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Olympics Preview: USA

Impetus’ North American women’s football expert Catherine Paquette details the United States (pictured above by USA Soccer), who are one of the red hot favourites to take the gold medal in Tokyo.

Squad News:

The final US Olympic roster was largely unsurprising. Nearly all players brought to Tokyo were those who had seen the most game time in the 2021 build-up. The exclusion of Margaret Purce and Andi Sullivan did stir debate, due to their recent form, as did the inclusion of Tobin Heath and Julie Ertz, due to their recent injuries.

Since the squad was announced in June, Tobin Heath has returned to play against Mexico and showed that she is back to full health. In the latest team pictures though Julie Ertz still had a knee brace on. They, alongside the other twenty players on the team, are part of a squad made up of seasoned veterans with a few Olympic debutants.

Jane Campbell, Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Adrianna Franch, Casey Krueger, Catarina Macario, Emily Sonnett, Lynn Williams, Rose Lavelle, and sisters Kristie and Samantha Mewis will all be playing in their first Olympic Games. However, more than half those debutants were part of the last Women’s World Cup team and therefore have major tournament experience.

Alyssa Naeher, Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan and Christen Press will be at their second Games, although technically it is a third for Press if you consider the fact she travelled to the London Olympics as an alternate. Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe will be at their third Olympics. Finally, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd will be attending their fourth Olympics.

The team is on the older side, with an average age just a touch under thirty years of age. In total they have two thousand one hundred and nineteen caps between them, with only Catarina Macario and goalkeepers Adrianna Franch and Jane Campbell having less than ten caps. At twenty-one years of age Macario is the youngest player in the team.

Eight players have over one hundred caps while Carli Lloyd has three-hundred and six caps and is the highest goal scorer on the team with one hundred and twenty six international goals. At thirty-nine years of age she is the oldest player on the team.

Coach:

Vlatko Andonovski took over as head coach of the United States women’s national team after Jill Ellis stepped away from the position in October 2019. Prior to his time in charge of the US, Andonovski had had a seven year NWSL head coaching career in which he won the NWSL Championship twice.

Since taking over as US manager his team has won twenty-two matches and had only one draw, which came against Sweden earlier this year. This is the best start record of any US women’s team head coach ever.

Olympic History:

The United States have participated in every Olympic women’s football tournament since it was introduced in 1996. They won silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and gold at 1996 Atlanta, 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing and the 2012 London Games.

The only games where the US did not medal was the most recent, the 2016 Rio Olympics. They were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Sweden. It was their worst major tournament result ever.

Let's take a moment to appreciate this glorious team goal 🤩

(it didn't count but it's still beautiful) @USWNT pic.twitter.com/nolcWU2ZgK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2021

Above: The USA showing what they are capable of with a stunning team goal against Mexico.

Qualifying:

The Americans qualified for the Tokyo games through the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying championship held in February 2020. The US, alongside Mexico and Canada, received automatic entry into the championship.

The eight team tournament started with a four team group stage phase. The top two teams from each group then progressed to the semi-finals, with the first placed teams playing the second placed teams of the opposite group. The winners of each semi-final were the CONCACAF’s entrants for the Tokyo Olympics.

The United States topped Group A, winning all their matches against Costa Rica, Haiti and Panama with an eighteen goal difference. They then beat Mexico in the semi-final stage 4-0 to qualify for the Tokyo games.

The Americans did not concede a single goal during the whole of the qualifying championship.

Strengths:

The Americans arguably have many strengths. An important one is their squad depth. There really is no change that Andonovsky could make from the starters to the bench that would result in a marked drop in performance of the team. They have twenty-two players who are each highly talented, experienced and capable of dealing with any opponents.

Their physical fitness is also a strength. The American program has always prized fitness as a key part of their game, playing a heavily physical and fast style of football. While the team may be older than its Olympic counterparts, that will not affect the US’s ability to field players who can play ninety-minutes every three days.

Development Areas:

To find development areas in the US side is to nit-pick. This is because the squad is very strong in nearly every position. There have been issues raised about the possible speed of the outside backs, with the notable exception of Crystal Dunn, and whether they could be tripped up by some of the fast wingers they could face. However, they are all experienced and have shown the capabilities of defending well out wide.

With Julie Ertz currently injured, the team has no other six. While Lindsey Horan has played the position in recent games, she is better suited up the field. The American midfield should be able to deal with its opponents in the group stage, but they will hope that Ertz is back to full health should they meet a more technical team like the Netherlands or Japan later on.

Goalkeeping is also an area that could trip up the US. Alyssa Naeher is expected to be the starter. While she has at times been the best goalkeeper in the NWSL, she has shown that she can be prone to mistakes. However, those have been less and less in recent years. This tournament could be the one where she finally silences her critics.

Key Players:

Captain Becky Sauerbrunn will continue her reign of calm, collected and controlled play in the back line. While there are players who could come on and replace her skill-wise at centre back, should she get injured or be subbed off, the leadership Sauerbrunn brings to the US side cannot be understated.

The midfield duo of Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle are important for chance creation. Lavelle had an amazing 2019 Women’s World Cup, where she showed her skill to the world. Horan could equally do this alongside her in midfield at these Tokyo games.

The American forward line-up is frightening, if you are an opposition. Christen Press, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have been in incredible shape this year for both club and country. Even an older Carli Lloyd and a returned injured Tobin Heath have shown how deadly they still are. When the ball makes it up front, opposition defenders will have a lot to contend with.

One to watch:

**Above:** Sam Mewis scoring from the spot for the USA against Sweden recently. **Photo:** The Guardian

Samantha Mewis has had a terrific FAWSL season with Manchester City. The 2020 US Soccer female player of the year continued this form upon her return to America with the North Carolina Courage.

