Why the USWNT is so good – and so popular

by Theo Hewson Betts (22/1/23)

Above: Scenes from the New York City ticker tape parade after the USWNT won the World Cup. Photo: Flickr/New York City Department of Transportation

Let’s get one thing absolutely clear before anything else – America loves winning. That is the most important piece of background to this piece, and it is vital that you remember it above all else.

In women’s football, the US have been trailblazers. They competed in the first women’s World Cup back in 1991 and hosted it in 1999. They won it in each of these years but it was the ‘99 victory that meant the most. It was a public exposure of the sport to the American public and, with Mia Hamm – one of the most respected and talented players of her time – providing the hero that the public needed to get hooked.

The reason that the USA were so ready for the advent of the World Cup is because of the Title IX rule – a civil rights law passed in 1972 that enforced equal funding in schools and universities towards men’s and women’s sports. In the space of 20 years, the number of girls playing high school football jumped from 700 to 120,000 (https://www.sportsver.com).

This progressive attitude towards women in football was way outside of the norm. In some of the most famous footballing nations across Europe and the World, women were essentially banned from playing the sport in any competitive circumstance. So even once the laws were changed, the infrastructure to produce and nurture young talent either didn’t exist or was too far behind to threaten the quality of the US or countries like Norway.

Above: DC Women’s Soccer team vs St Lawrence. Photo: Flickr/Durham Lords.

Interestingly, the thing that gave the US its advantage in the women’s game has been the thing holding the nation back in producing elite talents in the men’s game.

The college draft system that exists in the United States essentially replaces the academies of other countries. Young athletes are often offered places at colleges based on their sporting ability, and continue their moulding on campuses across the US, before being brought into the senior club game upon graduation.

When the college system is put side-by-side with elite footballing academies, it pales in comparison, as players don’t begin being effectively moulded for the adult game until they get out of college. In contrast, academies teach football from ages as young as 6. This is why the US when on a level playing field with countries like Spain, Germany or England, struggles to compare.

Contrast this with the approach to the women’s game – where the USA had college football education and other nations had next to none – and it becomes incredibly easy to see how the US managed to make its mark as a powerhouse of the world’s game.

The US women’s team had an advantage and then started winning. Winning in the US is the best way of drawing the attention of the populace and this was a sport, although not yet operating at its maximum capacity, that America had an opportunity to dominate for years.

American sports are full of irony. Baseball teams are named World Champions for leagues played entirely in the US. Athletes such as Tom Brady or Michael Jordan are lauded as the best athletes in the history of the world despite playing sports that are largely America-based. There is a real belief within the nation that Americans have a superiority in the sporting world, and early victories in women’s football provided more support for that belief.

Regardless of the massive achievement that was winning the first World Cup, in order to catch fire, the football team needed a spark. That spark came when the USA became the host of the 1999 tournament. It gave fans across the country the opportunity to witness a winning team.

The average attendance across that tournament was 37,000 and the American team scored 18 goals in six games on their way to a second World Cup in three tournaments. The overall attendance at the tournament was not beaten until 2015, which had more matches than the original layout. Not only was it one of the most successful tournaments in women’s sports, but it ignited the American interest in what they call soccer and embedded it firmly into the American psyche.

Mia Hamm was the star of the team and she was just important in pushing the popularity of the sport as the team’s success. The US is so commercially centred that the sport needed a Michael Jordan. It needed a Tom Brady, a Babe Ruth. Mia Hamm became that for football.

Above: Mia Hamm taking a corner. Photo: John Mena

Hamm appeared in numerous adverts for popular products:

  • A Gatorade advert with Michael Jordan that ended with her judo tackling the basketballer to the floor
  • Became the mascot for the Wheaties box after the World Cup
  • Appeared on essentially every late-night cable TV show
  • Was profiled on television repeatedly
  • Was the focus of the game Mia Hamm 64 – a Nintendo Soccer Game

Hamm became the marketable player that the sport needed to convince young girls to start playing. Rather than aiming for nothing in particular, they could aim to be the next Mia Hamm; and this had a huge impact on how popular the sport was in schools.

The number of high school girls playing football had risen to a quarter of a million by 1999 and that did not stop rising. It is now the most popular sport for girls of that age and America’s national team is not getting any worse as time goes on.

The thing that makes America’s relationship with football so intriguing is its dismissal of the men’s game. Despite impressive talents like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey operating at the elite level of the European game, the national team were never as successful as their counterparts, with the very college system that elevated the women’s game, holding back the men.

An interesting observation over recent weeks has come in all of my discussions with friends about the Qatar World Cup. There was no mention of their national team since Gregg Berhalter’s young side were knocked out by the Netherlands. There is a rejection of failure in American culture and so the women’s team remains at the present time lauded as greater than the men’s.

The legacy of Mia Hamm and the ‘99ers’ will live for a long time; not just in the memory of those who were there to witness it, but also in the stepovers and strikes of the young girls who dream of making it themselves.

Football is the World’s sport, and America empowered generations of girls where other countries failed them. Now, as the rest of the world continues the scramble to catch up, the US can wave them on from the finish line, secure in the knowledge that they can legitimately say they have been World Champions.

Nix to take on Sydney FC in Auckland

by Denise Duffy, New Zealand correspondent (22/1/23)

Above: North Harbour Stadium, where Wellington Phoenix will host Sydney FC next month. Photo: Auckland Stadiums.

Wellington Phoenix have announced that their women’s team will be playing their A-League Women round 15 match against Sydney FC at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau’s, New Zealand on Sunday 26th February.

