation for upcoming major international tournaments.”

With venue capacities for both matches having been lifted by the NSW government, there is chance that a record attendance for a Matildas match in Australia, which stands at 33,000 fans, could be set in the first game of the series at Stadium Australia.

Originally published as Matildas returning to Australia to host world champions in two-game series in NSW