DUBBO can now lay claim to a FIFA World Cup player after Ashleigh Sykes featured for the Matildas against the USA earlier this morning (Australian time).
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Local junior Sykes came off the bench late in the match but wasn't able to stop the Aussies from going down 3-1 to the tournament favourites at Winnipeg Stadium in Canada.
Despite falling behind early, the Matildas fought back and equalised through Lisa De Vanna but two late strikes sealed the win for the powerhouse American side.
While the final result was disappointing, the appearance capped off a stellar 12 months for Canberra United star Sykes.
The speedy attacker picked up the player of the match prize in Canberra's W-League grand final win while she was also awarded the W-League Goal of the Year accolade.
While she couldn't stop her side losing yesterday, the loss doesn't signal the end of Sykes' and Australia's World Cup adventures with group stage matches against Nigeria and Sweden still remaining.
Nigeria and Sweden drew 3-all yesterday to be on one point each while America now sit on top with three points and Australia remain on zero.
Sykes and her teammates must gain a point at least from Saturday's match against Nigeria to be any hope of advancing to the next round but coach Alen Stajcic has confidence in his squad.
"We've got 23 strong players here so we'll see how everyone pulls up tomorrow," he said after the match.
"We've got a tough battle against Nigeria who I thought were exceptional.
"No-one's won or lost the World Cup after round one."
Megan Rapinoe was brilliant for the Americans and scored a double while Christen Press also scored to give the world's number two ranked team victory.
But the scoreline didn't tell the full story with Australian captain De Vanna's goal to equalise in her 100th international proved the Matildas could still contend in Canada.
De Vanna capped fine lead-up work by Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Sykes' Canberra teammate Michelle Heyman to lash home at the near post and score at her third World Cup.
Australia could have added to De Vanna's strike and led into the break but for inspirational work by US goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Down 3-1 late in the match, Strajcic brought on Kyah Simon in the 69th minute and Sykes in the 83rd in order to get a goal back.
But the Americans held out with their impressive defence barely allowing Sykes a touch of the ball.
"A couple of bits of class from the Americans proved the difference," Stajcic said.
"When we had our four or five chances in the first half an hour we didn't take them and Hope Solo pulled off a couple of good saves to keep them in the game."
The Matildas now take on Nigeria on Saturday at 6.30am (AEST time) before meeting Sweden in their final group game on Wednesday morning
The top two teams from each of six groups progress to the Round of 16 along with the four best third-placed sides.
