Australian head coach Ante Milicic has announced the 23 player squad to take on world champions USA next month in Denver, Colorado.

The squad includes 18 members of the Matildas victorious Cup of Nations roster with three familiar names returning.

Midfielders Katrina Gorry and Chloe Logarzo make their return to the squad after injury ruled them both out of the Cup of Nations, while Sydney FC championship winning defender Elizabeth Ralston earns her first national team call up.  .

The US tour provides Milicic with an opportunity to observe the duo that brings more than 100 games of experience to the squad.

Logarzo was instrumental the last time Australia played the United States, finishing off a stunning counter-attack in the 22nd minute.

READ: Matildas headed to Turkey for World Cup final preparations 

Also added to the squad is American based goalkeeper and former Young Matilda Teagan Micah and teen striker Mary Fowler.

Fowler made her debut for the Matildas in the 2018 Tournament of Nations and was a part of the European Tour against France and England.

However, a rift appeared to have developed post European Tour with Fowler left out of the Chile International Series.

Milicic’s call up is an opportunity for the striker to make a late run for the World Cup squad after impressing as a substitute in the USA and Europe.

“It has been my intention from the outset to give as many players as possible a chance to impress ahead of our final squad selection for France,” Milicic said.

“Katrina, Chloe, Mary, Elizabeth, and Teagan will join us in the United States, and while some players have missed out on this window that doesn’t mean that their hopes of being with us at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup are over.”

This will be the 30th meeting between the two nations with recent encounters in 2017 and 2018 resulting in a win and draw for Australia.

“We will be looking for players to step up in the United States both in training and our match against the world’s number one ranked side, and as a unit we will be aiming to build upon the foundations and standards we set during the recent Cup of Nations,” he said.

Milicic will name Australia’s squad for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in mid-May before the team commences its final preparations for France in Antalya, Turkey, from May 19.

Australia will face the USA on 5 April 2019 at  Dick’s Sporting Good’s Park.  Kick off is at 12.30pm (AET) live on Fox Sports.

MATILDAS SQUAD FOR USA TOUR

Name Club, Country A-International Caps (Goals)
Teigen ALLEN Melbourne Victory FC, Australia 40 (0)
Laura ALLEWAY Melbourne Victory FC, Australia 60 (2)
Mackenzie ARNOLD (Gk) Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 23 (0)
Tameka BUTT Klepp IL, Norway 77 (10)
Ellie CARPENTER Portland Thorns, USA 30 (1)
Steph CATLEY Seattle Reign, USA 71 (2)
Lisa DE VANNA Sydney FC, Australia 146 (46)
Caitlin FOORD Portland Thorns, USA 70 (15)
Mary FOWLER Bankstown City Lions FC, Australia 3 (0)
Emily GIELNIK Melbourne Victory FC, Australia 27 (7)
Katrina GORRY Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 72 (14)
Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT Seattle Reign, USA 105 (1)
Alanna KENNEDY Orlando Pride, USA 76 (7)
Samantha KERR Chicago Red Stars, USA 75 (30)
Chloe LOGARZO Washington Spirit, USA 37 (6)
Aivi LUIK Levante UD, Spain 21 (0)
Teagan MICAH (Gk) UCLA, USA 0 (0)
Clare POLKINGHORNE Houston Dash, USA 115 (9)
Elizabeth RALSTON Sydney FC, Australia 0 (0)
Hayley RASO Portland Thorns, USA 33 (3)
Gema SIMON Newcastle Jets FC, Australia 10 (0)
Emily VAN EGMOND Orlando Pride, USA 84 (18)
Lydia WILLIAMS (Gk) Seattle Reign, USA 76 (0)

 

MATCH DETAILS

United States of America v Australia
Date: Thursday, 4 April 2019
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Good’s Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 12.30pm – Friday, 5 April 2019 (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS 503

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