USWNT v Australia: Game One

The last time Australia and the US Women's National Team played against each other, most of the Matildas squad were still in primary school!  Now a majority of those teenagers are set to take on the recently re-crowned Olympic gold medallists. 

Yesterday both sides completed their first, and only, training sessions in Los Angeles.  For the US Women this is the second game in their Victory Tour and their reception at the training session was befitting the home coming conquerors.  Inside the main pitch at the Home Depot Center, chants of "USA, USA, USA" could be heard as well as the high pitch shouts (and some low baritones) for "Abby" and "Megan" and "Alex".

Meanwhile on the outside pitch, the team hoping to spoil the party, the Matildas, were quietly going about their business in 35 degree heat, preparing for the real heat they will face against the most recognisable team in women's football. 

Ahead of the game we caught up with a couple of key personel from both sides to find out their thoughts before Game 1.

Alex Morgan

On her knowledge of the Australian Women's National Team

"I know a little bit about the team.  Some of the Australian players have been in the WPS and we have played with them so we know a good amount."

"The coach [Tom Sermanni] is a pretty good coach.  We have watched him take the team to the next level so we are looking for a pretty good game tomorrow against them."

Playing in her hometown

It's really nice to play in my hometown.  Just to give back to my family, my friends and the fans that have have been with me even before I was on the national team."

Tom Sermanni (coach)

Aims of the games

"There are a few aims.  Obviously we want to play well and perform well."

"But in general its to look at where we are at progress wise and to give our younger players the experience of playing arguably the best team in the world.  That is experience you can't buy."

"We will have five teenagers starting the game so that is a decent chunk of young players. But we have the experience in their as well.  Your Katie Gills, Lisa De Vanna, Collette McCallum and Sarah Walsh."

"Well I hope they have been partying since the Olympics finished!  Look, once the game begins I expect them to go out there and perform very well because that's the US way."

On the different style to AFC

"We need to play more western style teams because in the last few years we have really focused on the Asian style teams.  That will be an interesting dynamic today."

Christie Rampone (captain)

On Playing Australia

I know that they are always competitive and they are very good.  I think coach Tom Sermanni does an excellent job with them.

"They always have a great game plan and they will be coming after us.  We always tend to have a lot of goals scored when we play them. Both sides. It's always a high scoring game.

"They have a younger team and they are up and coming and I think they are exceptional talents.  They work hard, they are committed and it's going to be a tough game especially at noon here in the heat in California." 

Collette McCallum (captain)

On playing the US

"It is very challenging.  Them and Japan have been well beyond other teams in the last couple of years."

"It will be a good challenge for us to see how we go as a team.  We have a lot of different players and depth now in our squad but we are up to the challenge and we should be alright."

Megan Rapinoe

"I am looking forward to playing Australia.  I think I have played Australia once in their youth team but never their senior team.  I know a lot of the girls and I am obviously friends with a couple of them but it will be all business on the field.

""I think it will be a good opportunity for them [Australia] to play one of the best teams in the world.  But it will also be a good opportunity for us.  They are always such a good team to play against.  Hopefully put some goals away and hopefully we can win."