North Harbour Stadium has a seating capacity of 19,000 and is located in Albany on the city’s North Shore. The Phoenix women’s current home is at Sky Stadium in Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, with a capacity of 34,500. There is an eight-hour drive between the two venues.

“With Auckland being the biggest city and having a huge number of football clubs and players, it makes total sense to take the game to Albany. There are a lot of young female players and fans in Auckland who will love the opportunity to watch their heroes play,” says supporter Jonathan Hagger, a member of the team’s Flight of the Nix supporters group.

Above: An aerial view of North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Photo: Austadiums.

“North Harbor Stadium is easy to get to, has great facilities and with the game being on a Sunday afternoon it will be attractive for families.”

“One of the biggest advantages of the stadium is that it is smaller and rectangular.” says Holly Eades of the Little Corner of Yellow supporters group. “It allows the fans to be closer to the action and the players will be able to hear us cheering them on in a more intimate venue.”

North Harbor Stadium is also home to the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament and will host six matches beginning on 17th February.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Phoenix take flight with stunning win

Wellington Phoenix 5-0 Canberra United

By Kieran Yap

Above: Wellington Phoenix celebrate their fourth goal against Canberra United. Photo: Keep Up.

“It really has been coming for us,” said Chloe Knott after Wellington Phoenix’s 5-0 defeat of Canberra United. It is safe say that very few people outside of the club could have predicted it.

Coming into this match, Wellington’s form was concerning. Even for a new side featuring a young core, they were underperforming and showed little improvement from last season. There had been glimpses. They were organized but ultimately toothless against Western United, and up until Sunday morning, that had been their most encouraging display.

Against a dangerous Canberra United, Wellington were dominant. They were disciplined, creative, fast, and composed. This was a complete performance by the home side made especially impressive considering key players had featured against the USA in an ill-timed international just 20 hours before.

The back four were perfection against one of the league’s most versatile attacks. Mackenzie Barry and Kate Taylor look back to their best as a unit and as individuals.

Above: Wellington Phoenix’s defence was impressive. Photo: Keep Up.

Barry was faced with Michelle Heyman for much of the match. Although the Canberra captain looked capable of scoring, she was given no easy chances. Taylor sent a reminder of what she can provide when fully fit. Her ability to win possession and maintain it is remarkable for a player of her relative inexperience.

The match was likely won in midfield, where The Phoenix pressured as a team and moved the ball before Canberra could get in shape to defend. Millie Clegg was the dominant figure for much of the match. Her close control and passing was an outlet for Wellington and a concern for Canberra.

It was fitting that Clegg scored the opening goal. The Phoenix had dominated for the majority of the opening half, but their best chance was spurned by Ava Pritchard who shot over the bar with an open goal at her mercy.

A corner kick was whipped in and Clegg stayed composed to side-foot it home through a crowded goal line. Wellington had taken advantage of their momentum and deserved the lead in the 43rd minute.

The lead was doubled before halftime. Just moments later Betsy Hassett finished another move with Clegg at the centre of it all. Pritchard held up the ball well on the right and flicked a pass into the path of Clegg who’s shot stung the palms of Chloe Lincoln. Hassett was on hand to finish off the rebound.

Above: Betsy Hassett in possession for Wellington Phoenix today. Photo: Keep Up.

Canberra would have come out in the second half with a plan to get back into the contest, but all of that was undone when Pritchard scored in the 46th minute.

A flowing move ended with Michaela Foster on the left flank. When she has time to cross it usually means a chance for Wellington, and she laid it on a plate for Pritchard who finished with one touch at full pace. 3-0.

Even when things went wrong for Wellington, it ended up on their highlights reel. Chloe Knott conceded a clumsy penalty through a handball and Canberra had a lifeline.

Brianne Edwards had other ideas, and she dove to her right to save Vesna Milivojevic’s strike in athletic style.

Wellington put the result beyond any remaining doubt in the 83rd minute. Izzy Gomez shaped to shoot on the edge of the penalty area but clipped a clever pass through to Hassett who finished excellently to make it four.

Above: Canberra United look to press, but the Nix have it covered. Photo: Keep Up.

Mickey Robertson deflected a corner toward goal to make it five in the dying stages. Canberra appealed for a handball, but it appeared to bounce off the shoulder of Robertson at worst. The last touch came off Emma Ilijoski and it has gone down as an own goal to the Canberra defender.

This was a brilliant display by Wellington. Clegg was unstoppable at times, Paige Satchell gave them pace and mobility out wide, and Edwards was sensational in goal.

Their first win for the season came in style, and they have shown that they can score goals, and keep clean sheets in the same game. Pritchard played her best game for the club, and her form will be crucial to any more wins they enjoy.

For Canberra United, this was a shock result. They did lose to Wellington 3-0 last season, but this is a very different side. They were outmatched across the ground, and without Grace Maher in midfield, they lacked the ability to get the tempo on their terms. But this game was all about The Phoenix. It was simply a perfect performance.

Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence told media post-game that the “pressure was piling on” to get a result. “We knew that this win had to happen. We knew that we wanted to do it and how we wanted to do it. I’ve said to the players all along it’s been coming, that 90-minute performance where just everything clicked. I said the goals were coming and today it poured goals.

Above: Wellington Phoenix’s women, men and supporters celebrate together on the Sky Stadium pitch after a historic day that saw both the club’s senior teams win at the same venue on the same day. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.

“For me personally this is a day that I’ll remember forever. To do it how we did it is exactly everything I wanted to promise at the start of the season and thanks for the players for believing in that and sticking to our processes because the outcome happened today.”

Lawrence was especially proud of how her players performed with a two-goal halftime lead. “Credit to them. That could have been the most excitable changing room where they’re losing their heads because they’re like ‘oh my god it’s two-nil’.

