Why the Westfield Matildas' giant-killing ace can stun the USA again

Tameka Butt is a veteran of two FIFA Women's World Cups  and three AFC Asian Cups.

But her most telling contribution in green and gold may prove to be the lone goal she scored in the Westfield Matildas' 1-0 triumph over the United States 12 months ago.

It was, in fairness, a history-making strike.

The Brisbane Roar midfielder snapped a long-standing curse when she swept home from close range to give Australia a 1-0 win over the United States in Seattle last July.

READ: 'That's when we won people over, with our bravery and courage'

It was an effort indicative of her talents: a refined poacher around goal, not afraid to gamble on a loose ball or break forward despite her primary brief being that of a link in the chain between defence and attack.

The goal heaped fuel on the fire of a revolution that had been simmering away under Alen Stajcic, and it came from a player perfectly representative of the new-look, no-fear Westfield Matildas.

WATCH THE WESTFIELD MATILDAS TAKE ON THE UNITED STATES AGAIN AT 9.00AM AEST MONDAY 30 JULY, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 505

Adept as a box-to-box midfielder, she is equally comfortable in any of three positions behind the striker and - crucially - is a forward-thinking, positive player, continually hunting opportunities to drift undetected into the penalty area.

That instinctive quality was on show again when the 27-year-old nodded in the second of Australia's three goals in the 3-1 win over Brazil on Friday.

Butt also contributed a sublime assist for Sam Kerr's second half goal, handing Australia their fourth straight win over the South American powerhouse.

And it was a result that came none too soon.

An up-and-down AFC Asian Cup campaign earlier in April left Stajcic's side needing the kind of boost they gained against the USA last year and, hopefully, they will benefit from once more on Monday morning (9:00am AEST).

The trip to Jordan in April did deal a healthy reality check to the constant evolution required to be a leading contender for silverware at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.

Butt, a national debutant in 2007 and Westfield W-League foundation squad member, has consistently proven her ability to reinvent and compete with the very best.

And it's all born from an innate drive to attack, create and cause trouble.

That, too, is when the Westfield Matildas are a truly scary proposition for the traditional powers, and it will be fascinating to observe their approach against a USA side itching to reassert their dominance.

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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