Above: Cortnee Vine lifts the 2022-23 Premier’s plate, with Charlotte McLean on her left. Image: Sydney FC.
by Genevieve Henry (15/6/24).
Cortnee Vine and Charlotte McLean, Sydney FC’s most iconic and beloved duo, announced on Friday that they are to depart the Sky Blues for the NWSL. After four years with the club, Vine is heading to North Carolina Courage, while McLean’s future is still unknown to the public.
Vine’s star power will be sorely missed, her presence a major factor in the record crowds Sydney pulled this year. She became a household name after her quarterfinal-winning penalty against France in the World Cup, pulling crowds to Sydney games in the hopes of seeing the Matildas speedster.
Vine made the PFA Team of the Season every year she played in Sky Blue, as well as winning Sydney’s Members’ Player of the Year twice, and Golden Boot twice. In her 65 appearances, she scored 30 goals for the club. Her impact both on and off the field will be missed, but fans will be excited to see her develop her skills abroad.
“I’m really excited. I’ve watched the NWSL a bit, they play quite similar to the A-League to be fair, transitional, very quick, athletic. I’m looking forward to going there and being able to verse a lot of athletes like myself. I think it’s going to test me technically. I’m looking forward to seeing where my game can go by going to the league.”
Vine said in a statement, “The biggest reason I’m excited to join the Courage is their style of play. They play beautiful, possession-based football.” She has signed a three-year contract with the American side, where she is eligible from August 1st after she plays in the Olympics. A serial winner at Sydney, Vine will hope to continue that at the most successful club in the NWSL with a record seven league trophies.
She gives all the credit for her success to Sydney and head coach Ante Juric.
“I’m ticking things off at the moment,” Vine laughed, referencing her famous list of childhood goals. “I accomplished all of that when I came to Sydney; consistent starting player, Adidas contract, World Cup, on my way to the Olympics, Premierships, Championships. It doesn’t get much better.”
McLean spoke next, saying, “I don’t know how to jump on the back of that. We came into the club into different positions; Cort had been in the league for a long time, (she) was a Young Matilda. I came in as a bit of a no-one, just happy to be here, and just really excited to get an A-League contract because I never thought I would. Ante took a chance on me, and I can’t believe the player I’ve turned out to be.”
Since joining the club in 2020, Vine from rivals Western Sydney Wanderers and McLean from NPLW side Sydney Olympic, the partners have won five major trophies. Vine says she never would have dreamed of that level of success. “I wouldn’t be there without Ante, and without the club and the girls. We did not think we were gonna come and win five trophies.”
“It’s nice to think about all that we’ve accomplished the last four years…it’s been the best memories I’ve had in my footballing career.”
While Vine’s departure may be the headline, McLean will leave just as big a gap. Voted Sydney’s Player of the Year for 2023-24, her presence in the backline will be sorely missed. McLean has been named twice in the PFA Team of the Season, solidifying her as one of the very best defenders in the country. Throughout her 74 appearances for the Sky Blues, McLean kept an extraordinary 38 clean sheets. Remarkably, the club has had the best defensive record in the league every season McLean has been there. She departs off the back of her best season in the A-League Women and will hope to continue that form in the USA.
While her club has not been announced yet, McLean will bring leadership, talent, and an excitement to learn to whichever club she signs for. Some of her strengths include her blocks, in which she is in the 81st percentile for, and her interceptions, in which she ranks in the 99th percentile. She is an extremely solid centre back with a high ceiling for growth.
“(The A-League) is a younger league. I’m 24, I’m considered older here, and I was a senior player this year, but over there I’ll be one of the younger players.” McLean continued, “I still think I have so much to learn and a lot of areas of my game to improve. I’m really excited to grow my game, my football knowledge, and my ability.”
Above: McLean and Vine hold their latest trophy. Image: Sydney FC.
The pair are thrilled to have the opportunity to play in a fully professional league, something they didn’t have in Australia. McLean said, “The NWSL is so cool. They’re the pioneers of women’s football. The A-League and the NWSL used to tie really well together and you’d get Megan Rapinoe and Emily Sonnet (playing in Australia). I remember watching them when I was an early teenager, and I thought they were rock stars. I’m so excited to be playing in a league that has such a legacy and such amazingly talented women that are still in it and have come through it. It’s just an honour.”
While their time in Sky Blue has come to an end–for now– McLean and Vine will not be leaving the league in a bad place. Vine’s decision to stay home after the World Cup is a decision that has benefitted the A-League Women massively. Her presence changed sport in Australia.
McLean commented on this growth and how the fans carry the Sky Blues, saying “we saw massive crowds, and I think that’s so exciting. It just means that it’s gonna be such a bright future for the club and I hope we all get around it and continue that growth.”
“I know for me personally, (the fans) really turned my season around, and I know it did for the other girls. A big thank you, and hopefully we’ll see you guys in the stands when we come and watch!”
They’re not leaving Sydney in the lurch, either. While their respectively stoic and electric presences will be missed, Sydney has a solid core and an excellent foundation to continue on. Vine said, “It’s destined for more success. We have a lot of young girls who are just extremely talented– a lot of older girls that are still here are extremely talented as well. I see more success for this club, with Ante sticking around. I see this club as being hopefully a pioneer for the Australian league.”
“We have a fantastic squad and some unbelievably talented young players, so I’m convinced the club is in good shape to defend our title.”
McLean agreed, “There’s something about Sydney that the club fosters, that Ante fosters, and the girls foster. They all have this winning mentality and they’re all lovely people. It’s this rare, unique, collective understanding on the field, that you will do anything to win and this is how we’re gonna achieve it.”
Vine chimed in, “It’s the Sydney standard.”
The duo gave a message to the fans with Vine saying, “A massive thank you. Especially this year, we’ve felt the love at every game, we’ve definitely had the Sydney fans turn up, we’ve had the biggest crowds. I hope you guys keep supporting Sydney. We will be from a far, cheering them on and coming to games when we can. Continue telling people about it and getting more fans coming. It’s the best team to support.”
“This club’s been our happy place and safe place for four years now and there’s nothing but good memories,” McLean added. “We’ve made some of our bestest friends at this club, and a coach that we love and respect and adore.”
Juric shares the sentiment, “It is sad to see Charlotte and Cortnee leave the club, but I am extremely proud of them and wish them all the best in the USA…They are excellent players and more importantly great people. I will miss them.”
When asked about how it felt to be wearing the Sky Blue for the last time, Vine responded, “You never say that you won’t come back, it’s something we could definitely see ourselves coming back to.”
“It’s sad to say goodbye, but I don’t think it’s a goodbye forever. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities I’ve had as a Sydney FC player and one day I would love to return to Sky Blue.”
McLean added, “It’s emotional, but Sky Blue forever.”
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