“But they’re like ‘no we’re professionals there’s 45 minutes left let’s get more goals. Betsy’s goal was our first goal from open play let’s build on that’.

“We knew there was going to be a game where everything came together, everything we’ve been working on came together and I’m just really, really happy for the players that it was today.

“They stepped up their professionalism today I think. We don’t want to get carried away and get ahead of ourselves. This is the start, and this should be the real turning point in our season.”

Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-4-2): Edwards, van der Meer, Barry, Taylor, Foster, Clegg, Knott, Wisnewski, Satchell, Pritchard, Hassett. Substitutes: Vosper, Gomez, Robertson, Lancaster, Candy.

Scorers: Clegg 43’ Hassett 45’, 83’. Pritchard 56’, Ilijoski (og) 88’.

CANBERRA UNITED (4-4-2): Lincoln, Grove, Brush, Gett, Taylor-Young, Flannery, Wu, Hughes, Jale, Heyman, Milivojevic. Substitutes: Murray, Ilijoski, Christopherson, Faulknor, Segavcic.

Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.

Attendance: 2,044.

Artwork by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Western United stay at the top with win over Brisbane

Western United 2-0 Brisbane Roar 

By Ben Carey (21/01/22)

Above: Hannah Keane embraces teammates after scoring for Western United. Photo: Yahoo Sport.

Western United recorded a 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Tasmania. A very good local crowd of over 2,000 spectators watched the match, which was the first part of a doubleheader. 

Brisbane started off the more aggressive of the two sides, with Katrina Gorry, Larissa Crummer, and Shea Connors all involved in promising half chances in the first couple of minutes. Just before the 10 minutes mark, Crummer made a good physical challenge on a Western defender to steal the ball, and took a shot on goal, but it was easily collected by the Western United keeper, Hillary Beall.

A few minutes later, Connors won an excellent ball in the midfield, passed to Gorry, who whipped it out to Roar captain, Ayesha Norrie. Norrie ran at the goal and struck a good shot, but Beall made a diving save to deny the shot. 

The first real chance for Western United came in the 19th minute after a defensive mistake from the Brisbane backline led to Hannah Keane having possession of the ball. She took a shot on goal, but Hancuff was equal to it.

Just before regulation time for the first half expired, Adriana Taranto found herself in a dangerous position with the ball. She drilled it low and hard to the bottom left corner. The shot had Hancuff beaten, but just faded wide. 

Taranto was disappointed; however, she wouldn’t have to wait long before being rewarded for her hard work. Two minutes later, she was an essential part of Western United’s first goal of the match. Taranto hit a good through ball to Jessica McDonald, who crossed it into the box, drawing a favourable deflection from a Brisbane defender that found the feet of Keane, who found the back of the net, with assistance from the inside of the goalpost.

The Roar started out the second half just as strongly as in the first half, with lots of great build-up, usually involving Gorry, Connors, and Crummer, but in every instance, the finishing product was not there. Brisbane’s best chance of the match came in the 49th minute when a great long ball from the midfield found Crummer in enough space to land a 747. Crummer ran at the Western keeper, with easily enough time to shape up a good shot but ended up kicking it straight to the keeper in the middle of the box.

Just before the hour mark, on the counterattack from one of Brisbane Roar’s attempts, Western United struck again.

McDonald made an amazing run past two Brisbane defenders and delivered a solid ball into the box. T.J. Vlajnic hustled hard to win the ball, putting it against the inside of the post. It bounced back out right in front of the goals and before anyone could clear it Vlajnic had successfully followed up for Western’s second goal of the day.

Western United managed to close out the remaining 30 minutes plus a long injury time without too much drama. The win ensured that they would stay at the top of the table, two points ahead of Melbourne City, and with one game in hand over their nearest rival.

Western United showed again why they are the team to beat this season, with a consistent performance all round. McDonald performed exceptionally well in her last game for Western United before returning home to the States. Her quick, dynamic movement and great passes helped set up one goal and create a bunch of other opportunities throughout the match.

Keane put in a solid shift as always, scoring the initial goal and creating other dangerous chances for her teammates. Beall defended the Western United goals very well, making six saves to record her fourth clean sheet for the campaign.

Above: Brisbane Roar’s Jessie Rasschaert (left) tussles with Tyla-Jay Vlajnic. Photo: Keep Up.

For Brisbane, the attacking mindset was definitely there. The Roar had 18 shots during the match. But poor passing accuracy, lack of intent, and an inability to convert chances let them down.

That said, Connors was excellent. Her speed, willingness to make challenges and win the ball was perhaps the best it has been all season. She took several shots on goal and created good opportunities for her teammates as well. Gorry worked her magic in the midfield as always, but there’s only so much one woman can do. Hollie Palmer and Crummer had some good moments in the match as well.

Western United will face Canberra United next weekend and Brisbane Roar will take on Wellington Phoenix, buoyed by their first win of the season today.

Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Papadopoulos, Cummings, Cerne, Medwin, M. Taranto, Robers, A. Taranto, McDonald, Keane, Vlajnic. Substitutes: Dall’Oste, Beard, Sawicki, Steer, Johnson.

Scorers: Keane 45+2’, Vlajnic 56’.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (4-1–4-1): Hancuff, Kramer, Lind, Rankin, Rasschaert, Norrie, Connors, Gorry, Palmer, Riley, Crummer. Substitutes: Shuttleworth, McQueen, Levin, Kruger, Robinne.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello

Attendance: 2,050.

