Clare Wheeler has lost count of the amount of times she has played at McDonald Jones Stadium, but never will it have felt so good.
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The Adamstown Rosebud junior is set to return home as a freshly capped Matilda when Australia take on the might of the world No.1 ranked USA in Newcastle on Tuesday night.
Wheeler made her Matildas debut against the Republic of Ireland in September, added two more caps against Brazil last month and has retained her place in Tony Gustavsson's squad for the two-match series with the back-to-back world champions.
They meet in front of what is expected to be an Australian record crowd for a Matildas match at Stadium Australia on Saturday night before backing up three days later at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Wheeler's home-coming continues what has been a whirlwind 12 months for the midfielder. It has included a W-League premiership with Sydney FC, an overseas contract with Danish big guns Fortuna Hjorring and a Matildas call-up.
"When I saw Newcastle would be one of the venues, I can't even describe the feeling," Wheeler told the Newcastle Herald. "And then to find out I was selected in the squad, I'm stoked. To get to play in your home town is just incredible.
"I've lost count how many times I've played at McDonald Jones, but to actually do it in a Matildas jersey will be incredible and I can't wait."
A big crowd is also expected for the Newcastle match and Wheeler, who played seven W-League seasons with the Jets, has never forgotten the feeling of being in the packed stands of McDonald Jones Stadium as Australia thumped Chile 5-0 three years ago.
"The atmosphere and the crowd was electric at that game," Wheeler said.
"Every time the Matildas scored, the crowd just went crazy and it was great to see that Newcastle embraced the Matildas."
That experience fuelled Wheeler's goal of one day playing for her country at senior level after representing Australia at youth level.
"It's hard to be what you can't see, so when you have the Matildas in front of you playing in your home town that really kind of ignites something in you," she said.
"That makes you think I want to do that, and I want to do it in front of my family and friends. It's not just a feeling myself but probably a shared feeling amongst the community of girls that are out there playing.
"Soccer is a big sport in Newcastle with a lot of participation, so just to have the Matildas travel up to Newcastle is great not only for me but for everyone. For me personally, it definitely motivates you that bit more to make that dream a reality."
Wheeler is one of two Newcastle players in the Australian squad alongside long-serving midfielder Emily van Egmond.
Registered junior participants (12 years and under) in Northern NSW can access tickets for $5.
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