Team Preview: The Matildas first She Believes Cup
- Katie Vince
- Feb 14
- 2 min read
Interim boss Tom Sermanni named a 23-player Matildas squad for their SheBelieves Cup campaign. They will face Japan, the United States and Colombia during the competition, hoping to bring back some silverware.
Katrina Gorry, Mary Fowler, Clare Wheeler and Kaitlyn Torpey are all available for the tournament, after missing out on the last international window due to injury.
Another notable return is Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara, after 12 months on the sidelines. The 22-year-old forward has been recalled after suffering her third Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear at the end of 2023
Laini Freier receives her first call up to the senior team after a fantastic start to the season! She plays as a midfielder for A-League team Brisbane Roar and has scored seven goals in her first 10 matches of the season. Her sister, Sharn Freier, also plays for the club, but the winger will miss out due to an ankle injury.
The competition is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will take place from 20-26 February 2025. It will be run in a traditional six-game, three matchday format. This is Australia’s first appearance at the SheBelieves cup.
Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, speaks on the importance of the tournament, “This is a tremendous opportunity for the CommBank Matildas to compete against some of the world’s best teams on an international platform.”
“The SheBelieves Cup aligns with our vision to challenge the team in high-stakes environments as we continue to elevate the Matildas and build towards the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
The Matildas faced the United States last summer in the Olympic games, narrowly losing 1-2 and ending their Olympic campaign. This rematch will be a chance for the Matildas to even the scoreboard and show their qualities.
Whilst they haven’t played in competition since their early exit from the Olympics, the Aussies played multiple friendlies towards the end of the year.
With convincing wins against Chinese Taipei and Germany, a draw against Switzerland, and two losses to Brazil, the Matildas will hope to use these as learning opportunities, enabling them to shine in the SheBelieves cup.
Match Information:
Japan v Australia
Thursday, 20 February 2025
4 p.m. (local) / 9 a.m. (AEDT)
Shell Energy Stadium, Houston (TX)
United States v Australia
Sunday, 23 February 2025
3 p.m. (local) / 8 a.m. (AEDT)
State Farm Stadium, Glendale (AZ)
Australia v Colombia
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
4.30 p.m. (local) / 11.30 a.m. (AEDT)
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego (CA)
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns), Chloe Lincoln (Western United), Teagan Micah (Liverpool)
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Tottenham Hotspur), Winonah Heatley (Nordsjælland), Clare Hunt (Tottenham Hotspur), Alanna Kennedy (Angel City), Natasha Prior (Newcastle Jets)
Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal), Daniela Galic (Twente), Katrina Gorry (West Ham United), Emily Van Egmond (Birmingham City), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar)
Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Laini Freier (Brisbane Roar), Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), Hayley Raso (Tottenham Hotspur), Kaitlyn Torpey (San Diego Wave)
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