While Mewis does not get on the scoreboard as often as some of her more famous American teammates, she has been vital to the transition and offensive development capabilities of the US for a few years now. The Tokyo Olympics have the capacity of highlighting this in the same way the 2019 Women’s World Cup highlighted her former Manchester City teammate Rose Lavelle’s skill and vision.

If you want to see where the US’s goals end, watch the strikers. If you want to see where the US’s goals begin, watch Samantha Mewis.

Prediction:

The United States is in the so-called group of death. While they should beat the Kiwis, and a victory against the recently out of form Australians is easily within their reach, Sweden will not be an easy game for them. The Swedes are the only team in the last eighteen months to hold the US to a draw. Despite this, the US should be able to finish in the top two of their group and is arguably expected to top it.

As the 2016 Rio Olympics showed us, knock-out phases of tournaments can be unpredictable. Still, it would be a second rare shock indeed should the Americans be eliminated again at this stage.

However, with the team the US has they should reach the podium, with gold being a goal they could realistically achieve.

Group Fixtures including KO times (local/UK):

Date	Match	Time
Wed, July 21	Sweden vs. USA	9:30 BST
Sat, July 24	New Zealand vs. USA	12:30 am BST
Tues, July 27	USA vs. Australia	9 am BST

Olympics Preview: Canada

Catherine Paquette provides an in-depth preview of the Canadian national side ahead of the Olympic Games. The squad are pictured above after receiving their bronze medals at Rio 2016 (Picture: Canada Soccer).

Squad News:

Canada’s squad announcement did not have many surprises, both in its exclusions or inclusions. As it has for many years, the Canadians decided to field a team composed of a mixture of veteran players with a number of younger debutants.

The oldest player on the squad is goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who is 38. The youngest is Jordyn Huitema, who is 20. Only three players in the squad have ten caps or less with Évelyne Viens being the one with the least amount at seven. Two players have more than two-hundred caps, two other players more than one-hundred caps. In total the Canadian squad has one thousand seven hundred and fifty one caps between them.

Of the twenty-two players selected, Vanessa Gilles, Jordyn Huitema, Jayde Riviere, Julia Grosso, Adriana Leon and Evelyne Viens are making their Olympic debuts. Kailen Sheridan and Gabrielle Carle are making their first team appearance after having gone to Rio as alternates.

This means that the other fourteen players on the team are going to Tokyo as defending bronze medalists. Four of them, Erin McLeod, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt and Christine Sinclair are double-defending bronze medalists, having also been part of the 2012 London Olympic squad.

This year’s squad is only composed of only four players playing their football at the American collegiate level. The other eighteen are full time professionals who play in the NWSL, the Division 1, the FAWSL and the Damallsvenskan.

The other players not mentioned going to Tokyo are: Stephanie Labbé, Allysha Chapman, Kadeisha Buchanan, Shelina Zadorsky, Quinn, Deanne Rose, Ashley Lawrence, Nichelle Prince, Janine Beckie and Jessie Fleming.

Coach:

The Canadian national team coach Bev Priesman will not be foreign to any Canada or England fans. Prior to being named to the top Canadian job in October 2020 she served as assistant coach for the English women’s national team, as part of the Phil Neville’s set up. She had joined England from John Herdman’s Canadian national set up, where she was also an assistant coach for the team.

Priestman also coached the Canadian U-17 and U-20 teams from 2013-16 and 2017-18 respectively. Despite her short reign entering the Tokyo Olympics, she is extremely familiar to both veteran and rookie Canadian national team players.

Since taking over as coach Priestman’s side has lost twice, to the US and Brazil, won three times, to Argentina, Wales and England, and drawn three times, to the Czech Republic, Brazil and the Netherlands.

**Above:** Canada Head Coach Bev Priestman. **Photo:** Boris Streubel FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Olympic History:

This will be the fourth Olympics for Canada, having qualified for every games since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics the team won back-to-back bronze medals.

In the process they became the first Canadian summer Olympic sports team to win back to back medals.

Qualifying:

The Canadians qualified for the Tokyo games through the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying championship held in February 2020. Canada, alongside Mexico and the United States, received automatic entry into the championship.

Canada topped Group B, winning all its matches against Mexico, Jamaica and St. Kitts & Nevis by a margin of twenty-two goals for to zero goals against. They then won their semi-final against Costa Rica to qualify.

Strengths:

Canada is a seasoned team with a wealth of both World Cup and Olympic experience. That experience extends through nearly the entirety of the squad. They are lead by a coach who has known them for years, and who also intimately knows one of their biggest group stage opponents, Team GB.

Canada experimented at times with their line-ups this year, however whatever formation or changes were made the team’s defence continued to shine. In total they have conceded six goals in their eight 2021 games, registering five clean sheets.

Development Areas:

While the Canadians have managed to outshoot their opponents in most matches this year, their offence has at times shown to be lacking. The Canadians have a lot of talent in midfield but the talent up front has not always matched it of late. Over the last few years finding the back of the net has at times been difficult with the Canadian transition from midfield into the final third being lacklustre.

This tendency continued to raise its nose in 2021. The one positive offensively that Canada can look too though is that when they have scored this year they have not been dependent on a single player to find the back of the net. The nine 2021 Canadian goals have come from six different individuals who play in both midfield and as strikers. All but one will be present in Tokyo.

Key Players:

To start the entire back line of PSG’s Ashley Lawrence, Lyon’s Kadeisha Buchanan, Tottenham’s Shelina Zadorsky and the Houston Dash’s Allysha Chapman. For Canada to succeed this year they will need their defensive structure to stay strong and mitigate goals. The Canadians will be lucky, all four players are back to full health ahead of the group stage.

In midfield the quartet of Houston’s Desiree Scott, OL Reign’s Quinn, Chelsea’s Jessie Fleming and Manchester City’s Janine Beckie can be game changers for Canada. Scott and Quinn play more in defensive positions giving cover and allowing for Fleming and Beckie to move forward into attacking positions. All are seasoned club and international players with the capacity to change games.

