Brisbane Roar sensation Laini Freier is in line to make her international debut while Melbourne City star Holly McNamara could feature for the first time in three years after the CommBank Matildas announced their squad for the SheBelieves Cup.
Freier and McNamara are among six Ninja A-League stars called up to the 23-player squad for this month’s prestigious four-nation tournament, where Australia are making their debut in the United States.
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Canberra United legend Michelle Heyman, Brisbane Roar captain Tameka Yallop, Newcastle Jets defender Tash Prior and Western United goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln have also been called up by Tom Sermanni as the Matildas prepare to face Japan (February 21), hosts USA (February 24) and Colombia (February 27).
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For Laini Freier – the twin sister of Roar teammate Sharn who is not involved due to an ankle injury – it represents her maiden Matildas selection following an incredible start to life in the A-Leagues, having scored seven goals in her first 10 games as a professional.
City forward McNamara, who was called up in November 2023 before hurting her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), has not been involved in a Matildas squad in nearly two years, with her three caps earned at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup but she is back in the squad thanks to three goals in 2024-25.
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“The SheBelieves Cup allows us to challenge ourselves against some of the best teams globally, and it’s an essential step as we work toward establishing a strong foundation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026,” said interim Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni.
“To play three quality nations, all with differing styles, in a tournament style format will allow us to continue assessing the squad and identify the areas that we will need to continue to invest in improving over the next 12 months.
“We’ve selected a squad with the clear objective of winning this tournament. While some challenges came with players returning from European winter breaks and the restart of the USA and Scandinavian leagues, these realities also created opportunities. It’s important to carry on exposing emerging players to high-level, tournament-style football early.
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“Our Technical Staff have been watching Ninja A-League matches all summer, ensuring we get a full picture of player form and fitness. Selection is always competitive, and we’ve built a squad that reflects that. It’s crucial to have depth and balance in the group as we prepare for the challenges ahead.
“We know how important it is to keep this team on a stable footing, and that means performing at our best every time we step onto the pitch. We want to play the Australian way—aggressive, front-foot football, always looking for ways to win. This tournament is another opportunity to reinforce that style and build momentum.
“With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon, internal competition within the squad is key. Every player knows they need to push for their place, and this tournament gives us another chance to see how they respond in a high-pressure environment.
“SheBelieves will provide valuable insights as we fine-tune our preparations moving forward.”
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Match schedule
Japan v CommBank Matildas
Date: Thursday, 20 February 2025 (local) / Friday, 21 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 4.05pm CT (local) / 9.05am (AEDT)
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston (TX)
Broadcast: Paramount+
United States v CommBank Matildas
Date: Sunday, 23 February 2025 (local) / Monday, 24 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 3.05pm MST (local) / 9.05am (AEDT)
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale (AZ)
Broadcast: Paramount+
CommBank Matildas v Colombia
Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 (local) / Thursday, 27 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 4.30pm PST (local) / 11.30am (AEDT)
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego (CA)
Broadcast: Paramount+
Matildas squad
NAME  | POSITION | CLUB  | ‘A’ CAPS (GOALS) | JUNIOR CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | Portland Thorns | 57 (0) | Burleigh Heads SC / Football QLD |
Ellie CARPENTER (VC) | Defender | Olympique Lyon | 84 (4) | Cowra and District JSC / Football NSW |
Steph CATLEY (C) | Defender | Arsenal WFC | 132 (7) | East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football VIC |
Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Arsenal WFC | 52 (1) | Bli Bli United FC / Football QLD |
Caitlin FOORD | Forward | Arsenal WFC | 130 (38) | Warilla Wanderers FC / Football NSW |
Mary FOWLER | Forward | Manchester City WFC | 58 (15)  | Leichhardt FC / Football QLD |
Laini FREIER | Forward | Brisbane Roar | 0 (0) | Moreton Bay United FC / Football QLD |
Daniela GALIC | Midfielder | FC Twente | 4 (0) | Lidcombe Waratah FC / Football NSW |
Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | West Ham United | 112 (17) | Mount Gravatt Hawks FC / Football QLD |
Charlotte GRANT | Defender | Tottenham Hotspur WFC | 28 (1)  | Cumberland United Women’s FC / Football SA |
Winonah HEATLEY | Defender | FC Nordsjælland | 4 (0) | Douglas United FC / Football QLD |
Michelle HEYMAN | Forward | Canberra United | 74 (28) | Illawarra Stingrays FC / Football NSW |
Clare HUNT | Defender | Tottenham Hotspur WFC | 28 (1) | Grenfell Junior SC / Football NSW |
Alanna KENNEDY | Defender | Angel City FC | 131 (11) | Campbelltown Cobras SC / Football NSW |
Chloe LINCOLN | Goalkeeper | Western United | 1 (0) | Northern Inland Football / NNSW Football |
Holly McNAMARA | Forward | Melbourne City | 3 (0) | Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club / Football NSW |
Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | Liverpool WFC | 18 (0) | Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football QLD |
Natasha PRIOR | Defender | Newcastle Jets | 3 (2) | Manly United FC / Football NSW |
Hayley RASO | Forward | Tottenham Hotspur WFC | 92 (20) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
Kaitlyn TORPEY | Forward | San Diego Wave | 10 (1) | Olympic FC / Football QLD |
Emily VAN EGMOND (VC) | Midfielder | Birmingham City WFC | 153 (31) | Dudley Redhead United FC / NNSW Football |
Clare WHEELER | Midfielder | Everton WFC | 26 (2) | Adamstown Rosebud / NNSW Football |
Tameka YALLOP | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar | 130 (14) | Mudgeeraba SC / Football QLD |