Artwork by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Football Ferns break NZ attendance record as USA dominate

New Zealand 0-5 United States of America

by Denise Duffy at Eden Park for Impetus (21/1/23)

Above: New Zealand’s Ali Riley wins a header against the USA’s Ashley Sanchez. Photo: NZ Football.

It was a historic day for women’s football in Aotearoa / New Zealand. For their second match against the USWNT, a record-breaking 12,721 people came to Auckland’s Eden Park to watch the Ferns. They got thumped by the world champions by a scoreline of five goals to nil.

“It’s so unique for New Zealand. We are so thankful that we can play in front of a home crowd that is so supportive. Knowing that we are playing against number one in the world, knowing that they are such a strong team.  I had goosebumps. When I could hear the fans  I knew was a huge motivation for our players to keep working hard, keep connecting, and keep looking for those little wins on the field,” said head Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková in the post-match media conference.

Above: The scene at Eden Park as New Zealand hosted the USWNT in front of a record crowd. Photo: Denise Duffy for Impetus.

In this non-FIFA window, club teams were not obliged to release their athletes. It left the Kiwis without many of their stalwarts.

The Ferns’ depleted squad was no match for the likes of speedy and talented Trinity Rodman, Rose Lavelle, and Mallory Swanson. Forward Ashley Hatch, who replaced Alex Morgan just before kickoff, got on the board first at the 22nd minute with a textured assist from Trinity Rodman.

Lavelle, who was captain for the day, added two goals herself, one in each half. Swanson continued her red-hot form with another one in the back of the net. Finally, Taylor Kornieck used her 6’1” frame, and went unmarked in the box to score a header from a corner.

Instead of focusing on the scoreline, the Ferns decided to make this campaign against the world’s number-one team as a way to connect with their domestic fans and build their team culture.

Above: New Zealand head coach Jitka Klimková and Anna Green speak to the media after the match. Photo: Denise Duffy for Impetus.

Speaking afterwards, Anna Green commented: “It’s always disappointing to lose five nil but we’re not going to dwell on that. And as a group it was about holding on to the positive and staying in touch with what our game plan was.

“It was trying to get better at every training session, every game, and every chance that we’re together. The beauty of this tour is that we’ve done that and we’ve done that with 10 to 12 people that might not normally be part of the squad. That’s something we should be proud of as a team and as a nation as well.”

Teams: NEW ZEALAND (4-4-2): Nayler, Riley, Rennie, Chance, Satchell, Cleverley, Anton, Ally Green, Jale, Collins, Anna Green. Substitutes: Rolston, Wisnewski, Barry, Ward, O’Brien

UNITED STATES (4-3-3): Murphy, Sanchez, Cook, Huerta, Swanson, Girma, Morgan, Lavelle, Sullivan, Dunn, Rodman. Substitutes: Williams, Mewis, Korniack, Purce, Sonnett

Scorers: Hatch 22’, Lavelle 38’, 74’. Swanson 53’, Kornieck 79’.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 12,721.

Manchester United announce Riviere signing

21/1/23

Above: Jayde Riviere in action for Canada. Photo: Manchester World.

Manchester United Women have announced the signing of 21-year-old Canadian international defender Jayde Riviere on a contract running until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Riviere made her full international debut at just 16 years old and has since gone on to make 36 senior caps for Canada and was part of their Olympic Gold winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, as well as securing two silver CONCACAF medals for her country.

Speaking after signing for the club, Riviere revealed that the move is the culminationm of a dream coming true: “I am a huge Manchester United fan, so this is a dream come true for me to sign here. I’m really looking forward to developing and learning at this huge football club, and I can’t wait to use all my playing attributes to help us achieve our joint goals on the pitch.”

United head coach Marc Skinner believes that the signing of the Canadian underlines his club’s commitment to developing young talent: “Jayde is an exciting young player who matches the long-term version of Manchester United, and our continued belief in nurturing the best young talent in the game.

“We have been monitoring Jayde for a long time and believe she has the attributes to become an excellent footballer.  We are delighted she has signed her first professional contract with us and look forward to seeing the quality she will add to the group.”

Chidiac-inspired comeback leaves Adelaide still searching for Victory

Adelaide United 1-2 Melbourne Victory

by Ben Gilby (21/1/23)

Above: Alex Chidiac (left) jumps for joy after scoring her equaliser for Melbourne Victory as Beattie Goad looks to join in the celebrations. Photo: Keep Up.

Melbourne Victory ended their run of three straight draws after coming from behind to defeat Adelaide United at ServiceFM Stadium today.

Second-half strikes from the influential Alex Chidiac and Kayla Morrison were reward for a greatly improved showing from Jeff Hopkins’ side after the break.

Whilst the visitors return to winning ways, Adelaide United’s finals hopes remain in real danger after their run without a win extends to five games – a spell that has seen them assemble only a single point since 17th December.

As predicted in his media conference on Friday (see https://impetusfootball.org/2023/01/20/a-league-women-media-conferences-7/), Adelaide United boss Adrian Stenta was able to bring back Jenna McCormick and Katie Bowler into his squad.

Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins made five changes to the team that gained a draw at Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday. Casey Dumont, who has been in superb form all season, missed out due to illness, with Miranda Templeman taking her place in goal. Also coming in were Tiff Eliadis, Paige Zois, Elise Kellond-Knight, and Maja Markovski, who made her first start of the season after injury.

Adelaide took the lead with eight minutes on the clock. Claudia Bunge was adjudged to have punished Emilia Murray in the back out on the right outside the box. Mindy Barbieri floated in the free-kick and last season’s A-League Women’s top scorer Fiona Worts was left unmarked to head comfortably into the far left-hand corner of the net for her first of the campaign.