One to watch:

**Above:** Christine Sinclair. **Photo:** The Canadian Press/AP Andy Jacobsohn.

No mention of the Canadian national women’s soccer team can be made without referring to Christine Sinclair. Sinclair is the highest international goal scorer ever, male or female, for any nation. In her two hundred and ninety nine Canadian appearances she has scored one hundred and eighty six times. To put it bluntly, every time she scores from now on she makes a new record.

Sinclair has been pulled back in recent years for both her club the Portland Thorns and for Canada from a striker to a false nine position. While this has reduced her goal scoring rate slightly, it has translated into more service and opportunity creation on her part for her team. This is not to say her scoring has stopped. Only last month she became the third NWSL player to reach the 50 regular-season goal milestone.

Despite having turned 38 years old this past week, Sinclair seems to have gotten sharper with age without losing her first step, her deadly shot or her endurance. When Canada are playing, fans should look at number 12, the record breaker.

Prediction:

Like every group, Canada’s is not an easy one. In Group E they open the tournament against hosts Japan, followed by Chile and finish with Team GB. They are capable of beating all these teams, if their defence remains strong and they find the back of the net. If not it is also possible for them to get beaten by all these teams except arguably Chile.

Canada do have the talent and experience to at a minimum repeat their bronze medal performance, maybe even go for silver or gold. However, their progression past the quarter-final phase will be dependent on how well they do in the group stage, and who their first knock out opponents are.

Group Fixtures including KO times (local/UK)

Japan v Canada, 21 July, Sapporo Dome, 19:30 local/11:30 BST

Chile v Canada, 24 July, Sapporo Dome, 16:30 local/8:30 BST

Canada v Great Britain, 27 July, Kashima Stadium, 20:00 local/12:00 BST

Olympics Preview: Chile

Jean-Pierre Thiesset casts his eye over tournament debutants La Roja Femenina (pictured above at the 2019 World Cup by Getty Images).

Squad News:

The Chile women’s national football team has been known or nicknamed as “La Roja Femenina (The Feminine Red)”.

For Chile, 2019 will remain in the history of the country as the year of the Women’s Football Revolution. After its participated in the FIFA Women World Cup, “La Roja” achieved its best FIFA Women’s World Ranking being of 37th.

Christiane Endler, national team goalkeeper and arguably their most famous player revealed the consequences of that World Cup appearance: “We have seen a lot of changes lately. Women football is more supported and valorized. We enjoy greater visibility, and now people know the players. Several clubs came back from their bias and decided to create training centres for girls”.

In recent international matches, the team has already started to prepare for its next challenge, the Olympic Football Tournament in Tokyo. Head coach José Letelier, is optimistic. “I’m happy with the work and the focus of my players. We know that some adjustments are related to learning and progress, but I think we’re on the right track.”

Coach:

**Above:** José Antonio Letelier Henríquez. **Photo:** World Football.Net

José Antonio Letelier Henríquez has been head coach of the Chile women’s national football team since 2015.

He played mostly for Chilean teams and in 1988 Colo-Colo sent Letelier and three other young players on loan to Alianza Lima, whose team had perished in the 1987 Alianza Lima plane crash.

Olympics History:

Chile qualified for the first time this year for Olympic Games.

Qualifying:

Chile qualified by beating Cameroon in the Women’s Olympic Qualifying – CAF-CONMEBOL Play-Off in April 2021.

Strengths:

A few experimented players who played in France (Christiane Endler and Francisca Lara), or in Spain (Camilla Saez, Javiera Toro, and Yanada Aedo). A fighting spirit and a desire to progress.

Development Areas:

The Chile team lack of experience at high level with only one participation in World Cup before qualifying for Olympic Games.

Key Players:

**Above:** Christiane Endler .Photo: Between the Sticks.

Christiane Endler Mutinelli, the national team’s goalkeeper for the played for Paris St. Germain from 2017 until June 2021. On 21 June 2021, PSG rival’s and perennial French women’s’ champions Olympique Lyonnais announced the signing of Endler for the upcoming season. She is widely regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world. In both 2019 and 2020, she finished as runner-up in the Women’s Goalkeeper Awards at the FIFA Best Football Awards. She has 81 caps for the Chile Women’s national team.

Francisca Lara, known as Pancha Lara, plays as a midfielder for D1 Arkema (French Women top flight) side Le Havre AC. She has 72 caps for the Chile Women’s national team and has scored 21 goals.

One to watch:

Yastin Jiménez, 20 years-old is an emerging star who plays as a midfielder for Colo-Colo, Chile.

Prediction:

Chile (37th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings) are in Group E with Japan (11^th), Canada (8^th) and Great Britain (5^th). It will be a huge surprise if they are able to qualify for the quarter-finals from this group with experienced teams even as one of the two best third teams of all teams in the first round.

Group Fixtures:

Date	Game	Location	Time (Local/UK)
July 21	Great Britain – Chile	Sapporo	17:30/9:30
July 24	Canada – Chile	Sapporo	17:30/9:30
July 27	Japan – Chile	Miyagi	21:00/13:00

Rebekah Stott: Making an Inspiring Return To Football

by Catherine Paquette

To any fan of the W-League, the name Rebekah Stott (pictured above on her return to the sport by Rachel Bach) is well known. The twenty-eight year old has played in Australia’s top league for the better part of a decade, winning the league five times while representing the Brisbane Roar, the Melbourne Victory and since 2015, Melbourne City.

Playing abroad is also not new to Stott. The Kiwi-born Australian-raised footballer had played in Germany, the US and Norway. She was supposed to be starting a new chapter in her footballing career with Brighton & Hove Albion in the English FA Women’s Super League this past season.

However, prior to departing something was not right. It was last June that Stott had found a little lump above her collarbone. After an inconclusive biopsy in Melbourne, where she lived at the time, she departed for her new club. The lump did not go away though, it kept growing.

