Matilda rubs shoulders with best in the world

The Matildas hope exposure to top-tier competition in the US will stand them in good stead for the World Cup in June.

The Matildas training in Denver this week. From left, Alanna Kennedy, Emily van Egmond and Mary Fowler. Picture: Rachel Bach

For many a footballer, sharing a field with Marta or Alex Morgan is a rarity reserved for World Cups and Olympic Games.

For Emily van Egmond it’s an everyday reality at Orlando Pride, where the Matilda plays with the Brazil and US stars.

Van Egmond is one of a record number of Australians plying their trade in the National Women’s Soccer League, making America’s top tier the league of choice when it comes to World Cup preparation.

“There’s no shying away from the fact that America is the No 1 league,” van Egmond said.

“The difference is every game’s a game. In the European leagues you can tend to have four top teams rather than consistency throughout the whole league.

“That’s really what attracts our girls to come to America. You know what you’re getting.

“It’s a challenging environment and you’re playing and training against some of the best players in the world every day.”

For van Egmond they include six-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta and 2018 US Soccer Player of the Year Morgan, the US co-captain who will be gunning for her 100th international goal against the Matildas in Colorado tomorrow.

The Daily Telegraph