09:06

5 mins Many players on the pitch right now know and are friends with their opponents, having played against and with each other in America’s NWSL before the recent exodus to Europe.. Morgan is with possession again but can’t find space to supply Rapinoe.

09:03

Peep! We’re away!

2 mins The US team have taken a knee as Australia link arms. The US are on the front foot from the get-go but the flag has gone up against Alex Morgan. Kerr tries her luck. No dice.

09:00

There’s been a very late change for the Matildas, with Caitlin Foord exiting during the warm-up. She’s been replaced by Mary Fowler.

08:59

So, let’s get started. How will Australia’s defence deal with the US attack. How will the US deal with Sam Kerr, who scored twice against Sweden? The anthems have been played and we are about to kick off.

Updated

08:56

There are a few changes in both teams. Vlatko Andonovski in particular has made five changes to his starting XI. In attack, Alex Morgan and Christen Press get the nod aheda of Carli Lloyd and Heath Tobin, with Rapinoe still on the other wing. Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Sonnett get starts at centre-back and right-back respectively and Lindsay Horan gets a slot in midfield.

For Australia, Alanna Kennedy replaces Aivi Luik in central defence and Chloe Logarzo comes in at the expense of Hayley Raso. Steph Catley has again been deployed further up the pitch.

08:32

Preamble

Emma Kemp

Last week, when the United States opened their Olympic campaign with a shock 3-0 loss to Sweden, Donald Trump claimed the defeat was the result of the national team’s “wokeism”. It was a reference to the squad’s – in particular outspoken midfielder Megan Rapinoe – widely applauded stance on racial prejudice and discrimination which, he believed, causes one to become “warped” and “demented”. The former president may have still been busy working on his fundamental misunderstanding of English grammar when Vlatko Andonovski’s side took their “wokeism” and turned it into six goals against New Zealand.

The 6-1 result has lifted the world No 1 Americans to second in Group G, which makes this match against Australia very interesting indeed. The Matildas, after an opening 2-1 win over New Zealand and 4-2 loss to leaders Sweden, are third. Both have three points with only this one match to play, which means a lot is riding on the next 90 minutes. The US have a superior goal difference of +2 to Australia’s -1, which could well come into account in the case of a draw. It must be said, though, that if one of these teams miss out on a top-two spot and automatic progression they are very likely to go through anyway as one of the two best third-ranked teams across the three groups. Of course, New Zealand technically still have a shot but, with zero points, a -6 goal difference and a final game against a Swedish side that is frankly on fire, I am not putting my eggs in the Football Ferns’ basket.

There’s no kind way of putting this: Sam Kerr’s Matildas will be up against it to win this. Tony Gustavsson’s world No 9 team have improved markedly in recent weeks, but they have beaten the US only once – a 1-0 victory in 2018. Right, this should be fun! Got a question, comment or concern? My details are above.

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