By October, now in the UK and playing for Brighton, she returned to the doctor who booked her another needle biopsy. Due to COVID-19’s effect on the British medical system, Stott would not find out until January that the lump was most likely Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Within 26 hours she was on a plane headed back to Australia. It was while she was in quarantine in Sydney that the final results came in and the diagnosis was confirmed from the UK. It was in fact Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which is a form of blood cancer.

Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I know the journey ahead will be difficult, but I want to face each obstacle with a positive mindset and help inspire others who have blood cancer too. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JsAORHhLG7
— Rebekah Stott (@stotty_13) March 2, 2021

After in-vitro treatment to preserve her fertility, Stott started her treatments last March at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne. The treatment included an aggressive six cycles of chemotherapy.

She made the brave decision to share and document her journey along the way, setting up and keeping an online blog of her Lymphoma battle at https://www.beatitbystotty.com.

Stott also raised more than AU$22,000 for the Australian Leukaemia Foundation as part of the Greatest Shave campaign when she said good bye to her hair last April.

She has since completed her treatment cycles, and is awaiting a PET scan to determine if she is in complete remission. These results should come on the same day as the Football Ferns play the Matildas in the opening match of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

As Stott represented both Australia at the youth level and New Zealand at the senior level, she has described the match as a special game, filled with friends on both sides of the opposition. Stott herself has already represented the Football Ferns at the London and Rio Olympics, and has 81 senior caps for New Zealand.

She will arguably be very missed by the Ferns, both for her skills on the field, and her leadership on and off it. Football is not over though for Stott.

Following the go ahead from her doctors she contacted her best friend who also happens to be the head coach of the Melbourne-based Bulleen Lions.

It was in Tuesday night’s match that Stott took her first steps back into football by being subbed in for the Lions’.

When describing the moment on Twitter she stated:

“Words can’t describe the feelings and emotions. It’s been without doubt the most challenging period of my life, but it was so special to return to the pitch and you certainly can’t wipe that smile!”

Welcome back to the pitch Stotty!

You can follow Stott’s journey through her blog:

https://www.beatitbystotty.com/journey/euphoria

Been commentating @stotty_13's games for 11 years…long may that continue. Welcome back to the field, congratulations on another milestone ticked off. https://t.co/lay73AX2rt

Thanks @NMSMediaAU & @FCBulleenLions for the footage pic.twitter.com/9W5ounniuy
— Teo Pellizzeri (@teopellizzeri) July 13, 2021

Olympics Preview: Australia

Ben Gilby profiles The Matildas (picture above via Football Australia) who take their place in by far the toughest group at the Games.

Squad News:

Australia’s squad for the Olympic Games is one filled with players plying their trade in some of the biggest clubs in women’s football including FA Women’s Super League title and Golden Boot winner Sam Kerr, Olympique Lyonnais’ star defender Ellie Carpenter, UEFA Women’s Champions League bound Arsenal trio, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams, as well as W-League Grand Final match winner Kyra Cooney-Cross.

The squad selected is a mix of youth and experience, with three players recording over 100 international appearances for Australia. Teenagers Cooney-Cross and Mary Fowler join Teagan Micah, Emily Gielnik, Hayley Raso, Charli Grant, Courtney Nevin, Laura Brock and veteran Aivi Luik as the nine Olympic debutants.

The squad, which looks very strong on paper does not come without a few potentially risky selections. Tony Gustavsson has called up both Elise Kellond-Knight and Chloe Logarzo, both of whom have been side-lined for injuries for a lengthy period, and who have not played for the Matildas since the pandemic. First choice goalkeeper Lydia Williams has been out for much of last season with Arsenal. Teagan Micah has also come in as goalkeeper after impressive against Sweden in the June friendly. Long time second choice goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold of West Ham United has also been selected.

Another player called up is South Australian star Charli Grant, who has yet to make her international debut despite being called up for the Denmark and Sweden friendlies.

Whilst the return of Logarzo and Kellond-Knight is a risk, it is not a surprise. Speaking at his press conference prior to the friendlies with Denmark and Sweden, head coach Tony Gustavsson told me that, although Logarzo was not ready for those two games he was in “constant contact with her” in order for there to be an opportunity to take the former Bristol City player to Tokyo, such is her massive importance to the Matildas. Equally, Gustavsson admitted to me that he selected Kellond-Knight for the Scandinavian friendlies despite knowing she wasn’t yet fit to play as he wanted to have a good look at her in training.

Coach:

Tony Gustavsson has a hugely impressive CV which saw him picked from a strong list of candidates to lead the Matildas into what is arguably the biggest three years in their history with the Olympics followed by next year’s Asia Cup and 2023’s World Cup which Australia are joint hosts of.

Forty-seven year-old Gustavsson was born in Sundsvall, where he started his playing career in 1989 a sixteen year playing career ended with him taking charge of Degerfors IF men’s side in the second tier of the Swedish game. He then took over at top tier side Hammarby IF and led the Stockholm side into the UEFA Cup. The Matildas coach took his first coaching position in women’s football with Tyreso FF and immediately led them to the top flight championship. Two years later, under Gustavsson, Tyreso FF made the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final where they went down 4-3 to mighty Wolfsburg. His success with Tyreso attracted the attention of the USNWT which saw him help to shape a team that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games plus the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019.

Olympics History:

This is Australia’s fourth appearance in the Olympics, with their first entry into the competition coming as the host nation in 2000. In Sydney, the Matildas finished the group stages with a draw and two losses. Their other two previous trips to the Games both saw Australia make the Quarter-Finals. Athens 2004 saw a win over Greece, a draw with the USA and a loss to Brazil before going down 2-1 to Sweden in the last eight. After missing out in 2008 and 2012, the Matildas beat Zimbabwe, drew with Germany and lost to Canada before facing host nation Brazil in the quarter-finals in Rio. Despite a heroic effort in front of over 52,500 screaming Brazilians in Belo Horizonte, the Matildas went down 7-6 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.

