CommBank Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah knows what it is like to deal with setbacks.
In December 2022, she suffered a major concussion that saw her in a race against time to join the CommBank Matildas squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
Since then, there have been countless niggles, injury setbacks, and issues that Micah has had to deal with that have impeded her ability to play the game that she loves.
Now, at the beginning of 2025, she is finally having the run of games at Liverpool that she has been craving, feeling physically fitter and mentally stronger than ever.
“I feel better – fitter, stronger, mentally, everything,” she said emphatically.
“I’m in a really good space. To be honest, I feel miles ahead of where I was before the concussion.
“To go through that experience was probably the hardest thing of my life so far. It taught me a lot about myself, resilience, and to be thankful for my body because it’s crazy what it’s capable of.”
She has made six consecutive appearances for Liverpool in the Women's Super League (WSL) since returning to full fitness at the end of last year. She admitted that she gets emotional whenever she gets to don the famous red kit.
“I feel so lucky to play for a club like Liverpool,” she said. “It’s a privilege, and I love the girls I play with there. To be able to put that badge on is a great feeling.
“The games are all so competitive. Not only that, your training environment is also competitive, so you’re battling for spots each week. That helps you to become a better player – you need competition.
“I feel like it gives me a lot more confidence going from club to international. It doesn’t feel like such a jump. Week in, week out, you’re facing international stars in your own league.”
Goalkeeper is a unique position in football. The nature of their role means that they often train separately from the main group, forming a bond known universally as the ‘goalkeeping union,’ while at the same time competing for the one spot available in the team.
Over the last few years, it has been Micah and Mackenzie Arnold competing to be the starting goalkeeper for the CommBank Matildas. That friendly competition is something that Micah relishes.
“You don’t get better without competition, and there has always been competition for the spot,” she said.
“It’s good. We bring the best out of each other, and that turns into performance. That’s all I can really ask for. I’ll put my head down and keep working.”
Micah spent four years in the United States during college, where she competed for UCLA between 2016 and 2019. It means that playing in the United States feels a little bit like returning home for Micah, who set a PAC-12 record for most career honours during a prestigious college stint.
It is also a special place in her national team career. Her first involvement with the CommBank Matildas was seven years ago, during the Tournament of Nations in 2018, when Australia won their first-ever match against USA.
Micah reflected that it had been quite a journey since then.
“I really feel part of the team now, which I love,” she said.
“I’ve got great friendships with the girls, and I feel like I understand the team. I’m really grateful every time I get called into camp and see everyone. It’s like a little family.
“I want to keep putting my right foot forward in club land and do what I have to do to get a call-up every time. To put this jersey on is my focus.”
Turning her attention to the SheBelieves Cup, Micah said that both the United States and Colombia will be a fantastic challenge for the whole defence.
“The US, they are just quality all around, and have been for years,” she said, "while Colombia are bringing different skills to the table.
“I trust the people in front of me, so hopefully we do a good job at shutting them down.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | SHEBELIEVES CUP | 17 – 27 FEBRUARY 2025
United States v CommBank Matildas
Date: Sunday, 23 February 2025 (local) / Monday, 24 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 3.05pm MST (local) / 9.05am (AEDT)
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale (AZ)
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup
CommBank Matildas v Colombia
Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 (local) / Thursday, 27 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 4.37pm PST (local) / 11.37am (AEDT)
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego (CA)
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup