Westfield W-League stars headline Milicic’s Australian squad for USA friendly

Sydney FC Championship-winning defender Elizabeth Ralston is one of two uncapped players named in Ante Milicic’s squad for next month’s international friendly against the USA.

Milicic unveiled a 23-player squad on Friday, featuring 21 players who were part of the most recent Westfield W-League campaign.

And Ralston was rewarded for her impressive displays in defence for the Sky Blues on their way to winning the Grand Final over Perth Glory last month.

READ: Breaking down Sam Kerr’s phenomenal Westfield W-League scoring record
WESTFIELD MATILDAS JERSEY: Players on amazing new kit

Ralston is one of five Sydney FC players in the squad alongside the returning Chloe Logarzo, Lisa De Vanna, Caitlin Foord and defensive partner Alanna Kennedy.

Perth Glory skipper Sam Kerr will again lead the Westfield Matildas, with several Westfield W-League clubs represented in the squad.

The Westfield Matildas take on the USA at Commerce City in Colorado on Friday, April 5 (AEDT).

As indicated by Milicic throughout the inaugural Cup of Nations, the Westfield Matildas coach and his staff will use Australia’s camp and friendly in Colorado to give more players an opportunity to impress in the lead up to this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

As such, five players that weren’t part of Milicic’s first squad as Matildas boss have been called up for the game against the USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

PLAYER GUIDE: A complete wrap of Westfield W-League players in the NWSL. 
NWSL EXPLAINER: Everything you need to know about the upcoming 2019 season

Experienced Matildas Katrina Gorry and Chloe Logarzo will be joined by youngster Mary Fowler as well as uncapped duo Ralston and Teagan Micah.

“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.

“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.

Australia and the USA – who will both feature at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France – have played 28 international matches since their first meeting in 1987, and last met at last year’s Tournament of Nations at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Connecticut.

In the last match between the nations, a clinical first-half strike from Chloe Logarzo was cancelled out by Lindsey Horan’s late second-half header as the game ended all square.
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’s fixture against the United States from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on FOX SPORTS 503.

Westfield Matildas Squad | April 2019 | Colorado, United States of America

Upcoming Matches | Westfield Matildas

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