Qualifying: The Matildas qualified for the Olympics in March 2020, with Emily van Egmond and Sam Kerr leading the Australian charge during the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Group stage which was belatedly held in Australia. They eventually clinched their place at Tokyo with victory in Vietnam just prior to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Strengths:

Attack, creativity and never say die spirit. A team who can boast Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso and the young talent of Kyra Cooney-Cross have to be taken very seriously as an attacking threat. Add the marauding runs of Ellie Carpenter from right back into the equation and you have a very dangerous team.

Development Areas:

There are several risky selections in the squad with the likes of Lydia Williams, Steph Catley, Chloe Logarzo and Elise Kellond-Knight playing very little football in recent months. Additionally, Gustavsson’s switch to three at the back is a work in progress, but one which will stand the team in good stead over the coming months. The Matildas have only played five matches since February 2020 and this, plus a group of players still getting used to working with a new head coach makes matters more challenging than they otherwise would have been.

Key Players:

Sam Kerr

**Photo Supplied To Us By:** Football Australia

No Matildas article is complete without reference to the Queen of East Fremantle.

Kerr represented Australia an U17 and U20 level before making her senior debut for the Matildas at the age of 15 in February 2009 against Italy. A year later, she scored a goal in the AFC Asian Women’s Cup Final against North Korea when Australia lifted the trophy. Aged 17, Sam was selected in Australia’s 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad. Four years later, she was an integral part of the Matildas squad who made the Quarter-Finals of the tournament in Canada. For the 2019 World Cup in France, Kerr was named captain and scored five goals in Australia’s four matches. She presently has a total of 42 goals to go with her 92 caps.

Kerr’s first club, at the age of 12 was Western Knights, based in Mosman Park just three miles from her home town. Within three years, Sam had attended trials for Western Australia’s state team and then moved across to Perth Glory, the state’s sole W-League side. Making her debut at the age of 15, she was named as the league’s Player’s Player of the Year in 2009 – an incredible statistic. Her stay at the Glory lasted until 2012 when she joined Sydney FC. Kerr played for Western New York Flash for the first NWSL season in 2013 and made it all the way to the Grand Final where they lost to Portland Thorns.

She returned to home club Perth Glory who she represented in the W-League side from 2014-19 in between spells in America. Back in the purple and orange of her local senior side, Kerr led the Glory to two W-League Grand Finals and was in incredible form for the Western Australians, scoring a total of 52 goals in 49 games. In this period the East Fremantle born star spent two seasons with Sky Blue FC in the NWSL and in 2017, at the age of just 23 became the all-time top scorer in NWSL history. The same season saw her winning the NWSL Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player Award.

Kerr spent the 2018 and 2019 NWSL seasons with Chicago Red Stars, for whom she played in the Championship game. Her American adventure ended with the honour of being the first player to be named as the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player twice, and top scorer three times.

In November 2019, to great media fanfare, Kerr announced that she would join Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League, and she made her debut in January 2020. In her time at the club, she has won two FAWSL titles, two Continental Cups, a Community Shield and played in a UEFA Champions League Final.

Ellie Carpenter

Carpenter has been the jewel in the crown of the next generation of Australian women footballers for a long time now. In fact it’s a shock that she still is just 21 years-old as she seems to have been around forever.

Ellie moved in W-League soccer with Western Sydney Wanderers, aged fifteen with her international debut coming only seven months later on 2^nd March 2016 against Vietnam in an Olympic Games Qualifier played in Osaka.

Two years later she transferred to Canberra United where she played twenty-one games and scored five goals – not bad at all for a defender.

In 2018 there was another huge milestone in Carpenter’s career when she moved to the National Women’s Soccer League with Portland Thorns, becoming both the youngest ever player in the competition and the youngest goal scorer. Two years with the Thorns included a loan spell with Melbourne City in the 2019/20 W-League which saw her lift the championship trophy following their 1-0 win over Sydney FC in the Grand Final. A move to Olympique Lyonnais last summer pushed Carpenter into the big time and, in a difficult season which saw the club surrender both the French D1 and Champions League titles that they have held for so long, she performed outstandingly well.

One to watch:

Kyra Cooney-Cross

This 19 year-old who made her senior Matildas international debut on 10^th June in Denmark potentially has the world at her feet. Cooney-Cross trialled with the Mini Matildas at the age of 14 and made her W-League debut for Melbourne Victory a year later. Two months after that debut, she scored her first W-League goal – a header against Newcastle Jets and went on to play in every game for the Victory that season.

A move to Western Sydney Wanderers in 2019 saw Cooney-Cross score four times in twelve games as she was part of the team making their first ever Finals appearance.

The W-League season just gone saw the teenager return to Melbourne Victory and go up a level and then some. Some powerful runs from midfield, vicious shots on goal, plus absolute wizardry from set-pieces marked her out as one of the best players, if not the best player in the competition. All this before she single-handedly decided the 2021 W-League Grand Final. With the clock moving over the 120 minute mark at the end of extra time, up stepped Kyra to take a corner on the left hand side. The 19 year-old curled a stunning effort straight into the net to win the Grand Final for Melbourne Victory. It was no fluke. She meant it. She has an incredible record for Australia at U17 level where she scored fourteen goals in as many games and U20 level where Cooney-Cross netted seven times in eight matches.

Prediction:

The Matildas are in the group of death to end all group of deaths. If they can qualify, particularly placed first or second, then anything is possible. For starters, a quarter-final place would be a great achievement given everything the squad have had to deal with. Once in the last eight, potentially, anything could happen.

