World Cup: US vs Australia

The Lady Yanks to waltz with the Matildas.

June 8, 2015; 12:00 PM • by Richard Hayes

• Kickoff: June 8th, 7:30 PM EST • FOX Sports 1, NBC Universo
• Location: Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg, Canada

HISTORY

The history between these two is very one sided. The USWNT has 22 wins and two ties against Australia. The most recent match back in 2013 resulted in a 4-0 win for the Yanks.

US

The USWNT has one of if not the deepest team in the tournament. Ten players have over 100 caps (international appearances) and Christie Rampone has an amazing 306 caps. Experience will come in handy, and it doesn’t hurt to have Abby Wambach, who has scored 182 goals, with arguably the best women’s goalkeeper in the world, Hope Solo, backing her up. What we don’t know is whether or not Alex Morgan is fully recovered and will see the field. She’s not likely to start and might be held back for Sweden or even until the elimination games.

Australia

Australian coach Alen Stajcic made a surprising move in leaving all-time top goalscorer Kate Gill off the roster. Instead she is hoping that players like 20-year-old Caitlin Foord will step-up. Foord was selected as Young Player of the Tournament at the last Women’s World Cup. Forward Lisa De Vanna lends bite to the attack. In theory Australia will try to press the US in the midfield where the US struggled leading up the to World Cup. This mid-field pressure however could lead to deadly counters so it’ll be a tightrope that the Aussies will have to walk.

THE X FACTORS

The continuing Hope Solo Saga that every one says isn’t an issue. The latest chapter involves documents released on Sunday that tell a starkly different story than what Hope has been giving up to this point.

June 8, 2015 12:00 PM 0