Matildas push US in soccer international

17 Sep 2012, 3:17 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The Matildas are looking to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the Olympics. (Getty Images)

The Matildas are looking to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the Olympics. (Getty Images)

Featuring eight teenagers in the line-up, Australia's women went down fighting 2-1 to the USA in their friendly soccer match in California.

The future is looking brighter for Australia's women's soccer team after a rookie Matildas side pushed Olympic gold medallists the USA to the brink in a match in California.

Australia started five teenagers in front of nearly 20,000 spectators in Carson and led 1-0 at halftime before ultimately falling 2-1 to a US team featuring nine of the 11 players who triumphed in London.

In total, coach Tom Sermanni fielded eight teenagers against the best side in the world and was delighted with the performance of his younger players - praising the character and courage of the team.

The Matildas are looking to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the Olympics and face the US again in Colorado on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).

Leading the way for the new breed of talent is 19-year-old Emily van Egmond, the daughter of Newcastle A-League coach Gary, and 18-year-old Stephanie Catley.

Caitlin Foord, 17, won the young player of the tournament award at the 2011 women's world cup and is continuing her development.

The other teens to feature were goalkeeper Brianna Davey, Teigen Allen, Alanna Kennedy, Samantha Kerr and Ashley Brown.

Sermanni says he's excited about the Matildas' potential.

"Huge amount of confidence because when you're going through the phases that we are going through as an inexperienced team, you're never quite sure what the performance is going to be like," Sermanni said.

"Today was a game where things could have fallen apart given the circumstances, but for our team to play the way they did makes us very optimistic for the future.

"Particularly the first 45 minutes is as good a 45 minutes as I've seen our team play since the World Cup last year. When you consider we had five teenagers on at the start and eight at the finish, overall it was an outstanding performance."

Australia went ahead in the 34th minute when Lisa DeVanna beat US keeper Hope Solo after outsprinting two defenders on a run from midfield.

But American Alex Morgan scored a goal and set up another as the hosts came from behind to win their second game post-Olympics.

Morgan scored the equaliser in the 55th minute and won a penalty kick that fellow Southern Californian Shannon Boxx converted eight minutes later as the London gold medallists shook off a rough first 45 minutes.

Australia have never beaten the US heading into their re-match in Commerce City, Colorado, but Sermanni says investing in the future is more important than an immediate result.

"If we put another performance in like we did today I'll be satisfied. If we win, that will be a bonus."

Australia opened the tour with a 4-0 win over Haiti at Indianapolis last week.

The tour is Sarah Walsh's last after a stellar career featuring 31 goals in 67 internationals.

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