Group Fixtures inc KO times (local/UK)

21^st July v New Zealand (Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, 12:30pm UK)

24th July v Sweden (Saitama Stadium, Saitama, 9:30am UK) 27th July v USA (Kashima Stadium, Ibaraki, 9:00am UK)

Ben Gilby writes for Beyond90, Australia’s leading independent women’s football platform. Visit https://beyond90.com.au/

Olivia Watson: Great First Season at Sutton

Ben Gilby caught up with Sutton United’s Olivia Watson (pictured above by Paul Loughlin), who we are proud to co-sponsor with Since ’71 to find out about how her final games of the campaign went and her aims for the new season.

Olivia began by outlining what she’s been up to on and off the pitch since we last caught up a two months or so ago. “I have been enjoying being back in training and we have been fortunate to have been playing regular Sunday matches up until our season ended. We are currently having a short break from football until preseason starts in early July. Off the pitch, I have been enjoying the restrictions being lifted slightly and being able to go out and spend time with friends and family.”

Sutton United had plenty of games since restrictions were lifted, both in the London and South-East Round Robin competition and the Capital Intermediate Cup. “The Spring round robin cup was a good experience as we were able to play teams that we haven’t played this season and wouldn’t have in our league. We played really well in all our games and won them all, even beating teams in the league above us, which was amazing and a great confidence boost for us all. We also then played in the Capital Intermediate cup and won our quarter-final, 3-1 but unfortunately were knocked out in the semis, which was disappointing.”

“I think my form has been quite good, not the level I want to or strive to be at but considering the long breaks due to Covid this season, I am happy with how I have played since coming back in March. I was a bit rusty at first and have only managed to score three times, which is something I want to improve on next season. However, I feel that my speed on the ball has been good and my confidence with the ball at my feet has improved.”

“In terms of how the team have progressed, I feel that we have really grown and come together. We have been working hard in training and performing well in our matches – we have been playing some of the best football we have played this season. We have worked on some aspects of our game, which we have shown on the pitch, and scored lots of goals, which helped us to win our group in the Spring Round Robin Cup. Now, I am really looking forward to pre-season and continuing this.”

**Above:** Olivia advancing into the box in a post lock down Spring Series game for Sutton United. **Photo:** Paul Loughlin,

Looking ahead to next season, Olivia’s plans are already settled. “I will definitely still be at Sutton, I have recently signed a new contract for the 2021/22 season and can’t wait to be with the team pushing for promotion. Despite the men’s team having to take up their 4G pitch having won promotion to the EFL, we will still be playing our home games at Gander Green Lane on the stadium pitch, which is very exciting and amazing opportunity for us all.”

With only a short gap between the end of the spring matches and pre-season starting, Olivia outlined her plans for the next few weeks.

“We have had a couple of weeks or so off and I have been spending as much time as I can with my friends and family, going for food and drinks, watching the Euros and enjoying a bit of freedom. I also went away, in the UK, with my family for a weekend, which was great. I have also been going to the gym and running, so hopefully, I can maintain my fitness ready for pre-season.”

With the FA having recently announced the re-allocation of clubs to various divisions as a result of applications, Sutton United will remain in the London & South-East Regional League Division One (tier six).

“I’m not 100% sure what the league will look like for next season,” Olivia commented, “but I know that Walton Casuals and Dorking Wanderers have moved up into the league and New London Lionesses have gone up to the Premier Division. So, I think it will be, us, Hackney, Clapham, Victorie, Watford, Phoenix, Walton Casuals and Dorking Wandererss, so it should be a good competitive season, in which hopefully we will be pushing for the top.”

Olympics Preview: Great Britain

Darrell Allen profiles Team GB who make their first appearance in the women’s football event at the Olympic Games since 2012 (as pictured above via Sky Sports).

Squad News:

After the excitement that the England team brought to the men’s Euros, it is now the turn of Team GB in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, delayed of course by one year due to the pandemic but the sense of anticipation is greater than ever with it being only the second time Team GB have entered a team into the women’s football section of this prestigious event.

Being based in Norfolk, I am very proud to see the inclusion of Lauren Hemp in the squad, notably as Team GB’s youngest player. The squad sees ten other debutants from England – Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Fran Kirby, Nikita Parris, Ellie Roebuck, Georgia Stanway, Demi Stokes, Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson along with Wales’ Sophie Ingle and Scotland’s Caroline Weir.

There are also five players from the London 2012 games with Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Ellen White and Kim Little returning to the GB fold. Sandy MacIver, Carly Telford, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles and Ella Toone complete the squad.

Coach:

Hege Riise will take charge of the squad in Tokyo, and with experience at the Games herself having won gold with Norway at Sydney in 2000. Riise is a coach of the highest calibre and is one of only three women in the world to have won the holy grail of the Olympics, World Cup and European Championships. She celebrates her birthday tomorrow (18^th July) and will be hoping celebrations continue across the coming weeks.

Olympics History:

Team GB’s previous appearance at the Olympics was in 2012, when they took part as host nation. Hope Powell’s side topped a group containing Brazil, Cameroon and New Zealand before succumbing 2-0 to Canada in the quarter-finals.

Qualifying:

Great Britain qualified for the Olympics automatically as a result of England’s fourth place finish at the 2019 World Cup in France. All of Europe’s qualification places were decided by performances at that tournament.

Strengths:

I have much confidence the team will perform well. There is a wealth of talented through the squad, particularly in offensive positions with many recognisable faces from the FAWSL and especially from Chelsea’s title winning season which also saw Emma Hayes’ team make the Champions League Final.

Development Areas:

Defence however has always been a concern for me and this will potentially be a major issue, particularly when coming up against the stronger nations.

**Above:** Team GB’s Fran Kirby – in the form of her life. **Photo:** Eurosport.

Key Players:

Whilst I hope the whole squad embrace the opportunity and give the nation something to be proud about, watch out for Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle, who will be making her first appearance on the big international stage after so many years of giving outstanding service to Wales. Additionally, her South-West London team-mate Fran Kirby is in the form of her life.

