The Matildas suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss against the USA in Glendale, Arizona, continuing a tough journey in the SheBelieves Cup. Prior to the match, the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) took a playful jab at the Matildas in a promotional video that was aired, which portrayed their view of Australia’s football prowess.
The promo, which illustrated both the passion of the Matildas and their supporters, quickly shifted to a more mocking tone. It questioned Australia’s football identity with a voiceover stating, “Australia and soccer? No,” claiming the USWNT has a significant legacy with four World Cup titles and five Olympic gold medals. It challenged the Matildas by asking when they last triumphed over the US, only to show highlights of Australia’s solitary victory against them in July 2017.
Out of 35 encounters, the Matildas have managed to secure just a single win against the USA. The promo also acknowledged the USWNT’s renowned players, mentioning Alex Morgan, while teasing the Matildas’ top talents like Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso, and Caitlin Foord. It acknowledged Australia’s notable performance in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they reached the semifinals, in contrast to the US team’s earlier exit in the round of 16.
The tone of the promo shifted slightly towards the end, recognising Australia’s growing influence in women’s football, stating, “OK, maybe you do know soccer, a little bit,” before inviting them to rise to the challenge. Unfortunately for the Matildas, they could not translate this encouragement into success on the field and faced defeat for the second consecutive time at the tournament.