Above: Adeliade United celebrate after Fiona Worts put them ahead. Photo: Adelaide United.

The South Australians had built their first-half performance around winning the midfield battle and created a number of half chances to increase their lead which Victory were able to scramble away. Adelaide achieved this despite only having 40% of possession. Therefore warning signs were there for Adrian Stenta’s side. Creating chances and not taking them when having less of the ball is a recipe for longer-term problems in a match.

As the half ticked on past the half-hour mark, the visitors began to assert themselves far more offensively. Beattie Goad’s influence was increasing with jinking runs and deliveries from the left.

Adelaide were becoming more disjointed and inaccurate with their passing, with Victory increasing the pace of their press on any red shirt with the ball. They did though manage to create another excellent opportunity as Worts beat Kellond-Knight along the left of the box and pulled a low ball across for Chelsie Dawber who couldn’t get sufficient power into her shot to worry Templeman.

As the half came to an end, the momentum was shifting towards the visitors as their possession time in the final third increased incrementally.

Chidiac stepped it up from the restart. A marauding run with a swift injection of pace eased her through the Adelaide defence before offloading to Goad who fired in an effort that Grove dealt with. It was a warning sign.

Just moments later, Goad escaped from the close attentions of Yuyi Xiao and Isabel Hodgson on the left and pulled a low ball into the centre of the box for Chidiac to take a touch and fire home a low half volley.

Victory were now dominant with Chidiac pulling the strings and a combination of Goad and Eliadis threatening the Adelaide defence. With the battle of the midfield now clearly going the way of the visitors, Jeff Hopkins’ side were energised. They were quicker in their press, more rapid in their attacking, and more creative in their attacking ideas.

Above: Alex Chidiac shows her delight after equalising for Melbourne Victory. It was a sensational second-half performance from the Matildas midfielder. Photo: Keep Up.

When the home side did offer something offensively, it was noticeably more ponderous in its construction. They did offer a glimmer with Worts’ low long-distance shot being claimed by Templeman, but it only served to provoke Chidiac into another creative surge.

The Matildas midfielder showed great pace to run between Barbieri and Sasaki and driving a high ball in that was directed by a defender onto their own crossbar with Markovski unable to force the rebound in.

Markovski saw another opportunity go agonisingly wide when Rikke Madsen’s pass across to Kellond-Knight was played across to the attacker who sent the ball trickling past the left-hand post.

Goad created once more along the left and escaped from Paige Hayward to send in a high ball for Lia Privitelli at the back post, but the header was just over the top. Chidiac then saw a deliberate Olimpico attempt just fail from the right within seconds. A goal was coming for the visitors. It was just a matter of when.

It came within moments. Chidiac stepped up once more with a corner on the left which came high into the mix and was met by Morrison with a looping header from the edge of the six-yard box.

Seconds later, Chidiac was within centimetres of doubling her side’s lead with a moment of outrageous skill. She lifted the ball over McCormick just outside the box and as it came down, headed against the bar.

There was time for one final opportunity for Adelaide to save a point. Worts’ ball in from the left was met by the head of McCormick, but Templeman made a superb diving save.

Adelaide United are now at a crossroads. They are creating chances, but cannot convert them as they did last season. The Reds’ current poor run of results also comes with a statistic of only two goals in five matches. Things won’t get any easier next weekend when they travel to Melbourne City. Their season is very much on the line.

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Grove, I. Hodgson, McCormick, Waldus, Hayward, Barbieri, Sasaki, Dawber, Xiao, Murray, Worts. Substitutes: Bowler, Coorey, Farrow, E. Hodgson, Westland.

Scorers: Worts 8′.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-2-3-1): Templeman, Nash, Bunge, Morrison, Tathem, Eliadis, Kellond-Knight, Zois, Chidiac, Goad, Markovski. Substitutes: Jackson, Madsen, Murphy, Privitelli, Rowe.

Scorers: Chidiac 51′, Morrison 85′.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 1,006.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Wilkinson strike the difference as City edge Wanderers

Melbourne City 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers

by Ryan Miller-Woods (21/1/23)

Above: Hannah Wilkinson looks to round diving Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis. Photo: Keep Up.

Melbourne City are back on the winner’s list with a close 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Casey Fields.

The only goal of the match was scored by New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson who has now hit the back of the net in consecutive matches. It also ended Western Sydney’s four-match unbeaten streak in the A-League Women.

Wilkinson was a menace from the earliest stages. Within five minutes, she jumped on a back pass made by Western Sydney Wanderers’ Lauren Keir but goalkeeper Sham Khamis was able to block the effort with Danika Matos clearing the ball away from the box.

City continued to press, and with 14 minutes gone, hit the front. A corner by Rhianna Pollicina found the head of Kaitlin Torpey which deflected off the back of a defender, sending the ball up into the air. Khamis was able to get a touch on it but it directly went towards Wilkinson who didn’t really need to exert any energy at all as she headed the ball into the back for the opening goal of the match.

Wanderers responded. Sophie Harding intercepted the ball from Katie Bowen and advanced before seeing her shot being brilliantly saved by Melissa Barbieri.

Above: Melbourne City’s Naomi Chinnama looks to get away from Cushla Rue of Western Sydney Wanderers today. Photo: Keep Up.

Western Sydney wasn’t out of the match by any means and Harding created another great opportunity just before the break as she slotted a great through ball to Sarina Bolden who advanced and fire a shot that Barbieri repelled for a corner.

Chances were fewer in the second period. The visitors had an opportunity just after the hour mark as a link-up between Torpey and Pollicina led to the latter getting away a shot at goal from outside the box that went just going too high.

