Matildas v USA in the SheBelieves Cup: 'Much improved' Aussies fall short against football powerhouse

Thanks for tuning into Wide World of Sports' live coverage of Australia's second SheBelieves Cup match, where they were defeated by the USA.

The Matildas will be in action next on Thursday morning when they take on Colombia.

An improved Matildas outfit has succumbed to a new-look USA team in a 2-1 defeat in their second match at the SheBelieves Cup.

A second-half goal from Michelle Heyman could not inspire the Matildas to a fightback from two goals down after a disastrous start put the Matildas on the back foot right from the opening minute.

The USA opened the scoring through Lynn Biyendolo before much of the crowd had settled in at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, leaving the Matildas shell-shocked just 42 seconds after the match kicked off.

CONTINUE READING HERE.

Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni reacts to the loss.

"Obviously a much better performance, much better effort from the players," Sermanni says.

"And moreso after the terrible start that we had... so I think they showed a lot of character getting back into the game, and sticking and staying in the game.

"From that perspective it was a successful night... I think football wise we've got a lot of stuff to do.

"We need to work on a lot of things. How we keep the ball, and we need to get back to being a bit more physical."

Former Socceroos player Andy Harper was scathing of the Matildas after their 4-0 loss to Japan.

He is much more upbeat after a 2-1 loss to the USA today.

"It was a good game of football, it was a good contest," Harper says.

"I think it's a measure of how poor they were on Friday that we're so relieved with the result today... we want our team to win and we expect them to win.

"The general sentiment is going to be one of enthusiasm for the improvement that was made, the response from the team was clear and evident.

"When they went down after 45 seconds the world could have caved in.

"Plenty of stuff to chew on, plenty of good moments, plenty of good performances."

And the full time whistle sounds after the Matildas press a few times for a late goal.

"A much improved performance," says commentator Robbie Thomson as the Aussies lose 2-1 to USA.

The USA were 1-0 up after 40 seconds - so it is 1-1 since then and that is not a bad result following a 4-0 thumping on Friday.

Aussies next face Colombia on Thursday.

What a stop from Teagan Micah!

She gets a hand to the ball to deflect a shot from Ally Sentnor wide.

"For all money, the US was in for their third goal of the fixture, there," Grace Gill says in commentary for Paramount+.

Quickly, Micah is again forced into a point-blank save.

With just over 10 minutes left, Michelle Heyman finds the back of the net. The comeback is on!

Hayley Raso centres the ball with perfect timing as Heyman streams in.

Heyman ducks her head and sends the ball into the net.

The Matildas trail 2-1.

Tom Sermanni sees this as an opportunity to bring on another debutant, injecting Laini Freier into the match.

The USA makes more changes. Emma Hayes is really shaking up this line-up!

Charli Grant lunges for a challenge on Jaedyn Shaw and receives a yellow card.

It's a dangerous place for a free kick — just outside of the penalty box. But the set piece doesn't come to fruition.

Emily van Egmond and Kaitlyn Torpey come on for Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord.

Minutes after coming on, Michelle Cooper scores to double the USA's lead.

A stellar pass from Claire Hutton split the Matildas' defence wide open before Cooper poked the ball in quickly for her first international goal.

The USA makes another substitution.