One to watch:

I of course will be hoping Lauren Hemp features as after emerging from North Walsham High School, she is doing Norfolk and most importantly herself and her family so very proud. She is getting better and better each season with Manchester City and has offered a real threat for England in her most recent appearances.

Prediction: Semi-Finals

Group Fixtures inc KO times (local/UK)

Great Britain v Chile, 21st July, Sapporo Dome. 8.30am BST.

Japan v Great Britain, 24th July, Sapporo Dome. 11.30am BST.

Canada v Great Britain, 27th July, Kashima Stadium. 12.00 midday BST.

Impetus Enters Into Content Partnership With Pride Park FC

Impetus are delighted to be able to announce a partnership with Pride Park FC. Based in Derbyshire, the club who play in the tier seven Derbyshire Ladies League Division One, are a true community grass roots club providing football from girls and youth up to their first team.

For more information about the club, we published a feature on them back in mid April which can be seen here: https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/2021/04/15/pride-park-providing-opportunities-inclusivity-in-derbyshire/

Speaking about the partnership launch, Pride Park secretary David Kwiatek said: “We are delighted to have agreed this partnership with Impetus, which will involve the site publishing features about Pride Park FC from the first team down to youth level to their worldwide readership.

“The site has additionally already published number of our first team match reports. We hope it will help raise the club’s profile, and that our content will prove of interest to the site’s readership.

Impetus founder Ben Gilby said: “Impetus takes great pride in its support of grassroots women’s football as these clubs, players and volunteers are the true heartbeat on the game. Pride Park are a fantastic and really friendly club and it’s going to be fantastic to work with them over the next year or so.”

The Swedish Scene

@DandalBs updates us on the goings on in Sweden with the final round of matches in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan before the Olympic break. There’s also lots of transfer news, with Eskilstuna United featuring prominently.

DAMALLSVENSKAN:

Linköping went down to a 3-0 loss at home to second placed BK Häcken with all the goals coming in the last 23 minutes. Milica Mijatovic put Häcken ahead with Dilja Yr Zomers doubling their advantage four minutes later. Evelyn Ijeh completed the scoring two minutes into stoppage time.

Eskilstuna United continued their journey towards the upper reaches of the table as they sent injury-ravaged AIK to yet another loss. Felicia Rogic (pictured above via Aftonbladet) scored the only goal in the last half hour which sent the crowd of 1,112 home very happy.

Vittsjö played out a 0-0 draw with Kristianstad.

Djurgården continued to pull away from the relegation zone after a 3-0 win over strugglers Piteå. The Stockholm based side went ahead just before the break thanks to an own goal. Nellie Lilja added a second just before the hour mark with Sara Olai completing the scoring in the final minute.

As expected, Rosengård comfortably won the top against bottom clash against Växjö with a 5-0 win. Olivia Schough got the scoreboard moving after two minutes with Anna Anvegård adding a second seven minutes later. Six minutes before half-time, Nathalie Björn made it 3-0. Caroline Seger and Stefanie Sanders completed the rout.

**Above:** Nathalie Björn (right), scorer of Rosengård’s third goal against Växjö. **Photo:** Bildbyrån

Hammarby’s marvellous return to the Damallsvenskan after promotion from the Elitettan at the end of last season continues after a 3-2 win at KIF Örebro which ensures they go into the Olympic break in third place. 2-3 Hammarby. Madelen Janogy put the visitors ahead on seven minutes before Örebro levelled just two minutes later after an own goal. In the early exchanges of the second half, the hosts went ahead thanks to a strike from Karin Lundin. Two goals in five minutes turned the match on its head and ensured that Hammarby went back to Stockholm with all three points. Elsa Karlsson and Emilia Larsson’s brilliant free kick clinched the win in front of an enthralled crowd of 763.

The Damallsvenskan now breaks for the Olympic Games and returns on 20^th August with the set of fixtures below:

Round Thirteen Fixtures:

Växjö v Vittsjö

Hammarby v Eskilstuna United

AIK v Djurgården

Piteå v Linköping

Rosengård v KIF Örebro

Kristianstads v BK Häcken

ELITETTAN

**Above:** Alexandra Hellekant – scorer of Jitex Mölndal opening goal in their superb 2-1 win over IK Uppsala. **Photo:** @JitexBK

It was a weekend of shocks in the Elitettan as the top two both suffered defeats to further tighten the promotion race. Leaders Umeå IK suffered a 3-0 loss away to fourth placed Lidköpings FK. Frida Lahteenmaki, Ida Pettersson and an own goal completed the win to the delight of 191 fans. Jitex Mölndal, in the bottom four pre-game, pulled off a sensational 2-1 win over second placed IK Uppsala. Two goals in nine first half minutes from Stinalisa Johansson and Alexandra Hellekant put Jitex ahead before an own goal just after the hour mark gave Uppsala a chance of a point, but they could not find the net again. Due to results elsewhere, Uppsala dropped to fourth as a consequence. IFK Kalmar took advantage to go second following a 1-0 win over Sundavalls DFF. Tabby Tindell’s goal with six minutes left was the difference. Morön BK went third after a 5-0 thrashing of Borgeby FK. A Hildah Tholakele Magala hat-trick plus further strikes form Arianna Veland and Lina Pettersson completed the win. Älvsjö AIK FF took advantage of the top two’s defeats to bring new life into their promotion push with a 2-0 win over Bollstanäs SK. Marie Segerholm and Alice Ahlberg were on target.

Latest Results: Alingsås FC United 0-2 IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping 2-1 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Lidköpings FK 3-0 Umeå IK, Morön BK 5-0 Borgeby FK, Jitex Mölndal 2-1 IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF 2-1 Bollstanäs SK, IFK Kalmar 1-0 Sundsvalls DFF.