Western Sydney could have levelled with eight minutes remaining as Malia Steinmetz’s through ball found Danika Matos whose shot at goal in the box was comfortably saved by Barbieri.

Two minutes later, City came agonisingly close to scoring a second goal thanks to Leticia McKenna whose through ball found Wilkinson who then ran onto it with her shot on an angle in the box just went wide of the goal.

Bryleeh Henry had the final opportunity to confirm City’s win as Wilkinson went down the right-hand side, then crossed the ball to Pollicina who laid the ball off to the former Wanderers star, but her shot from the edge of the box went over the bar.

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (3-4-3): Barbieri, Torpey, Chinnama, Checker, Roestbakken, Bowen, Davidson, Pollicina, Grosso, Galic, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Hrehoresin, Blissett, Henry, Malone, McKenna.

Scorers: Wilkinson 14’.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-1-2-1-2): Khamis, Matos, Keir, Hunt, Apostolakis, Caceres, Harrison, Gordon, Chessari, Bolden, Harding. Substitutes: Hristodoulou, Price, Rue, Steinmetz, Morrissey.

Referee: Bec Mackie.

Attendance: 247.

Artwork by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Super League Media Conferences

Johnathan Stack and Rachel Lara Cohen joined the Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur media conferences as Gareth Taylor and Rehanne Skinner looked ahead to battles ahead this weekend (20/1/23).

Manchester City:

Above: Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor – believes his team are still in the title race. Photo: Manchester City.

Manchester City are back in WSL action tomorrow as Gareth Taylor’s side takes on Aston Villa at the Academy Stadium.

City’s 1-0 win in the Conti Cup against Leicester City in midweek extended the Sky Blues’ run to 11 wins in the last 12 games – a run which has seen them clinch a place in the quarter-final of that competition and rise rapidly up the WSL table.

Taylor spoke to the media ahead of the clash with Villa, and the City boss thinks that his side’s recent run of form has helped to maintain belief in a Barclays Women’s Super League title push.

Taylor said, “We’ve always spoken about that belief within the team and even if you’re far away from your objective it can feel like a big difference but having the belief to do it comes from winning games. That’s really important and the margins are so tight in the WSL, the difference between winning and drawing a game can be crucial.

“That draw last week helped us gain a couple of points and gave us momentum, we just have to concentrate on the next game.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home game, the City boss Taylor said: “We’ll try our best tomorrow. If we win the game [against Aston Villa], fantastic, but if not, we know we’re not out of it. There’ll be some more movement with teams going up against each other in the games coming up as well.”

In the WSL’s only game tomorrow, City will be looking to keep up with pace-setters Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in what will be City’s first home game of 2023.

City lie in fourth position three points behind third-placed Arsenal, with leaders Chelsea a further three points in areers.

Tottenham Hotspur

by Rachel Lara Cohen

Above: Tottenham Hotspur manager Rehanne Skinner had a wide ranging media conference today. Photo: Tottenham Hotspur.

In her press conference Tottenham Hotspur manager Rehanne Skinner, talked about new signing Manu Iwabuchi, suggested there may still be more transfer news, discussed Spurs’ defensive issues, the team’s next opponents, Leicester City, and provided some injury updates.

New signing: Mana Iwabuchi

Skinner outlined the qualities that she believed Mana Iwabuchi, Spurs’ new loan signing, from Arsenal brings. She highlighted the Japanese star’s on-field intelligence and identified ways that she and Beth England, will improve Spurs offence:

“I think what she, what she brings is that she’s very calm. She’s very composed. She’s technically outstanding. And so when you’re in possession of the ball it helps to give you an opportunity to build in a way that helps develop the possession in your favour, because of how good she is at managing the ball and those situations. Out of possession, she understands and reads the game very well. So it enables her to be more effective out of possession, to help to obviously work within a team [to] essentially make it more difficult for the other team to break you down because of her positional awareness.

“She’s a fantastic character as well, and anybody that’s ever been in a team with her would say that about her, you know. So she brings a lot to the team, you know, on and off the pitch. I think that’s going to be a huge asset to us alongside her experience. Collectively, we want to make sure that we’re looking after possession in a way that helps us to develop the game with a purpose really. And recognizing the right times to do the right things. And she’s certainly got an awareness of the game that’ll help us to add value to that, as with Beth.

And Beth’s timing and movements are excellent, and she wants to be in and around the box, and she wants to get goals. So I think when you add the two of them, they’re two really important players that are going to help was to be more effective in different areas.”

While Iwabuchi is likely to bring much-needed creativity to Spurs, it’s not entirely clear where she will fit within the Spurs line-up and Skinner gave few clues “She’s just been in the door couple of days, really, and we need to make sure that we find the best fit for Mana within the squad”.

Iwabuchi has often played as a 10, but Drew Spence has started in this role most games this season. Sharing game time with Iwabuchi might be an answer to this. Or perhaps we’ll see her taking a wider attacking role. It’s also possible that Skinner switches from the double pivot she’s been using to a single defensive midfielder, playing Iwabuchi just behind Drew.

It may be, however, that we don’t see the club’s newest signing getting a lot of game-time in the upcoming three game week (when Spurs face Leicester in the WSL, Chelsea in the Conti Cup Quarter Finals and then London City Lionesses in the FA Cup, all at home). Having played just 29 minutes in the WSL this season (as well as some Champions League minutes), she is likely to be a little rusty. Skinner emphasised that it is “really important, that we manage [training and game time] properly for her in the next few weeks to make sure that she’s at the best possible condition, she comes up to speed and it doesn’t put her at any kind of risk.”

