For the United States women’s national team, the biggest test left on their schedule before the 2019 World Cup begins is tonight’s friendly against Australia. The USWNT’s results and performances this year haven’t met expectations, and a failure to up the standard against the Matildas could easily result in a loss. After all, the U.S. hasn’t beaten the Australians since 2015, and needed a 90th minute goal in last year’s Tournament of Nations to avoid two straight losses against Sam Kerr and company.
This game could also legitimately be a preview of the World Cup final.