A record number of Australians will turn out in the US-based National Women's Soccer League as the next phase of the Matildas' road to the World Cup begins.
At least 13 Matildas, led by superstar Sam Kerr, have secured playing deals in America for the upcoming season, allowing them to play in the world's best league ahead of June's Women's World Cup.
Kerr, the all-time leading NWSL scorer, will lead the line for Chicago Red Stars for a second season.
Six of the nine teams will host Matildas, with the well-travelled Elise Kellond-Knight and prodigious Amy Harrison heading stateside for the first time.
Kellond-Knight has played in a string of countries but never before in America, and said her decision to move was made with France in mind.
"When I was thinking about the World Cup and what I wanted, I wanted a new challenge," she told AAP.
"It hasn't been something I've gravitated towards yet ... (in the US they play) such a direct style and I like to pay possession-based, short, medium pass-style.
"In America it's really hard to find a team that does that. I selected where I wanted to go and it's why I've waited for an opportunity to go to a club like (Tacoma-based) Reign FC."
Emily Gielnik could yet join the US-based cohort, with a number of teams sniffing around the in-form winger after dazzling displays for Melbourne Victory and Australia.
Three other Matildas will be based in Europe. Tameka Butt will head back to Norway while Spain-based pair Aivi Luik and Alex Chidiac are already mid-season and have departed Australia to continue their club campaigns.
"It's a very different preparation phase for us," Kellond-Knight said.
"Every big tournament in the past, we've been based together in camp style.
"Now the majority are at big clubs, they don't have the luxury of pulling us in outside FIFA dates. They've had to adjust."
American-contracted Matildas will travel to the US imminently and begin pre-season training ahead of a mid-April season kick-off.
Their next competitive match will be for Australia, in Colorado against the USA on April 5.
Nine members of the recent Cup of Nations squad, as well as injury-struck midfielder Katrina Gorry, will be staying in Australia and working within the Future Matildas program and possibly playing in state leagues.
WHERE TO? NEXT STEPS FOR THE MATILDAS
* STAYING HOME
Teigen Allen, Laura Alleway, Mackenzie Arnold, Eliza Campbell, Lisa De Vanna, Emily Gielnik, Katrina Gorry, Princess Ibini, Teresa Polias, Gema Simon.
* USA
Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso (Portland Thorns), Steph Catley, Elise Kellond-Knight, Lydia Williams (Reign FC), Amy Harrison, Chloe Logarzo (Washington Spirit), Alanna Kennedy, Emily van Egmond (Orlando Pride), Sam Kerr (Chicago), Claire Polkinghorne, Kyah Simon (Houston Dash).
* EUROPE
Tameka Butt (Klepp IL, Norway), Alex Chidiac (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Aivi Luik (Levante, Spain).
Australian Associated Press