Above: Mana Iwabuchi – Spurs’ latest impressive signing. Photo: Tottenham Hotspur.
Additional Transfers

Having already made two high-profile transfers in this window, Skinner was asked about whether there would be any more incomings. She suggested that the club were not ruling out another signing in the final two weeks of the transfer window.

“I think we’re always looking at our options. And there’s still a few weeks left in the window, so we need to keep being aware of what’s available. And obviously we’ll see what happens within that I think it’s a never say never. Because again, if the right players are available and we managed to make that work, then we would definitely try and do that.”

She also noted that doing well last season enabled Spurs to “target certain players in a different way.” But that the aim was long-term, to “build a squad for the future, and a club for the future that’s sustainable, and that’s doing a job at a really high level. So there’s a lot going on constantly within the club, and obviously transfers within that have been really important.”

Fixing defensive issues

If England and Iwabuchi are, potentially, key to Spurs scoring more goals. There have also been issues at the other end of the pitch. In response to a question about what they might do to shore up what’s become a leaky defence, Skinner said that it was not about new personnel, but rather….

“The biggest thing for us is we’re constantly trying to work on being the hardest working team and making ourselves hard to beat. And we were too expansive in certain situations pre Christmas. And obviously we’re trying to rectify that. So that’s a big focus area for us. And it’s not about personnel. It’s about ensuring that we’re all working on the same page.”

The upcoming game: Leicester at Brisbane Road

With regard to Sunday’s opponents, Skinner highlighted the physical side of Leicester’s game: “They’re operating in a way that’s helping them to get results. They’re always physically challenging and they make life quite difficult for you in that sense. And I think in terms of how they’re cohesive now, that’s probably more than what it was last time we played them I think it’s going to be a tough test for us and one we’ve got to be ready for.”

Injury updates
Above: Tottenham’s Amy Turner, who Rehanne Skinner had positive news about. Photo: @amy_turner4 Twitter

Spurs fans will be less pleased to hear that the injury crisis at the club isn’t entirely over. The club started last week’s game against Aston Villa with four outfield players on the bench (and then brought all four on as substitutes). The Tottenham boss said that “We’ve had some players with some areas, that means that they’re not available for a full 90. So that the squad numbers might be the squad numbers, but they’re not necessarily always available for the full minutes. But we’re trying to move everybody back in that direction as quickly as possible.”

There was good news about Amy Turner, who went off against Aston Villa. “Amy wasn’t well [but] is now in a position where she’s been back training in today, and she’s looked great today. So she’s just needed a few extra days really, to try and get herself back on track as loads of things going around.”

Jessica Naz has not been seen since the game against Everton on 16th December. Skinner said that “Jess has obviously had an injury that’s kept her out last week, and she’s been partially training today. So we’ll see where she is by the weekend.”

Ramona Petzelberger, hasn’t played since late September, and her return seems a way off. “She’s not back on the grass at the moment. So that’s going to take a little bit longer for her to come back into the team.”

A-League Women Media Conferences

Ahead of this weekend’s matches, Ben Gilby, Denise Duffy, and Ryan Miller-Woods report the views of head coaches and players around the A-League Women (21/1/23).

Adelaide United

by Ben Gilby

Above: Adelaide United head coach Adrian Stenta speaking to the media today ahead of his team’s game with Melbourne Victory on Saturday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.

Adelaide United host Melbourne Victory tomorrow with head coach Adrian Stenta determined that his side will end their winless run which stretches to four matches.

The South Australians’ last win came on 17th December when they won 1-0 at Wellington Phoenix. Since then, they suffered three straight defeats, failing to score on each occasion, before claiming a 1-1 draw at Brisbane Roar last weekend.

Reflecting on his team’s performance in Queensland, Stenta felt that there were signs that things were moving in the right direction. “There were a few positives. We felt like we could make some strong chances and we scored one as well. We came back from being a goal down on the road as well, considering the rough run that we’ve been on too. We finished the game strongly, which is a good sign of our conditioning.”

With his team having a full week of preparation ahead of this weekend’s visit from Melbourne Victory, the Reds’ boss outlined the focus that he and his staff have been doing in the lead-up to the match.

Above: Action from Adelaide United training this week. Jenna McCormick (right) is in with “a chance” of playing some part in tomorrow’s game against Melbourne Victory. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.

“It has been good to get more tactical work (done) ahead of a tough game against Melbourne Victory. We expect them to come here and be up for the fight. We need to match their intensity and effort if we are going to get something from the game.”

Tomorrow’s match sees two sides strongly backed to finish in the top four in the midst of a sticky run of form. The defending champions are on a run of three straight draws, and Stenta knows that Jeff Hopkins’ team will be as keen as his own side to get back to winning ways.

“They are a very experienced side with good players, experienced players at every level. They are well-coached and difficult to score against. We feel like there are areas we can exploit though, to gain an advantage.”

The media conference concluded with some positive news in terms of returnees from injury, with the Adelaide United boss revealing: “Katie Bowler and Jenna McCormick are both in with a chance of coming back. They could have returned last week but with the closeness of games, it was harder (for them). We’re hopeful they will be able to play a part in the game tomorrow.”

Canberra United

Click on this link to read Ryan Miller-Woods‘ coverage of yesterday’s article featuring the media conference with Michelle Heyman and Emily Roach: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/01/19/heyman-on-return-of-flannery-and-the-threat-of-wellington/

Melbourne City

by Ben Gilby

Above: Dario Vidosic sharing his thoughts with the media ahead of Melbourne City’s game with Western Sydney Wanderers. Image: Melbourne City.

Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic is looking for his team to learn the lessons from the last time they played Western Sydney Wanderers for tomorrow’s return game between the sides.

