USA v Australia Preview

This is it.

That is Australia's catch cry for the 2015 FIFA Womens' World Cup and in under 24 hours it really is it.

The World Cup is all about the taking on the world's best and there are few better than the world no. 2 ranked United States.

To say the Matildas are underdogs is an understatement. They are taking on a team they have never beaten, a team that humbled them 4-0 in their last meeting in 2013.

They are taking on a team full of superstar names and they are taking on outside expectations that don't give them any chance to progress from Group D, let alone defeat the USA.

That is not to say Australia are without a chance but for the Matildas to get their campaign off to a winning start, it will need one of the best performances ever from an Australian side.

The Matildas do have the weapons to hurt the USA with quick attack the key.

Alen Stajcic has been cagey in the lead up to the tournament as to his final combination so which front five will start is anyone's guess.

Two players that will probably start are Lisa De Vanna and Sam Kerr. De Vanna is about to join an exclusive club in Australian women's football when she leads out the team for her 100th international cap.

The World Cup has been the scene of many of De Vanna's greatest moments and if she is to add the USA scalp to that list, the 31 year old will need a big performance.

Kerr is another forward Australian fans will be looking to fire. The 21 year old was one of the top 5 strikers in the American league last season and during that time matured into a headline striker for the Perth Glory and the Matildas.

De Vanna and Kerr on the wings should cause many problems for the defence while feeding either Michelle Heyman or Kyah Simon.

The Americans too have their own firepower with one of the best attacks in world football. From Alex Morgan to Christen Press, Sydney Leroux to Abby Wambach, the Germany 2011 runners up have the ability to score and score heavily.

Morgan is in doubt for the match but regardless, Australia's defence will need to be able to contain the creativity of Press, the speed and power of Leroux and of course Wambach, the greatest goalscorer in history (male or female).

Key to the defence will be the centre backs. Set to appear in her third World Cup, co-captain Clare Polkinghorne has been the anchor for the past two years and with her hamstring strain, the load could fall to the lesser experienced Laura Alleway, Stephanie Catley or Alanna Kennedy.

Along with the back four, the Matildas will need a big performance from Lydia Williams.

In top form, Williams is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Coming off a recent ACL, Australian supporters will be hoping she is in that form.

This is a game where it will be all action. USA midfielder Carli Lloyd stated in the pre-match press conference that they would be looking to "be in the lead" within the first 15 - 20 minutes.

In front of an anticipated sell-out crowd, the opening minutes could shape how the match progresses.

This is truly it. If the Australians want to join the top nations in the world as Stajcic has stated, a result against the USA is the first step.