Houston Dash defender Clare Polkinghorne was named to the Australian Women’s National Team roster by head coach Ante Milicic for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Football Association announced Monday.
Polkinghorne is set to represent the Matildas in the World Cup for the third time. Australia, currently ranked sixth in the world by FIFA, will see their first action in the tournament on June 9 against Group C contender Italy at Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, France. Four days later, the Matildas will face Brazil at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble. They will close group play against Jamaica on June 18 in Stade des Alpes.
Polkinghorne has been part of Australia’s national team since 2006, playing more than 100 games and scoring nine goals. With the Matildas, the defender won the Tournament of Nations in 2017 defeating the top-ranked United States Women’s National Team. She was also part of the squad that won the Cup of Nations in 2019.
As the former captain of Brisbane Roar FC, Polkinghorne became the first player to reach 100 games in the W-League in 2017. Polkinghorne was also named the 2018-2019 W-League Player of the Year by Brisbane Roar FC.
Polkinghorne’s Australian and Dash teammate Kyah Simon will travel with the team on standby. Both players will depart to join the national team following Sunday’s Dash home game against the Chicago Red Stars.
