Any member of the U.S. women’s soccer team who has won a gold medal, or World Cup trophy, and cemented their name in the history books deserves to be listened to. But many soccer fans, especially Matildas fans and Chelsea watchers, are going to be upset at what this USWNT legend has had to say about Sam Kerr and the Australian national team.
The Aussies might be without their ‘star’ player, Sam Kerr, during the upcoming Olympics that start just this week. But, are they doomed or will they be able to go far without her? They tried to succeed in their home World Cup but found it tough to get past the knockout rounds. However, they impressed the world and played better football when Kerr wasn’t in the game.
So, who’s to say they can’t do well in the Paris Olympics?
Sam Kerr Not Available for Matildas
The Matildas have no shot of making it to the gold medal match, according to one U.S. soccer legend. Julie Foudy, one of the ‘99ers and best footballers of all time, is currently a pundit and podcaster, someone who has made a living commentating about women’s sports and championing women’s soccer. And with her expertise, she seems to think the Matildas can’t do well without Sam Kerr.
Sam Kerr suffered an ACL injury early this year after the World Cup in 2023, ruling her out for much of the year so far. She was confirmed that she would not be fit and ready to play for her country in the Olympics this month, meaning that the Aussies would have to do without the FA WSL top goalscorer and the #9 for the Matildas team.
Foudy, one of the best midfielders in the women’s game, believes that they might have a chance of getting out of the group stage — but that they are a team riddled with injuries that will struggle in the longevity of the tournament.
I think they can get out of their group but I think it might be a bridge too far this time without Sam Kerr, with Caitlin Foord coming off an injury, with Katrina Gorry in the midfield coming off an injury. I worry they don’t have the health to sustain them. We know you’re going to need all 16 players (this tournament), it’s a grind.
Australian Team in the Olympics
Without Sam Kerr, the Australian team will have to make do and make it out of their Group all on their own. They are in Group B, which features Germany, Zambia, and the United States — arguably the toughest group of the Olympics. Germany is always among the top in the Euros and World Cup, whereas Zambia made a huge impact in the Women’s World Cup last year with their intense style of play and athleticism.
The United States is going through some ‘rebuilding’ this year, with Emma Hayes accepting the job as a new manager and bringing in some much-needed energy into the tired squad that performed poorly at the WC last year. Even with their poor track record in the last competition, the USWNT is always ranked as one of the top three teams in the world.
Therefore, Australia will have to find ways to score against these powerhouses without the proficiency of Sam Kerr. They can rely on players like Heyman, who has found her form this past A-League season, and Gorry, the midfield maestro, to use their creativity and score goals against harrowing back lines of defense.
Is Julie Foudy right, or will the Matildas find a way to win without Sam Kerr?
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