Matildas Abroad Preview: California Derby in NWSL; Aussies go head-to-head in England and Sweden
Before the international break begins, and our Matilda’s Abroad returns home to face New Zealand in a series of two matches, a final weekend of club action awaits our Aussies.
Australians go head-to-head across Europe, while a California derby is on the cards in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
Starting in England, Mackenzie Arnold and Tameka Yallops West Ham United host Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Rasos Manchester City.
This draw in the WSL is a repeat of the semi-finals of the FA Cup for women that come after the international break, where four Aussies meet.
West Ham were the winners when the two teams met earlier in the season, with Olli Harder’s team recording a historic victory over City, marking their first victory against the team from Manchester.
Since then, City have started to find the form, in a five-match winning streak in the WSL.
Meanwhile, the Hammers hope to recover from the loss to Brighton last weekend.
This match starts on Saturday night at 21:30 AEDT.
Away in Leicester, the WSL newcomers take on Arsenal who come after being knocked out of the UWCL in the middle of the week.
The Gunners were free last weekend due to covid-19 falls in their opponents’ camps, and during that time Chelsea chased them on the steps with now only 1 point separating the two.
Jonas Eidevall’s team will be kept warm in Chelsea’s tail when they take on Leicester.
Arsenal’s opponents faced a heavy 9-0 loss at the hands of Chelsea last weekend.
Lydia Williams remained on the bench in Arsenal’s UWCL loss, while Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord both were presented and will be called again this weekend before going to Australia.
This match starts on Sunday evening at 21:30 AEST.
Kyah Simons Spurs host Emily Gielniks Aston Villa, where the latter hopes to win after four games without a win.
At the same time, Spurs have had two weeks off from WSL action, not of their own free will, but have to postpone matches after a covid-10 outburst in the team.
Carla Wards Villa team tasted the latest in mid-February, with a 2-0 victory over Everton where Gielnik found the net.
Villa will try to catch a Spurs team that could be rusty due to a longer away period.
This match starts on Sunday evening at 23:00 AEST.
This last match of WSL action in England will see Sam Kerrs Chelsea host Reading FC.
Chelsea were clinical in their show last weekend and beat Leicester City 9-0, where Kerr scored two points, to secure first place on the WSL table.
Emma Hayes’ team can not afford to lose any points in their attempt to take the WSL title, with Arsenal only one point behind them.
The Blues’ opponent, Reading, got a 1-1 draw last weekend away at Aston Villa.
This match starts on Monday morning at 03:45 AEST.
Away in America, Emily van Egmondfresh from his debut for San Diego Wave FC, will once again face other newcomers from California, Angel City FC.
The two sides faced each other in their first NWSL match, but both sides are still looking for their historic first win. In the reverse move of this California derby, when Angel City hosted Wave, San Diego came from behind to win a late 1-1.
This game starts on Sunday morning at 6:00 AEST.
Away in Sweden, Clare Polkinghornes Vittsjö GIK is the host Teagan Micah and Charli Grants FC Rosengård.
Vittsjö will look for its first win of the season, after securing a late 1-1 draw last weekend, against last year’s winner.
Rosengård has continued to show its dominance over all competitions and won last weekend with 2-0.
This match starts on Sunday evening at 23:00 AEST.
In Denmark, Fortuna Hjørring takes on FC Thy-Thisted Q Clare Wheeler, Angie Beard and Indi-Paige Rileys side aiming for back-to-back wins after noting a 2-0 win over Farum last weekend.
This match starts on Saturday morning at 03:00 AEST.
Our last stop takes us to Italy, with Aivi Liège and Ella Mastrantonios Pomigliano CF hosts fourth-placed Sassuolo.
Their previous meeting in November 2021 saw Sassuolo walk away with a 4-2 win.
This match starts on Saturday evening at 21:30 AEST.