The Elitettan now takes a break until the next round of matches which will be played on 7-8^th August. The games scheduled for those dates are shown below:

Next matches: IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping, Bollstanäs SK v Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Lidköpings FK, Sundsvalls DFF v Morön BK, Umeå IK v Borgeby FK.

NEWS ROUND-UP:

FAWSL side Everton have announced the signing of Swedish international Anna Anvegård on a two-year deal and fellow countrywoman Nathalie Björn on a three-year deal from Rosengård for an undisclosed fee.

**Above:** Anna Anvegård, wearing Everton’s new away kit, unveiled after signing for the FAWSL side this week. **Photo:** Everton FC

There are rumours suggesting that Emilia Larsson, who has been an important part of Hammarby‘s so far successful season, is supposed to have received offers from both BK Häcken and Rosengård. Larsson has earlier stated that she has no plans to leave Hammarby. BK Häcken coach Mats Gren added fuel to the fire by saying when asked about Larsson: “She is very interesting. She has an interesting position where she scores and assists a lot. The way we play, she would fit in very well.”

Rosengård confirms the signing of Eskilstuna United’s star Loreta Kullashi. The 22 year-old spent the last four seasons with her previous club, and has signed a three and a half year long contract.

Also departing Eskilstuna United is Fanny Andersson, who has signed a 2 year deal with Piteå. The 26 year-old midfielder played every match for her previous club since she joined 2019.

A disruptive few days concluded for Eskilstuna United with the news that their head coach Magnus Karlsson has left the club for an assignment as club director at IFK Norrköping. IFK is a classic Swedish club with a long and sometimes successful history. Eskilstuna has just begun looking for Karlsson’s replacement.

Växjö‘s Signe Holt Andersen, who announced that she would be leaving a short time ago, has been signed for Lazio, newly promoted to Serie A.

Young star Hanna Bennison has added to speculation about her departure from Rosengård by saying “Anything can happen”. Boss Therese Sjögran says a roster like Rosengård’s is bound to attract interest. More players leaving depends on “if they can be replaced, if the money is right and so on”.

**Above:** Rosengård’s Hanna Bennison (left) could be on the move soon, something her Sporting Director Therese Sjögran (right) did not deny. **Photo:** Expressen

There are rumours that European Champions Barcelona have showed some initial interest in BK Häcken and Sweden midfielder Filippa Angeldahl. Angeldahl is in her final year of her contract with BK Häcken.

Paris St. Germain have confirmed the signing of Amanda Ilestedt on a two year deal.

Playtime is Over, It’s Time For The Games To Begin

By Kieran Yap

Australia lost for the fifth straight time in a row against Japan earlier this week in their final warm up game before the Olympics (pictured above via Getty Images), but Tony Gustavsson has remained consistent in his messaging that the results do not matter.

He has maintained from the first game of his tenure against Germany that the side is undergoing a process and a common goal.

“Everything we’ve done including the game today has been towards that New Zealand game,” said the manager after losing to Japan.

“We haven’t talked about getting out of the group we’ve only talked about that New Zealand game,” echoed captain Sam Kerr when the squad was announced.

The plan appears to be not to peak during friendlies and warm up matches but during the Olympics. Gustavsson has been here before with the U.S.A, he knows what it takes to be successful in international football.

Despite the losing streak, the Matildas have remained competitive against strong opposition.

When they faced Denmark, Australia had 14 shots on goal and 10 on target, only through a series of unfortunate events did the Danes score three times with only one shot on target for the match.

In the next match they were very much on the back foot. Sweden had 12 shots on goal to Australia’s seven. Importantly, the defence looked solid and stubborn, they kept a clean sheet against a European Cup and Olympic contender.

Both of these games were big improvements over the preceding thrashings against Germany and The Netherlands. Gustavsson and the players repeatedly refer to “the process” the team is undergoing and they generally look to be headed in the right direction.

Gustavsson has continued to tinker. Australia alternated between a three player defense and a more familiar back four.

Australia has had basically two tactical systems over the last decade, 4-3-3 and when that fails, 4-3-3 but with more effort.

While this has done the job in beating up on Brazil and can historically match the U.S.A, Australia has struggled against European opposition.

**Above:** Mid game discussion for The Matildas against Japan involving, from left to right: Hayley Raso, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Clare Polkinghorne, Emily van Egmond and Ellie Carpenter. **Photo:** ESPN

The flexibility to switch to a different system depending on the opposition and the in game scenario is needed.

If Australia are a goal or two ahead with 20 minutes to play but are under siege, switching to the formation that shut out Sweden would be a way to close out the game.

The ability to switch between this and the system that releases Catley and Carpenter as attacking weapons is the sort of tactical flexibility that Gustavsson is looking to develop.

In the 2019 World Cup, an injury to Clare Polkinghorne resulted in a domino effect of players moving positions. Being able to shift between a back three and four could be an in game alternative should misfortune strike again.

In the Japan game, Australia tried a mix of different systems and players over the 90 minutes. It was a game played in the spirit of caution by both sides, nobody wanted to get injured days out from a major event and Gustavsson evidently valued further experimentation over grinding out a meaningless result.

This is not a method Australian fans are accustomed to. The Matildas have previously attacked friendly fixtures with enthusiasm. They have always been looking to score and entertain.

This has drawn, crowds, acclaim and popularity, what it has not brought is major international success.

Gustavsson’s methods may not bring about victory in Tokyo but we do know that what has been tried in the last few years has not worked either.

The opening game against New Zealand will be Australia’s first competetive match under Tony Gustavsson. It will also be the first game of consequence for the players since February 2020.

The team and the manager have been insistent that only this upcoming contest matters, everything else has only been prelude to it.

In 2021 we have seen the Matildas play to get back together, we have seen them play to score, we have seen them play to defend and play to get some final match fitness.

On Wednesday 21^st, for the first time, we will see them playing to win.