Australians playing in the elite NWSL hits double figures for first time Matildas enjoy benefit of USA experience ahead of France 2019 qualifiers Five tickets to France on offer for AFC nations next month
“The Aussie players are quite sought after now, and you wouldn’t have imagined that even five years ago.” Those were the words of Tom Sermanni, current Orlando Pride coach, and former manager of both USA and Australia.
The latest edition of the NWSL kicks-off on Saturday, where the opening-round highlights include Sermanni’s strongly-supported Pride welcoming Utah Royals for their debut in USA’s elite competition.
This season Australians will once again comprise the biggest contingent of international players, leaving aside Canadians of whom a certain number are mandated to be contracted.
Indeed, Australia - with ten current players in the NWSL - are well clear of Brazil with the next best representation of seven. Two decades ago, the likes of former Matildas’ stars Cheryl Salisbury and Julie Murray were very much considered exceptions during their respective stints Stateside, rather than the beginning of a trend.
Australia’s fortunes have been on an upward trend over the past decade, in a period where Sermanni led the side to two FIFA Women’s World Cupâ„¢ quarter-final appearances.
But the past year has seen the Matildas reach an even higher echelon, with an eight-match winning streak featuring an extraordinary list of scalps. Victories over reigning world champions USA, and former Women’s World Cup Finalists Japan, Brazil, China PR and Norway helped pushed the Aussies to a new high of fourth on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking.
We're moving up in the world