USWNT vs. Australia: Top Storylines and Predictions for 2025 SheBelieves Cup

The United States women's national team's second leg of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup takes place on Sunday against Australia.

Emma Hayes' side continued its strong defensive form from 2024 in the tournament opener with a 2-0 win over Colombia.

The USWNT now take on Australia, who lost its opening match by four goals to Japan.

USWNT vs. Australia Info

Date: Sunday, February 23

Start Time: 5 p.m. ET

TV: TBS

Live Stream: Max

Top Storylines and Preview

The USWNT started 2025 much like it played in 2024 with a multi-goal victory and a clean sheet.

The key difference between Thursday's win and the triumphs of a year ago was the influx of new players into the lineup, especially in midfield and at forward.

Ally Sentnor of the NWSL's Utah Royals scored in her first international goal in her third appearance. Catarina Macario netted the other tally.

Lily Yohannes and Yazmeen Ryan, who have eight caps between them, also received starts in the win over Colombia.

One of Hayes' goals for the SheBelieves Cup was to integrate some younger talent into the first team. So far, that goal has been accomplished with a ton of success.

The back line is where the majority of the experience lies. Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett and Emily Fox all started against Colombia.

The Americans did not allow any of Colombia's seven shots to reach the net occupied by Jane Campbell. That was a massive positive for the Americans, who are inexperienced in goal at the international level after Alyssa Naeher's retirement.

The USWNT really didn't stray far from the foundation it built in Hayes' first year in charge, and that should be the case again for Sunday's clash with Australia in Glendale, Arizona.

Australia is coming off a 4-0 thumping against Japan. The Aussies entered the tournament with the third-best FIFA world ranking of the four participants. Colombia and Japan will meet on Sunday as part of the round-robin format.

Despite the big loss, Australia can still be a threat to the American defense with Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso and Emily van Egmond, among others, on the tournament roster.

After all, this is a similar Australia team that pushed the USWNT in a 2-1 loss at the group stage of the Paris Olympics.

The USWNT will be challenged at points, but it is expected to win because of how strong the defense has looked for close to a year now.

Prediction

USWNT 2, Australia 0