The U.S. Women’s National Team continues its run at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa with a showdown against Australia in Glendale, Arizona. Fresh off a 2-0 victory over Colombia, the USWNT faces a Matildas squad looking to bounce back from a tough opening loss to Japan.
Here's what you need to know ahead of USA vs. Australia at State Farm Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 5:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. MT (TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock, Westwood One).
USA’S LAST MATCH: GETTING THE JOB DONE
Goals from Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor lifted the USWNT to a 2-0 win over Colombia in their opening match of the tournament on Thursday evening in Houston, Texas.
Jane Campbell stepped in as the starting goalkeeper – fittingly, in her home stadium with the Houston Dash – for her ninth international appearance and sixth USWNT clean sheet. The U.S. defense, led by captain Emily Sonnett, limited Colombia to zero shots on goal.
Macario opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a perfect cross from Yazmeen Ryan. Sentnor then doubled the lead in the 60th minute with a stunning long-range strike, sealing the win for the Americans.
With the victory, the USWNT remains unbeaten in SheBelieves Cup openers and continues its push for a sixth straight title.
AUSTRALIA’S LAST MATCH: A TOUGH TOURNAMENT START
Australia’s 2025 SheBelieves Cup campaign opened with a 4-0 loss to Japan, exposing defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of cohesion in attack. The Matildas struggled to cope with Japan’s quick ball movement and pressing, conceding twice in the first half before the deficit widened late in the match.
Despite the heavy defeat, Australia saw bright moments from Mary Fowler, who tested Japan’s backline with her creativity, and Hayley Raso, who provided width and crossing threats. However, defensive lapses and difficulty in midfield control ultimately proved costly.
With a quick turnaround before facing the USWNT, Australia will need a much sharper performance to avoid another setback in the tournament.
USA VS. AUSTRALIA: SERIES HISTORY
The USWNT and Australia have a long-standing rivalry, with the Americans holding a commanding 28-1-5 record across their 35 all-time meetings. The lone Matildas victory came in 2017, a 1-0 win at the Tournament of Nations, but the U.S. has dominated the series both before and since.
Their most recent matchup came in the 2024 Olympics group stage, where the USWNT secured a 2-1 win, eliminating Australia from knockout stage contention. The two nations also met in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medal match, where the U.S. claimed a 4-3 victory to secure a place on the podium.
Historically, the USWNT has found attacking success against the Matildas, averaging over two goals per game in the series. However, Australia’s rise in the global game, highlighted by their 2023 World Cup semifinal run, has made them a more formidable opponent in recent years.
With both teams in transition – Emma Hayes leading a younger USWNT squad and Tom Sermanni – the former long-time head coach of the Matildas before his stint as head coach of the USWNT – taking charge of the Matildas in the interim as the Football Australia continues its search for a permanent coach – the latest chapter in this rivalry adds another layer of intrigue to the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
INSIDE THE ROSTER: DEBUTS & NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The USWNT’s 2-0 win over Colombia was a night of firsts. Ally Sentnor scored her first senior international goal in spectacular fashion – a 27-yard rocket – becoming the first U.S. player to net their debut goal in tournament history. With two of her three NWSL rookie-season goals coming from outside the box, long distance strikes are quickly becoming a hallmark of the Utah Royals forward.
Tara McKeown earned her first cap as a starter and assisted Sentnor’s goal, joining Rose Lavelle, Trinity Rodman, and Adrianna Franch as the fourth U.S. player to debut in a SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa match. She was soon followed by Michelle Cooper and Gisele Thompson—the fifth and sixth players to debut in the tournament. Thompson’s appearance was historic, making her and sister Alyssa just the third set of USWNT siblings to be capped, and the second from the NWSL after Kristie and Sam Mewis.
Catarina Macario’s opener was another milestone—her first USWNT goal since April 2022, marking a triumphant return from injury. As Emma Hayes continues integrating fresh talent, the future looks bright for the USWNT.
SCOUTING AUSTRALIA
As the Matildas transition under interim head coach Tom Sermanni, they remain committed to an attack-oriented style of play. Sermanni’s tactical approach prioritizes flexibility, often deploying a 3-5-2 formation that encourages fluid movement in the final third. The forward line is designed to stretch defenses, creating space for well-timed runs in behind to capitalize on attacking opportunities.
Key players to watch:
- Mary Fowler (Manchester City, ENG) – The 21-year-old forward is Australia’s most dangerous attacking presence, combining technical skill with an eye for goal. With 10 goals for club and country this season, Fowler thrives in tight spaces, has a powerful long-range shot, and can break open defenses with her passing.
- Ellie Carpenter (Lyon, FRA) – A relentless force on the right flank, Carpenter’s pace, stamina, and defensive work rate make her a key figure in both attack and defense. She’s capable of delivering dangerous crosses while also tracking back to make crucial defensive interventions.
- Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal, ENG) – The midfield engine of the team, Cooney-Cross is crucial in transitioning from defense to attack. She offers strong ball-carrying ability, sharp distribution, and defensive coverage, often dictating the tempo in the middle of the park.
AUSTRALIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United, ENG), 12-Teagan Micah (Liverpool, ENG), 18-Chloe Lincoln (Canberra United)
DEFENDERS (8): 2-Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), 3-Winonah Heatley (Melbourne City), 4-Clare Hunt (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), 7-Steph Catley (Arsenal, ENG), 14-Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City, ENG), 19-Katrina Gorry (Vittsjö GIK, SWE), 21-Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon, FRA), 22-Charlotte Grant (Vittsjö GIK, SWE)
MIDFIELDERS (6): 5-Natasha Prior (Sydney FC), 10-Emily van Egmond (Newcastle Jets), 11-Mary Fowler (Manchester City, ENG), 13-Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar), 16-Hayley Raso (Real Madrid, ESP), 23-Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal, ENG)
FORWARDS (6): 6-Alana Murphy (Melbourne Victory), 8-Kaitlyn Torpey (San Diego Wave FC, USA), 9-Caitlin Foord (Arsenal, ENG), 15-Daniela Galic (Melbourne City), 17-Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), 20-Laini Freier (Western United)
The USWNT and Australia meet on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 5:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. MT. Fans can watch live on TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock, and listen via Westwood One.
