Brazil Face Australia Today at 1 p.m. ET in Knockout Stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
June 21, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (June 21, 2015) - NWSL players will be lined up on both sides of the ball today at 1 p.m. ET when Brazil face Australia in the knockout stages of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup at Moncton Stadium in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Brazil topped their group for the fifth-successive tournament as they held their opponents scoreless in all three matches while posting a perfect 3-0-0 record.
Boston Breakers midfielder Rafaela Travalao, also known as "Rafinha", made her international debut for the South Americans in a 2-0 victory over Korea Republic in their first game of the tournament. Rafaela only played one minute in that match, but got a longer run out in her country's third group game - a 1-0 win over Costa Rica - as she featured for the final 12 minutes to help Brazil hold on for the victory.
Brazil is seeking its fifth consecutive trip to the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Australia is out to reach the quarterfinals for the third straight World Cup and have benefited from a strong NWSL presence on their roster.
Defenders Steph Catley (Portland Thorns FC) and Caitlin Foord (Sky Blue FC) as well as forward Samantha Kerr (Sky Blue FC) have all played every minute of the tournament for the Matildas, while midfielder Katrina Gorry (FC Kansas City) has started each match at the World Cup.
Former NWSL players Lisa De Vanna, who used to play for Sky Blue FC, and Kyah Simon, formerly of the Boston Breakers, have accounted for all four goals scored by Australia in Canada.
Brazil holds a slight advantage with a 5-4-0 record against Australia in head-to-head competition - including victories at the last two World Cups. The South Americans beat the Matildas in the group stage at the 2011 tournament in Germany and eliminated them in the quarterfinals four years earlier in China.
The country that prevails Sunday will move on to face the winner of the game between Japan and the Netherlands in a quarterfinal match held Saturday, June 27 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 21, 2015
- Boston Breakers Drop First Game at Home this Season, Fall to Seattle Reign FC 3-2 - Boston Breakers
- Updated: Reign FC Defeats Boston 3-2 on the Road, Extends Unbeaten Run to Five Matches - Seattle Reign FC
- Severe Weather Ends Spirit's Clash against the Red Stars Before the Final Whistle - Washington Spirit
- Canada Meets Switzerland Today in Knockout Round of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 - NWSL
- Brazil Face Australia Today at 1 p.m. ET in Knockout Stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 - NWSL
- Red Stars' Clash with Washington Falls Victim to Weather - Chicago Stars FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
