Matildas Need to Learn from the US
The Matildas need to pick up lessons from top teams to rebuild. A former Matilda thinks Football Australia should take notes from the USA as they move on after Tony Gustavsson left. Matildas Urged to Emulate US Success.
Right now, they don’t have a head coach since Gustavsson stepped down last year. The Matildas hit a bump in the road at the SheBelieves Cup, losing to the USWNT, who are now coached by Emma Hayes. While the team did play better than in their first game against Japan, the loss shows there are still problems to fix.
The USA as a Model
Grace Gill, a former Matildas player and now a football analyst, believes Australia should look to the USA as a guide.
After a tough exit in the Round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup, the USWNT hired Hayes, known for her work with Chelsea. Since then, the USA hasn’t lost in 17 games. They also have a strong junior program that Australia could benefit from.
What the USA has is a coach who is supported and has plans for the future. We can see those plans working, Gill said on Paramount+.
She mentioned how the USA connects their junior teams with the senior squad, creating a solid style from the ground up. Picture our under-17s training with the senior team. That would make a clear path for them, she added.
Interim Coach Sermanni Aims for Quick Fixes
Tom Sermanni is only the interim coach for the Matildas, but he wants to see quick improvements. Even though they lost to the USA, he was happy with how the team fought hard against a tough opponent.
We played much better and put in more effort after our rough start, Sermanni said. They showed character by coming back and staying in the game.
Still, he knows there’s a lot to work on. We need to get better at keeping the ball and being more physical, he said.
Chances for Young Players
Sermanni enjoyed giving younger players a chance to play against top teams. He thinks this experience will help them grow. That was a big plus for us tonight. We got to bring in young players and let them feel this level of competition, he said.
The Matildas have a long way to go, but learning from successful teams like the USA could help them bounce back. Matildas Urged to Emulate US Success.
