USA football legend Julie Foudy predicts Matildas to crumble without Sam Kerr at Paris Olympics

An American football legend has fired an early shot at the Matildas, saying they won’t win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics without Sam Kerr.

An American football legend has fired a shot at the Matildas saying they can’t win an Olympic medal without Sam Kerr.

Two time World Cup winner and dual Olympic gold medallist Julie Foudy said the Matildas would get out of their group, which includes USA, Germany and Zambia and then crumble.

Foudy said the growing injury list would be the Matildas undoing – with captain Sam Kerr missing due to an ACL injury, Katrina Gorry returning from an ankle injury and Caitlin Foord dealing with a quad injury.

“I think they can get out of their group but I think it might be a bridge too far this time without Sam Kerr, with Caitlin Foord coming off an injury, with Katrina Gorry in the midfield coming off an injury,” Foudy said.

“I worry they don’t have the health to sustain them.

“We know you’re going to need all 16 players (this tournament), it’s a grind.”

It is just the latest shot fired between Australia and the USA – following the blow up between swimming legends Cate Campbell and Michael Phelps – in which Campbell called the American swim team ‘sore losers’ after they switched up the 2023 World Championship scoreboard to be based on total medals won instead of gold medals won – putting USA ahead of Australia.

This caused Phelps to fire back and claim the US would use it as extra motivation at the Olympics.

The Matildas are known for their love of being an underdog so these comments are likely to have a similar effect.

Julie Foudy doesn’t rate the Matildas’ chances. Picture: Getty Images

They weren’t the only team to come under fire from Foudy with the retired footballer also doubting the skills of reigning Olympic champions Canada.

“Going back to back is asking a lot given the quality of teams here,” Foudy said.

“They are a very good team but I don’t know if they have enough up top to finish teams off.”

Foudy, while confident in new USA coach Emma Hayes ability, was on the fence about how the Americans would perform.

Sam Kerr was ruled out of the Olympics after suffering a long-term injury. Picture: AFP

“It’s a younger group, obviously having turned the page on some of the veteran players and I think that was needed,” Foudy said.

“They could possibly win it or they could get knocked out of the group.

“I feel hopeful with that group because it feels like they’ve been re-energised, I just worry they haven’t had quite enough time to get on the same page as Hayes wants to.”

Matildas will launch their Olympic campaign against Germany on Friday at 3am (AEST).

Originally published as USA football legend Julie Foudy predicts Matildas to crumble without Sam Kerr at Paris Olympics