Australia were defeated 3 - 1 in their opening match against the United States in Winnipeg, Canada.

A Lisa De Vanna goal in her 100th cap was not enough for the Matildas to see of a USA challenge led by Megan Rapinoe.

What comes out of the match for Australia?

Emily van Egmond leads a team effort

The Italians call her role the "regista", the playmaker and that is exactly what she did for Australia on night.  The 2014 W-League Player of the Year was superb in her ability to control the match for the Matildas with decision making, tactical intelligence, passing, movement and composure all on show. And. if not for the world class save from Hope Solo in the 3rd minute, she would have had her second World Cup goal and had Australia on their way. If Van Egmond can consistently play at that level, Australia has a player for the next decade.

Van Egmond was at the centre of a team performance that was what you expect of an Alen Stajcic team; dynamic, mobile and quick interchange of passes. The De Vanna goal is one Sydney FC supporters would have seen time and again and Stajcic must be credited for his ability to translate that to international football.

Defensively Australia were also the most organised they have been in a while. In the main, Laura Alleway and Stephanie Catley were strong at central defence while Elise Kellond-Knight as a holding midfielder was excellent.

The challenges now for Van Egmond and the team is to sustain that performance for the full 90 minutes and to be consistent match after match.

Second half fade out

Whether it was fitness, the turf or the USA's adjustment in the midfield, the Matildas were unable to have the same impact in the second 45 minutes as they did in the first.  The intensity at which the United States play the game certainly contributed to that.

Make no mistake, Australia were excellent in the first 50 minutes and outplayed the United States. However, 50 minutes does not make a football match.  The Matildas next challenge is to play at that intensity, with that control, for 90 minutes.

Questions have been asked why they were not able to do so after 6 month training block. My answer, there are very few nations who can play at the intensity the Americans play at for 90 minutes.

America's starting line up yesterday averaged 103 caps, Australia's eleven averaged 46. That is a big difference in distance in the legs for the United States, as well as the fact that they pride themselves on their ability to overrun teams.

For Australia to get to that next level, it will require a full professionalism for the national team players and they need to, year in and year out, play 15 - 20 internationals.

United States will be a force in this World Cup 

Yes, United States don't play the team football nations like France and Japan have made us come to love but there is more than one way to win a football match.

What the United States do, they do well. They are power, pace and strength played at a high intensity and combined with the individual brilliance of players like Rapinoe and Hope Solo.

Even when they are not playing well, they can still hurt you and they will hurt you until that final whistle.