Laura Alleway might just be the centre of the defensive universe for the Matildas in their match against the USA.

With 31 caps and standing at 178cm, the tall 25 year old defender might just have the monstrous job of matching up against the world’s most prolific scorer in Abby Wambach who herself stands at an imposing 180cm.

On paper their height might be a relatively even match up, but their journeys and experience are at remarkably different stages.

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This is Alleway’s second World Cup. The first one was her first ever Matildas tour where she played just a handful of minutes. It was more about getting some experience in that environment than playing a pivotal role.

Alleway definitely wants to change that.

“Hopefully I get more minutes this time than last time” she laughs. “I feel like one of the older players in the team and I’m heading in with more experience”.

The preparation this time around has been exceptionally different as well.

“It’s massively different. FFA (Football Federation Australia) have put so much into it this time around. We haven’t been able to focus on anything else but football.”

“We’ve been in each others back pockets the whole time and we’ve had some amazing experiences. They’ve put everything into it that they can and now it’s time for us to give back”.

Alleway is well aware of the daunting group the Matildas are in but it seems like she wouldn’t have it any other way.

As a defender, she will be up against some of the best world class strikers. The USA have four or five who can bury the ball if you give them any space, Nigeria have a couple and Sweden have the likes of Lotta Schelin, Kosovare Asllani and Caroline Seger.

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Alleway and the Matildas defence are ready for the challenge, a unit that has been the subject of criticisms for a number of years.

“We rise to the challenge. We’re excited to come up against these players. You can only do your best if you compete with the best. I think the back four, everyone has their mind in the right state”.

“For me I’m so excited to come up against Abby and Schelin to see how you compare with those world class players. The only way you get better is to play against better teams.”

The game has changed since the last World Cup and Alleway’s game has changed as well.

“The older you get the more mature you become and you have a wise head.

You’re able to see the whole pitch and have confidence to conduct the team from the back.”

Maturity and growth is something Alleway refers to often and she admits to learning a lot in recent years, particularly playing a season in England with the likes of Casey Stoney.

Four years ago Alleway had a reputation of being a good player but a nice player whereas the top defenders of the past have had that little bit of aggressiveness, toughness and tenacity.

“I still feel like I’m the same person but teammates and opposition strikers say they’re actually scared coming up against me because I’m so big. “

“I was the friendly giant but I got taught by Tommy (Sermanni) that I will never make it unless I’m a bit more aggressive. I think I go out there a little more hungry to win the ball now.”

One player who is unlikely to be scared or intimidated by Alleway’s size is Wambach, but the match up will be exciting to watch nonetheless.

The match against the USA, Australia’s first match, will be a barometer for the tournament but Alleway knows it’s just one match.

“We’re putting a lot of emphasis on the match but at the same time, it’s not the final. “

“We’ll go out there and obviously we will give it our everything, but it’s the group stages. There are three equally important games and we have to get results in every single one of the in order to progress.”

As she pulls on that Matildas jersey, Alleway will be thinking about the players before her. The history and importance of players like Cheryl Salisbury are not lost on her.

“I want to do well for my family, friends and the Aussies back home.”

“The Matildas family is my home away from home and I would be lost without them."

USA v Australia is LIVE on SBS One and streaming online from 9.30am (AET).