USA broadcaster mocks Matildas as Australia’s nightmare campaign continues with second straight loss: ‘Australia and soccer, no’

The Matildas recorded a second straight loss in the SheBelieves Cup by losing to the US – and a promo played before the match shows just how the Americans view Australia as a footballing nation.

The USA had to fight their way to victory over Australia, seeing off a much-improved Matildas outfit in a 2-1 win.

Just three days after they were embarrassed in a 4-0 tournament-opening loss to Japan, which interim coach Tom Sermanni described as ‘un-Australian’, the Matildas restored some pride with their performance at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Monday (AEDT).

However, a promo that featured on Paramount Plus before kickoff didn’t give the Aussie side much respect.

‘Australia and soccer, no,’ said the voiceover.

‘You guys don’t know soccer. The US national team? Yeah, we’re a bit of a big deal.

An American TV promo before the match doubted the Matildas’ ability on the pitch

‘Four World Cups. Five Olympic gold medals. And against the Matildas, when did you guys last beat us? It’s been a minute. I mean, the US has history. Heard of Alex Morgan?

‘Who are the Australian soccer equivalents? Oh, there’s Mary at Manchester City.’

 The promo then played clips of several Aussie stars in action.

‘Wow, that’s some firepower. You made the semifinals of the World Cup, really? I don’t remember how the USA went in that tourney.

‘OK, maybe you do you know soccer a little bit. Let’s see what you’ve got. Bring it on.’

The Americans scored through Lynn Biyendolo just 41 seconds into the match, and Australia looked to be in for another long day at the office.

But with a team sporting four changes from the Japan loss, Sermanni’s troops did well to rally and go toe-to-toe with the Americans for the next hour.

The only time the Matildas let their guard down, world No.1 USA struck through Michelle Cooper in the 68th minute.

The Americans scored through Lynn Biyendolo just 41 seconds into the match

The US struck again in the 68th minute through Michelle Cooper

Veteran striker Michelle Heyman headed in a Hayley Raso cross in the 80th minute to set up a nervy finish, but the USA were able to keep cool heads and hold on for victory.

While Sermanni juggled his squad, USA coach Emma Hayes made 11 changes from the side that opened the friendly tournament with a 2-0 win over Colombia.

It showed America’s enormous depth compared with Australia, and even if this was a second-string outfit, it didn’t show when Jaedyn Shaw powered down the left side of the box in the first minute.

Shaw found ex-Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory forward Biyendolo, who tucked past Australian goalkeeper Teagan Micah.

Australia were looking shaky and their defence breathed a sigh of relief when Biyendolo had a second chalked off for offside just five minutes later.

From that point the Matildas began to mix it with the USA, and while shots on target were few and far between, they were at least stretching and testing the home side’s defence as halftime approached.

Holly McNamara, enjoying her first start for the Matildas in more than three years, nearly got a breakthrough soon after halftime.

The Melbourne City striker forced American goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn into an error at the back, which led to an Australian corner.

The Matildas will next be in action against Colombia on Thursday

McGlynn tipped Steph Catley’s delivery away and the USA hung on, before reclaiming control of the match and punishing a momentary lapse of concentration in the Australian backline.

Catley and Charli Grant couldn’t contain Allyson Sentnor, who teed up Cooper for America’s second goal.

Heyman gave Australia some hope when she turned in Raso’s cross as fulltime neared, but the Matildas were unable to land a second blow.

Sentnor had the chance to kill off the game, but some brilliant glovework from Micah denied the American late on.