Australia test looms large for USWNT side looking to turn things around

After a subpar SheBelieves Cup, Thursday's match is the last chance the U.S. will have before the World Cup to test itself against a fellow contender

Any friendly that takes place two months before a World Cup is inherently important, but Thursday’s match against Australia will carry an extra sense of urgency for the U.S. women’s national team.

The USWNT went 28 games without a loss before January’s defeat at France. That game could have been an aberration, but the SheBelieves Cup in February and March suggested it may instead be the start of a worrying trend.

Jill Ellis’ side stumbled to two draws against fellow World Cup contenders Japan and England, before narrowly defeating Brazil in the…