Welcome back to Matildas Abroad, where I analyse the performances of all of our Aussie girls playing overseas.
If you're from Reddit, you'll already know this series well, but I've decided to move the posts from Reddit to here, but I will continue to link the posts via Reddit.
Note that this does not count dual internationals (i.e those eligible for Australia but who represent other national teams). It only includes those who still represent Australia (regardless of whether they have a Matildas cap or not).
Morgan Aquino played a full 90 minutes in goals for DC Power in their 1–0 loss at home to Carolina Ascent. Per Sofascore ratings, Morgan was the second-best player on the pitch for the Power and played just as well between the sticks as the Ascent's goalie. With such form at DC Power and even being rostered as a backup goalkeeper for the Matildas, I truly wonder whether she'll find a bigger club anytime soon (perhaps even in January).
Maddy McComasky played a full 90 minutes for Fort Lauderdale United in their 2–0 away loss to Sporting Jacksonville. Despite the loss, it looks like Maddy played well.
As for the NWSL, the season has concluded though the transfer window will be open in just over two months (opening two days after Australia Day on 28 January). While Mackenzie Arnold looks locked in at Portland Thorns despite some mixed form, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kaitlyn Torpey leaves the Thorns, and I would honestly expect Cortnee Vine to leave North Carolina Courage. And with it seeming unlikely that any other Aussies will join the NWSL, Macca may well be the only Aussie in the league next season.
Strangely, ever since experienced and emerging Matildas alike started flocking to the WSL (which begun in 2020 when Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord joined Arsenal and Sam Kerr joined Chelsea), the NWSL (which has obviously become way less Aussie) has become a bad league for Aussies (and to be fair, the MLS isn't known to be great for Socceroos post-2020 either, though the MLS is obviously way less highly ranked and way less historical in the men's game than the NWSL is in the women's game). While Aussies thrive in England, Germany, Italy and Sweden, they don't seem to be doing too well in the US. Maybe I should write an article about this in my spare time.
While Mary Fowler is still out injured (though is close to completing her ACL recovery), her side Man City secured a 2–0 away win over Nottingham Forest. City finished top of Group A and will advance to the quarter-finals (the round that the three Champions League teams, this season Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United, enter in).
Also in Group A, Clare Wheeler spent the full 90 minutes captaining Everton as they won 3–1 away over Newcastle United, the side Northern Ireland manager and WSL commentator Tanya Oxtoby, who is Australian, has recently become the new manager of (becoming the second Aussie to manage a WSL or WSL2 side this season). The win was not enough for the Toffees, however, as they finished second in Group A and were eliminated, meanwhile Newcastle United finished fourth.
In Group D, it was a tale of two games for the two Aussies in the group. Alanna Kennedy played a full 90 minutes for London City in their 2–0 away win over Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, Emily van Egmond started but was subbed off for Leicester as their rotated side suffered a shock 3–0 away loss to Crystal Palace, who were relegated from the top flight last season.
The final game was of course my team, Tottenham, who defeated Bristol City 1–0 away from home. Clare Hunt played a full 90 minutes for Spurs, while Charli Grant was not in the squad altogether as she is out with a knee injury. Spurs finished top of Group E and will advance to the quarter-finals. COYS!
Charlize Rule's Brighton (managed by Dario Vidošić) and Katrina Gorry's West Ham did not play this week.
Teagan Micah poses with her new club jersey following the announcement of her latest move.
It was an extremely different week for the two Aussies in France. Teagan Micah played a solid full 90 minutes in goals for Lyon as they smashed Strasbourg 5–0 at home. It really does look like Teags truly is fighting for the number one goalie spot at Lyon, having put up multiple great performances between the sticks. Meanwhile, Kyah Simon was not in Dijon's squad for their 1–0 away win over Le Havre.
Anna Margraf was not in the matchday squad for Carl Zeiss Jena in their 3–0 away defeat to Freiburg. I really do wonder if Anna would ever return to the A-League due to the inconsistency of her minutes at Jena (which is probably down to her poor stats).
Jamilla Rankin was not in the matchday squad for Hoffenheim as they suffered a heavy 5–1 away defeat to Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Hayley Raso's Eintracht Frankfurt did not play this week.
