A rejuvenated Mary Fowler will make her return for the Matildas at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States later this month as part of an almost full-strength squad named by interim coach Tom Sermanni.
Fowler, 21, skipped the Matildas’ final fixtures of last year, citing physical and mental fatigue and a desire to spend time with family in Australia – and if her recent form for Manchester City is any guide, the short break has done her wonders.
Mary Fowler is back for the Matildas.Credit: Getty Images for Football Australia
She now has five goals and three assists from her past five games in the Women’s Super League after netting a brace in a 4-3 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday (AEDT), and will aim to bring that form into camp for the upcoming clashes with Japan, the USA and Colombia.
Fowler is joined in Sermanni’s 23-player squad by all the usual faces, including Arsenal trio Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross, new Birmingham City recruit Emily van Egmond, France-based defender Ellie Carpenter and three US-based players in Mackenzie Arnold, Alanna Kennedy and Kaitlyn Torpey.
The only marquee name missing is Sam Kerr, who is still yet to make her return for Chelsea as she nears the end of her recovery from an ACL injury, and who is facing trial this week over charges of alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
Laini Freier, the twin sister of emerging star Sharn, is in line to make her debut after being handed a maiden call-up on the back of her strong performances in the A-League Women for Brisbane Roar – but Sharn, who will transfer to German club VfL Wolfsburg at the end of the season, will not join her in the squad due to injury.
As flagged by this masthead, Sermanni will take charge of the Matildas for the SheBelieves Cup in the continued absence of a permanent head coach, with Football Australia’s search for a successor to Tony Gustavsson now stretching into a seventh month.
MATILDAS SQUAD FOR SHEBELIEVES CUP
GOALKEEPERS: Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns), Chloe Lincoln (Western United), Teagan Micah (Liverpool)
DEFENDERS: Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Tottenham Hotspur), Winonah Heatley (FC Nordsjælland), Clare Hunt (Tottenham Hotspur), Alanna Kennedy (Angel City), Natasha Prior (Newcastle Jets), Kaitlyn Torpey (San Diego Wave)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal), Daniela Galic (FC Twente), Katrina Gorry (West Ham United), Emily van Egmond (Birmingham City), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar)
FORWARDS: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Laini Freier (Brisbane Roar), Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), Hayley Raso (Tottenham Hotspur)
It remains unclear when an appointment will be made – but after FA director Heather Garriock, who is leading the hunt, publicly flagged the federation’s desire to speak with England coach Sarina Wiegman after the Women’s Euro finishes in July, it may be some months yet.
The long process leaves the Matildas in a holding pattern barely a year out from the Women’s Asian Cup, to be played in Australia in March 2026, which looms as the last chance for silverware for many of the national team’s established stars.
Sermanni, however, has helped regenerate the squad by integrating the likes of teenage sensation Daniela Galic and the locally based Natasha Prior and Chloe Lincoln, who he debuted last year. There is also a welcome return for Melbourne City’s attacking ace Holly McNamara, who is fit and firing after recovering from her third ACL injury, and has not featured for the Matildas since the 2022 Asian Cup.
“We’ve selected a squad with the clear objective of winning this tournament,” Sermanni said.
“While some challenges came with players returning from European winter breaks and the restart of the USA and Scandinavian leagues, these realities also created opportunities. It’s important to carry on exposing emerging players to high-level, tournament-style football early.
“Our technical staff have been watching Ninja A-League matches all summer, ensuring we get a full picture of player form and fitness. Selection is always competitive, and we’ve built a squad that reflects that. It’s crucial to have depth and balance in the group as we prepare for the challenges ahead.
“With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon, internal competition within the squad is key. Every player knows they need to push for their place, and this tournament gives us another chance to see how they respond in a high-pressure environment.”
