Matildas Abroad Preview: Aussies go head-to-head in FA Cup Semi-Final

Mary Fowler's Manchester City have been crowned WSL champions after Arsenal failed to defeat Brighton midweek.

Elsewhere, Hayley Raso came off the bench to score for Eintracht Frankfurt, while Mackenzie Arnold's Portland Thorns and Amy Sayer and Courtney Nevin's Malmö FF are early season leaders in their respective leagues.

Read about the Matildas Abroad in action below.

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England

WSL

Brighton & Hove Albion continued their fantastic form to end the season, holding Arsenal to a 1-1 draw and in the process helping Manchester City win the WSL. Fuka Tsunoda’s first-half goal was unable to be overcome and therefore Arsenal can no longer catch Manchester City at the top of the table. Charlie Rule started for Brighton while Caitlin Foord did the same for Arsenal. Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross remain unavailable.

The Gunners will play two more catch-up games this week. The first is on Saturday, 9pm AEST against Aston Villa and the second is on Thursday, 4am AEST against Clare Wheeler’s Everton.

You can catch the WSL on Stan Sport.

FA Cup

The FA Cup semi-finals take place this weekend.

Brighton & Hove Albion have the chance to appear in a major final when they take on Liverpool on Sunday, 9.15pm AEST. They have been on a run of giant-killing of late and will come into the game against the Reds as favourites. Charlie Rule will be available for the Seagulls.

The other semi-final is a battle of heavyweights, with Chelsea taking on Manchester City. Having already won the WSL title, City will be aiming for the double this year. Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter will be available for Chelsea, while Mary Fowler will be available for City.

Sweden

FC Rosengård travel to take on Piteå on Sunday, 9pm AEST. Rosengård currently sit at the bottom of the table after four games and are still chasing their first win. Remy Siemsen will be available for the visitors.

Top-of-the-table Malmö FF host BK Häcken on Tuesday, 2am AEST. Amy Sayer and Courtney Nevin have both been a big part of their early-season form and are expected to play a big role in the game.

United States

NWSL

The Portland Thorns look to retain top spot on the NWSL table when they take on Racing Louisville on Saturday, 8.30am AEST. Mackenzie Arnold has been in fantastic form since her return after the Asian Cup and is coming into this game off the back of two consecutive clean sheets.

You can catch the NWSL on Stan Sport.

USL

DC Power were defeated 1-0 by Sporting Jax midweek, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Their final game is against Spokane Zephyr and they will have to both win that one – on Sunday, 12.30pm – and hope other results go their way. Morgan Aquino was an unused substitute in the loss.

Germany

Hayley Raso came off the bench to score for Eintracht Frankfurt midweek in their 4-1 win over FC Nürnberg. The result means that Frankfurt have all but secured its place in Europe next year.

They play champions Bayern Munich this weekend on Saturday, 11.45pm AEST in the penultimate game of the season.

TSG Hoffenheim fought hard against Bayern, but could only come away with a 1-1 draw, scuppering their hopes of being the team to overcome Frankfurt in that third spot. Jamilla Rankin started and played the full game for Hoffenheim.

Their match this week on Monday, 12am AEST against Union Berlin is a must-win.

France

Lyon defeated Montpellier 3-1 in the final round of the league season. They finished undefeated, with 19 wins and 3 draws, but now have the play-offs to contend with. Teagan Micah remains unavailable due to symptoms of a concussion.

Italy

Como take on Napoli to begin the round on Saturday, 8.30pm AEST. While there is nothing to play for in terms of qualification or relegation for Como, they’ll be hoping to finish their season on a high. Alex Chidiac will be available for Como.

CommBank Matildas will face off when Sassuolo host newly crowned champions AS Roma on Sunday, 11pm AEST. Jessika Nash’s Sassuolo have avoided relegation while it will be party time for league champions Roma and Winonah Heatley.

You can watch the Serie A Femminile on DAZN.