20/3/24
Above: Michelle Heyman (second left) celebrates after scoring against Uzbekistan last time out in Melbourne. Photo: Tilly McDonald for Impetus.
Twenty-three players have been named in the Australia squad for the upcoming international with Mexico which will take place Toyota Field, San Antonio, USA.
The Matildas will take on the recent Concacaf W Gold Cup semi-finalists on Tuesday 9th April 2024 (local) / Wednesday, 10 April 2024 (AEST) in their first meeting in thirteen years.
The match will mark the first outing for the team since qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games, and will formally commence Australia’s preparations for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Matildas’ Head Coach Tony Gustavsson said: “Following the achievement of Paris qualification, our attention turns fully to ensuring the best preparation in terms of matches and training activity for the Olympics.”
“With our opponents revealed at the Olympic Draw this Thursday, our extremely challenging assignment over the coming months, and next two FIFA international windows is to narrow down on the final 18 players that will provide the best chance for success when taking on those rivals in France.
“That those decisions will be difficult speaks to the genuine depth and competition for places that we have created over the past three years. Unfortunately, due to limited roster spots for the Olympics, that results in some very good players in strong form missing out on selection for this window and for the Olympics,” he concluded.
In a squad that features many familiar and consistent performers for club and country, it contains players from 16 different clubs, including three clubs from the A-League Women’s competition.
It also sees two changes from the squad that aided Australia in defeating Uzbekistan 13-0 on aggregate in Tashkent and Melbourne during the Round 3 Asian Qualifiers.
Defender Courtney Nevin has earned a recall fresh off assisting Leicester City in securing a place in the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals for the first time. A blistering six goals in her last five matches for Sydney FC, including three braces, has seen the in-form Cortnee Vine back in the reckoning after taking personal leave from February’s qualifiers.
Midfielder Chloe Logarzo (hip) has been ruled out through injury, while goalkeeper Lydia Williams (ankle), defender Charlie Rule, and forward Sam Kerr (knee) all continue rehab in their club environments.
“We have been consistent on the keys for squad selection which incorporates individuals for club and in previous camps, combined with connection and chemistry This 23-player squad looks to balance those areas as best as possible,” Gustavsson explained.
“The upcoming international against Mexico will see one eye on preparation mode against a quality opponent who recently defeated the USWNT last month, while also continuing to implement our evolving playing style ahead of what will be a very competitive Olympic tournament,” Gustavsson concluded.
| Name | Position | Club | Caps/(Goals) | |
| Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | West Ham United | 46 (0) | |
| Ellie CARPENTER (VC) | Back | Olympique Lyonnais | 74 (4) | |
| Steph CATLEY (C) | Back | Arsenal | 123 (5) | |
| Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Arsenal | 42 (0) | |
| Caitlin FOORD | Forward | Arsenal | 121 (35) | |
| Mary FOWLER | Midfielder | Manchester City | 50 (15) | |
| Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | West Ham United | 107 (17) | |
| Charlotte GRANT | Back | Tottenham Hotspur | 23 (1) | |
| Michelle HEYMAN | Forward | Canberra United | 63 (25) | |
| Clare HUNT | Back | Paris Saint-Germain | 18 (0) | |
| Alanna KENNEDY | Back | Manchester City | 121 (9) | |
| Aivi LUIK | Back | BK Häcken | 45 (1) | |
| Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | Liverpool | 17 (0) | |
| Courtney NEVIN | Back | Leicester City | 27 (0) | |
| Clare POLKINGHORNE | Back | Kristianstads DFF | 165 (16) | |
| Hayley RASO | Forward | Real Madrid | 84 (16) | |
| Amy SAYER | Forward | Kristianstads DFF | 11 (1) | |
| Kaitlyn TORPEY | Back | San Diego Wave | 2 (1) | |
| Emily VAN EGMOND (VC) | Midfielder | San Diego Wave FC | 141 (31) | |
| Cortnee VINE | Forward | Sydney FC | 26 (3) | |
| Clare WHEELER | Midfielder | Everton | 18 (1) | |
| Jada WHYMAN | Goalkeeper | Sydney FC | 0 (0) | |
| Tameka YALLOP | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC | 121 (13) | |
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