As the 2019/20 Westfield W-League season draws to a close this weekend, players have begun dispersing across the globe to continue their football seasons.
Check out the list below to find out where the Canberra United squad will be playing throughout 2020!
NSW NPLW |
Macarthur Rams: The Rams will be chock full of United talent this season as they look to return to finals football in 2020. United fan-favourite Sham Khamis will be Rams’ first-choice keeper in the 2020 NPL NSW Women’s competition after another impressive Westfield W-League season, while sister Leena Khamis will provide valuable experience to a rebuilding Rams’ side. Joining the sisters is pocket-rocket Patty Charalambous and Canberra local Rachael Goldstein, who is looking to take the next step in her fledgling career after making her Westfield W-League debut this season.
Bankstown City FC: Young Matilda goalkeeper Annalee Grove and midfielder Emma Stanbury will join the red and black of the Lions this winter season, who are looking to improve on their tenth-placed finish last season.
Sydney Uni: Defender Taren King will return to defending champions Sydney University Football Club, as they look to go back-to-back in 2020.
Illawarra Stingrays: A talented trio from Canberra United will feature for the Stingrays this year, as Sally James and Lauren Keir swap Belconnen United for the Stingrays for the 2020 winter season. They will be joined by midfield maestro Olivia Price who joins the Stingrays after playing for the Blacktown Spartans last season.
Blacktown Spartans: After her debut season in the Westfield W-League, which also included her first goal in her first start, Ashlie Crofts is back with the Spartans in 2020. The speedy striker finished third in the competition’s Golden Boot standings in 2019 with 16 goals and will be hoping to continue her lethal form.
QLD NPLW |
Mitchelton FC: Rebekah Horsey has headed back to her home state Queensland after her debut Westfield W-League season. After being a part of Lions FC’s Premiership and Championship-winning side in 2019, Horsey has joined Mitchelton SC in 2020. The cool, calm midfielder scored an absolute screamer in her side’s 7-2 thumping of SWQ Thunder last weekend, helping Mitchelton to their first win of the season.
ACT NPLW |
Belconnen United: Capital Football’s 2019 NPLW Player of the Season Jessie Rasschaert will return to the backline of Belconnen United in 2020, aiming to help her side continue their dominance.
Canberra United Academy: Young gun Hayley Taylor-Young will return to Canberra United Academy’s side for the 2020 NPLW season, after gaining vital Westfield W-League experience at just 17-years-old. The teenager claimed the Golden Boot honours in the 2019 NPLW competition after finishing the season as joint top goal scorer. She will look to continue her development under interim coach Scott O’Donell as United look for a new head coach.
NWSL |
Portland Thorns: Canberra United’s 2019/20 Supporters’ Player of the Year Simone Charley has headed back to Portland Thorns in time for her side’s preseason. Charley will be looking to continue her impressive form and make more appearances in the National Women’s Soccer League in 2020.
North Carolina Courage: United’s Player of the Season Kaleigh Kurtz has flown back to her home club in North Carolina, as the Courage look to claim their third straight Championship in 2020.
Houston Dash: Forward Katie Stengel, whose Westfield W-League season was cut short due to injury, has returned to the NWSL but with a different club this season. The Utah Royals traded Stengel and a third-round pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft to the Houston Dash in exchange for their second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 College drafts.
Orlando Pride: Brazilian midfielder Camila has returned to Orlando Pride where she will continue to recover from an injured MCL in her left knee suffered during United training.
SWPL |
Glasgow City: Former Canberra United Academy’s Aoife Colvill signed with Glasgow City for the 2020 Scottish Women’s Premier League, a huge signing in the young forward’s career.
Toppserien |
Kolbotn: Canberra United co-captain Nikola Orgill has flown over to Norway as her Norwegian club Kolbotn begins preparation for their upcoming season.
LSK Kvinner: Fresh off helping the Westfield Matildas qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Karly Roestbakken announced her contract with LSK Kvinner, who won their seventh championship in 2019. This is Rosty’s first signing with an overseas club, which will provide the teenager with valuable experience this season.
Avaldsnes: United’s Norwegian striker Elise Thorsnes headed back home last month to prepare for Norway’s matches in the 2020 Algarve Cup. Thorsnes will play for Avaldsnes in 2020 after moving away from LSK Kvinner this offseason.
