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Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry back for Matildas squad to play SheBelieves Cup tournament in the US

As Matildas captain Sam Kerr deals with a court case in London, a star-studded Australian squad has been named for a tournament in the US.

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February 4, 2025 - 9:28AM
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Sam Kerr's criminal trial gets underway

Matildas stars including Mary Fowler and Katrina Gorry will be back in action later this month after being recalled for the team’s debut at the prestigious four-nations SheBelieves Cup tournament in the US.

But Sam Kerr remains sidelined as she continues her recovery from a knee injury and deals with a London court hearing that began on Monday with shocking video footage of the captain’s behaviour after being arrested following a drunken night out.

The Matildas will play powerhouse and reigning Olympic gold medallists the USA in the tournament as well as world No.8 Japan and world No.21 Colombia in a round-robin format.

With just more than a year until the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni called on his star players who missed the final matches of 2024.

Fowler has been in outstanding form for Manchester City, scoring five goals in her past five games.

“The SheBelieves Cup allows us to challenge ourselves against some of the best teams globally, and it’s an essential step as we work toward establishing a strong foundation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026,” Sermanni said.

“To play three quality nations, all with differing styles, in a tournament-style format will allow us to continue assessing the squad and identify the areas that we will need to continue to invest in improving over the next 12 months.

“We’ve selected a squad with the clear objective of winning this tournament. While some challenges came with players returning from European winter breaks and the restart of the USA and Scandinavian leagues, these realities also created opportunities. It’s important to carry on exposing emerging players to high-level, tournament-style football early.

“Our technical staff have been watching Ninja A-League matches all summer, ensuring we get a full picture of player form and fitness. Selection is always competitive, and we’ve built a squad that reflects that.

“It’s crucial to have depth and balance in the group as we prepare for the challenges ahead.

“We know how important it is to keep this team on a stable footing, and that means performing at our best every time we step onto the pitch.

“We want to play the Australian way – aggressive, front-foot football, always looking for ways to win. This tournament is another opportunity to reinforce that style and build momentum.

“With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon, internal competition within the squad is key. Every player knows they need to push for their place, and this tournament gives us another chance to see how they respond in a high-pressure environment. SheBelieves will provide valuable insights as we finetune our preparations moving forward.”

Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara has earnt a recall after battling injury, while in-form winger Sharn Freier has been replaced by her twin sister, Laini, who could earn a Matildas debut.

Sharn had ankle surgery on Monday following an injury she suffered two weeks ago playing for Brisbane Roar against Perth. Laini is equal top scorer in the A-League women’s competition with seven goals in just nine appearances.

Australia’s campaign begins against Asian Football Confederation compatriots Japan at the Toyota Stadium in Houston, Texas on February 19.

MATILDAS SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln, Teagan Micah

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Natasha Prior

Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Daniela Galic, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameeka Yallop

Attackers: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Laini Freier, Michelle Heyman, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey

Originally published as Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry back for Matildas squad to play SheBelieves Cup tournament in the US

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/football/mary-fowler-katrina-gorry-back-for-matildas-squad-to-play-shebelieves-cup-tournament-in-the-united-states/news-story/652396e932b2539d9a29cf5b232a5842