Teagan Micah had to pinch herself when she was training alongside Lydia Williams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019.
But the 21-year-old goalkeeper is now working hard to press her claim for No. 1 jersey and unseat the veteran Westfield Matildas shot-stopper she admires.
Feature image: Joseph Mayers / FFA Photography
“It was pretty surreal,” Micah told www.matildas.com.au.
“She’s a great of the game in Australia. Just watching her work and train, you always learn from that and keep pushing yourself.
“But at the end of the day, I’m going to be pushing for that spot.
“I’m still young in the scheme of things. I know this is the beginning of my career."
WE'RE BACK: Westfield Matildas assemble for NSW training camp
WOMEN IN SPORT: Vote for the Westfield Matildas
Micah was the only uncapped player in Ante Milicic’s initial 23-player squad representing Australia at world football’s showpiece tournament earlier this year.
A student of University of California in Los Angeles, USA, she also became the first player from American college football to be picked for the Westfield Matildas at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ since Danielle Small, a San Diego State graduate, in 2007.
After the eye-widening experience of France, the psychology major is now targeting her debut for Australia in November’s friendlies against Chile in Parramatta and Adelaide.
“That would be unreal. To make your debut for the Matildas is huge enough, and to do it on home soil is just a double whammy," she said.
“Anytime you get into the Matildas set up it is a high quality, top environment that pushes your boundaries.
Micah will be eligible to enter the National Women’s Soccer League draft when she finishes her final collegiate season in December.
She harbours ambitions of playing in Europe soon, but first the former Western Sydney Wanderer and Brisbane Roar ‘keeper is eyeing a return to the Westfield W-League.
“Everything has helped me in my career going to America, getting exposed to different physical sides of the game and different styles of the game.
"Hopefully I can bring it back to the W-League.”
Micah has relished being part of the week-long training camp in Sydney, which has not only allowed her to get back in amongst the Westfield Matildas set-up but also re-united with friends she hasn't seen in many years.
“I was really excited to see [Emma] Checker. We don’t even know the last time we saw each other,” Micah explained.
“We were super close when we were with the Young Matildas and really good friends. So it’s probably been like five years [since we’ve seen each other].
“We’re obviously here to play and train but catching up for coffee and stuff, it’s so good to see everyone again.”
NEWS: Fowler joins Adelaide United
NEWS: van Egmond signs for Melbourne City