With the previous encounter just 12 days ago ending in a 2-0 win for the Wanderers, Vidocic is well aware of what went wrong that time and what his players need to do in order to put it right.

“We’re a young team, and it felt like we wanted to put the result to bed. Everyone knew we had three games, they are a dangerous team to play at Wanderers and the table wasn’t a fair reflection (of them). We forced the issue too much. We’ve looked at it and we’ve learned from it.”

That result kicked off a superb run for Western Sydney, which has seen them subsequently become the first side to defeat Western United, and then claim a draw against defending champions Melbourne Victory. The City boss recognises that: “They have momentum and some dominance. We’ll just look to put right what we didn’t do last time (against them).”

Sarina Bolden has been a key part of the Wanderers revival, and Vidosic admitted that his side were not as well prepared to nullify her threats as they might have been. But it is a mistake they will not repeat.

“We watched a bit of her (in action) for the Philippines, but there wasn’t too much footage. She’s a good player, quality, that we know we have to be aware of. If we can dominate the game, then we can eliminate that threat. If we are careless with the ball, then it becomes a problem.

“When you play teams the first team the first time it’s harder as you’re not sure how they will match up against you. This time, especially Western Sydney when we played them not long ago (12 days), it’s different…you have a good understanding of what they want to do…our biggest focus is on ourselves. We want to play our style and keep developing that style.”

Vidosic then touched on his side’s possession-based game which has been hugely successful in their progress – but he now wants them to maintain those percentages, but in more offensive areas.

“I don’t want us to have 70 or 80% of possession around our penalty area, it’s now about increasing the amount of time we play in the opponents’ top third of the pitch…we want to get better now. It’s not easy to want to receive the ball under pressure. I want the team to want the ball and want to play, and I can’t fault the players in that respect this year. How we play is how we train.”

The City boss also revealed that player availability is good for the encounter: “Everyone is available with the exception of Holly (McNamara) and Cote (Rojas). Cote is with the Chile squad for their World Cup play-offs. Holly and Cote should be back and available for the period around 3rd or 4th March.”

Above: Emma Checker talking to the media today Image: Melbourne City.

Emma Checker is determined that Melbourne City have all the structures in place to ensure there will be no repeat of the “off day” that saw them defeated the last time they faced Western Sydney Wanderers.

Speaking to the media today, the Matilda said: “We didn’t show up in the way we wanted. We want to be a team that doesn’t have an off day. Our performance wasn’t to the standard that we set ourselves or the way we trained for the game. That is not our normal baseline and if we show up to our best, we have full confidence in what we will bring. The reality is a good team bounces back from that and we did.”

Checker has recently returned to the City starting line-up after a combination of a knee injury and COVID – a period that she admits finding exceptionally tough.

“It’s been hard. I had to go back to basics, so its been mentally hard (too). I was ready to come back and then I tested positive (for COVID). A positive was that it gave me a chance to get my knee to a greater strength than it would have been otherwise.”

Asked whether it was even more frustrating being a spectator when her side were winning so many matches, the defender replied: “I’d rather be on the sidelines while (we)… are winning. It also showed the great strength in depth we had. We had a few players missing, but others came in (and we kept winning). For me, it was really pleasing the other girls in the team who got opportunities rise to the challenge and prove we have more than 11 who are good enough to play.”

As to the development of her side’s playing style this season, Checker reflected the views of head coach Dario Vidosic stating: “One of our greatest strengths is our ball retention. It’s great to keep the ball, but you also have to score. However, the more you have the ball, the less energy you use.”

If City can maximise ball retention tomorrow, this and their overwhelming desire to right the wrongs of their last performance against the Wanderers, could go to make it a hard 90 minutes for Kat Smith’s New South Wales side.

Wellington Phoenix

by Denise Duffy

Above: Chloe Knott speaks at today’s Wellington Phoenix media conference. Image: Wellington Phoenix.

As the Wellington Phoenix prepare for this weekend’s matchup against Canberra United on Sunday, current captain Chloe Knott and Michaela Foster reflected with the media on where they are as a club and how they are going to get their first win.

“We work so hard in the background to play a style of football and, every training session, we’re getting closer and closer. I think every game, we’re getting closer, I think we have hiccups here and there. But, I still trust what we’re trying to do. And I think at one point it is all gonna come together and we’ll put in a full 90-minute performance. We won’t let in silly goals. And we’ll score some hopefully too soon.” said Knott.

The midfielder has become more comfortable and confident in her role on the team. She enjoys her leadership role, and her mentality has developed during her time as a professional player. “I’m making sure I’m trusting the process, and still sticking to what I’ve been told to do, and trusting what we’re doing. I think that’s been really important for me.”

Above: Michaela Foster speaking to the media ahead of Wellington Phoenix’s home game with Canberra United on Sunday. Image: Wellington Phoenix.

Foster, who originally joined the team as a scholarship player has played every minute of the season. She admits that the team has been challenged in the first couple of months of the season but they are determined to keep pushing and improving.

“It’s been tough, I think seven games now and only getting one point from it. But in saying that, we know that we can get points. And we know that we’ve let something slip. It’s kind of our own fault that we’ve maybe lost some of those points in some of the games. But we have so many great moments in every single game.

“It’s just kind of putting more of those into each game and for 90 minutes. And I think getting that draw (against Western Sydney Wanderers), that first point kind of lifted us up a little bit. And obviously, we want three points. And we know that it’ll come. We just got to kind of keep putting those puzzle pieces back together a little bit.”

In team news, midfielder Betsy Hassett will be returning to the squad after training and playing for the Football Ferns this past Wednesday against the USA.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.