by Genevieve Henry (16/9/23)
Above: Steph Catley (left) and Caitlin Foord’s telepathic connection at club and country is reaping rewards. Photo: Arsenal FC.
Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley play like a well-oiled machine, pumping out chances and baffling the opponents. Arsenal’s Aussies have a relationship matched by no other duo in football, and it’s no wonder why this is.
Foord and Catley have been playing alongside one another for Australia since they were 14. Those fifteen years of experience show whenever they step out onto the pitch together. They have a next-level understanding of one another’s movements. If Foord records an assist, it’s more than likely that she got the ball from Catley, and vice-versa.
When Catley goes forward, Foord covers for her. When Foord weaves in and out of the opposing defence, Catley is there to provide an option. When Catley sends the ball up the field, it finds Foord’s feet before the one can blink.
When these two combine, making incredible movements with both spoken and silent communication, opponents and fans alike are left speechless. While Foord plays well all over the front three, especially as one of two strikers, it’s hard to argue with playing her on left, as it unlocks a connection that’s hard to lose.
One can almost picture it: Catley, flying down the left, lays the ball off to Foord, who taps it back into her path. Foord rushes into the box alongside her teammates as Catley sends in a pinpoint cross. This practised move becomes less impressive every time because this dynamic duo treats fans to almost artistic spectacularities on the regular.
For Australia, the pair share a kind of telepathy. The trust they share is evident, knowing that if one errs, the other will be there to back them up. Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has attributed this success to their connection at Arsenal.
In the post-match press conference after last October’s match against South Africa, Gustavsson said “That’s not our work, that’s the players and Arsenal. It is a privilege for me to bring them in and do the same thing here.”
An example of their connection is their performance against Canada in the World Cup. In Sam Kerr’s absence, Foord shifted from the centre to the left, allowing for this partnership to flourish. Her and Catley combined to create almost every chance of the match, as well as quelling attacks before they became dangerous. Time and time again, these two show what a dream team really is.
Not only do these players know each other’s game inside and out due to their time as teammates, but also due to their time as rivals. In their time in both the Australian A-League Women (W-League at the time) and the United States National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), these players never overlapped at one club. Foord and Catley competed fiercely for titles for years. But now they’re competing together.
Both Foord and Catley have improved immensely since joining Arsenal’s ranks. The famous English club has transformed them from good players to some of the best players in the world. With fellow Australian Kyra Cooney-Cross joining them in North London, one can only imagine this partnership will grow to include the young superstar, to the benefit of both club and country.
Cooney-Cross in the midfield will add an extra option for both Foord and Catley going forward. With her famous driving runs up the pitch, Foord can position herself in the box to attempt to pounce, and Catley can stick out wide to alleviate pressure or cross. The Australians are sure to impress this season for Arsenal.
If they keep playing the way they know best, one can’t imagine anything but success.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 