KEY BATTLES

Becky Sauerbrunn v Sam Kerr

Taken by Stephanie Meek (@stephaniemeekphotography)

It’s rare that one of the best strikers in the world comes up against one of the best centre-backs in the world, but that is what will happen when Becky Sauerbrunn takes on the almost-unstoppable Sam Kerr.

Sauerbrunn, who currently plays for NWSL side Utah Royals, is one of the most experienced players in the US women’s national team. At 33 years old, Sauerbrunn anchors the defence alongside the less experienced Abby Dahlkemper, commanding the central channels with her physical presence and dictating play from the back.

Her ability to read attackers’ body language means her slide tackles and one-on-one contests are largely accurate, while her clever reading of the opposition play allows her to move into positions to pressure opponents backwards or intercept slicing through-balls.

Sauerbrunn kept Matilda Sam Kerr mostly quiet in their 1-1 Tournament of Nations draw in 2018, but history seems almost irrelevant when it comes to the Ballon D’Or finalist. We all know what the Perth Glory and Chicago Red Stars striker can do on the ball, but it’s Kerr's off-the-ball movement that the USA still struggle to handle.

For example, in the aforementioned ToN draw, it was Kerr’s wide run that pulled a back-tracking Dahlkemper out of position, opening up space for Logarzo to attack and score through.

Kerr has demonstrated time and again for both club and country that she is a force to be reckoned with, whether she’s working hard off the ball to create space for others, attacking set pieces, or getting the ball at her feet and running at defenders herself.

Having never scored against the USA, you can bet that that’s a trend Kerr would like to finally break. And who better to do it against than one of the best defenders on one of the best national teams in the world?

Lindsay Horan v Elise Kellond-Knight

It was the USA and Portland Thorns midfielder Lindsey Horan’s stoppage-time header in the 2018 Tournament of Nations that prevented the Matildas from defending their 2017 title.

Horan’s recent top form is indisputable, having won the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player award in 2018, in addition to being named in the league’s Best XI and finishing runner-up in the Golden Boot race with 14 goals across the season. While she missed the 2019 SheBelieves Cup through injury, it’s expected that Horan will get some good minutes in the upcoming Matildas friendly. 

Playing as a central midfielder for both club and country, Horan is almost unparalleled in her ability to keep the ball, create space, and open up passing lanes for others. While she may not be the fastest midfielder, her footwork, technical skills, and large motor make her a certain starter when she’s fit.