Micah describes 'surreal moment' of Westfield Matildas call going viral

Westfield Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah described her FIFA Women’s World Cup™ call up as ‘a surreal moment’ after a video of her receiving news of the announcement went viral on social media.

The 22-year-old is the only uncapped player in Ante Milicic’s 23-player squad who are currently in Antalya, Turkey preparing to face the world’s best in France in June. 

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Micah, a student at the University of California in Los Angeles, USA, was named in the Westfield Matildas squad to back-up experienced shot-stoppers Lydia Williams and Mackenzie Arnold when Australia faced the United States in Colorado in April 2019.

She had also spent time with the national team during the 2017 Tournament of Nations, when she was a late injury-replacement for Lydia Williams, but did not realise the magnitude of her accomplishment until the rest of the world found out.

“I’m very surprised,” said Micah. “I have quite a big following over [in the US] in the college system and UCLA itself, so that was a very surreal moment for me.

I hope to inspire a lot of young girls coming through that it can happen.

“This is definitely the best moment of my career so far. It’s the pinnacle. We dream of it, from being little girls, so it’s definitely the best achievement so far.”

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Alongside University of Nevada alumni Aivi Luik, Micah is the first player selected from an American college to represent the Westfield Matildas at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ since Danielle Small, a San Diego State graduate, in 2007.

But the psychology major is no stranger to domestic Australian football, having spent time with the Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers in the Westfield W-League before making the big move stateside.

“Aivi [Luik] actually went to college when she was younger, but I’m the only college player to make the Matildas while still in college which is quite the honour actually.” said Micah.

“It’s definitely the best decision I’ve made, going across to the States. It’s improved my game so much and I’ve learned so much from being there so I’m very thankful for it.”

Ahead of her final collegiate season before being eligible to enter the professional ranks in the United States, Micah is cherishing every moment of her first FIFA Women’s World Cup™ experience.

“I’m trying to be a sponge and soak up as much information as possible and just see how [Williams and Arnold] hold themselves,” she added.

“They are both very good, professional athletes so it’s a very good learning opportunity for me.”

See Teagan's full interview in the video at the top of this page

FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches

Australia v Italy
Date: Sunday, 9 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes
Kick-off: 9.00pm AEST (1.00pm local time, same day)

Australia v Brazil
Date: Friday, 14 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 2.00am AEST (6.00pm local time, Thursday 13 June)

Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)

Click below to #GetOnside for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ in Australia