Lara Kirkby played a full 90 minutes for Bochum as they suffered an extreme 6–0 loss to Stuttgart. Meanwhile, Alana Murphy started (though was subbed off) and scored the opening goal for Sand as they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt II 2–1 at home to stay top of the 2. Frauen-Bundesliga and in the box seat for promotion. It's the former Melbourne Victory midfielder's first goal for Sand.
Alex Chidiac came on as a sub for FC Como in their 1–0 away loss to Roma. We would've had an Aussie derby with Wini Heatley at centre-back for E Giallorosse, though she has returned to Australia for family reasons and will not play again until the two Matildas games this international break and then will return for Roma's next clash: a home clash between reigning double winners Juventus in what should be a cracker of a game. Roma remain first in the Serie A and look quite good, being six points clear of Juve in second place.
Jess Nash played a full 90 minutes for Sassuolo as they drew 2–2 away to a 10-player Milan, with Le Neroverdi equalising at the last minute (specifically, Daniela Sabatino equalised in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time). Jess played well in defence, taking on the centre-back role. The 21-year-old former A-League defender, who won the grand final with Central Coast Mariners in their fairytale run last season, will be fighting hard for a place in the Asian Cup squad, starting every match for Sassuolo and always being among the best if not the best player on the pitch. I think she absolutely deserves a spot. Meanwhile, also at Sassuolo and also among those fighting for an Asian Cup squad spot, Jacynta Gala played a full 90 minutes and while she didn't look too impressive, she did bag her first goal contribution for the club with an assist.
Chloe Berryhill's Como 1907 won 1–0 over Trastevere and remain four points clear of second placed Cesena at the top of Serie B, putting us in the box seat for seeing a Como Derby next season between FC Como and Como 1907. I am unsure whether she played or not, though it's quite clear that she won't be part of any future Matildas squads.
Emma Ilijoski started for Aberdeen, though I'm not sure if she was subbed off or not, in their 2–1 loss to Montrose. Aberdeen are second last on the ladder with just seven points, though that's seven points clear from Hamilton who are dead last with zero points in the 12 games they've played so far this season. It remains yet to be revealed whether Emma will follow in the footsteps of Hibs' Aussie defender Stacey Papadopoulos and switch nationalities (in Stacey's case to Greece, in Emma's case to North Macedonia), though at such a young age I wouldn't rule out a Matildas cap either even if she isn't a regular.
Milly Boughton was on the bench for Hibernian as the reigning Scottish champions drew 0–0 away in their key clash against top of the table Glasgow City. I'm unsure whether Milly was subbed on or not, for those wondering, but it seems like Hibs are treating the young talent, who played for the academies of West Ham, Spurs and Arsenal, and made multiple senior appearances for Ipswich Town and single senior appearances in the League Cup for West Ham and Spurs.
Kristianstad, which in 2024 was the equal Aussiest club in Europe's Big Six women's leagues (alongside Arsenal and Spurs in the WSL) with three Matildas each, will now be left without any Aussies unless they sign one this transfer window. In 2024, Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne (the most internationally-capped Australian soccer player, male or female, of all time) retired from football which concluded her stint at the club, while this season the remaining two Aussies, striker Remy Siemsen and midfielder Amy Sayer, have departed the club.
It will be interesting to see where the pair go. Amy may be sought by other big clubs as she has proven her talent, though it seems unlikely that Remy will find a club bigger than KDFF after such a poor stint at the club (having scored all three of her goals this season on the final day in her hat-trick against bottom-placed Alingsås, and having scored three of her five goals last season in her final day hat-trick against bottom-placed Trelleborg). Her close friendship with Courtney Nevin, who is in her prime at Malmö, could be a factor in her staying in Scania (the most women's football-heavy region of Sweden), potentially going to Malmö's rivals Rosengård (a historically massive club and the 2024 champions who only just escaped having to play in the relegation playoff) or perhaps linking up with young gun Daniela Galić at Vittsjö, or should she leave Scania maybe link up with Jada Whyman at AIK Stockholm. I also wouldn't rule out a return to the A-League, maybe even to her girlhood club Sydney FC.
Speaking of Daniela, I'm expecting next season to be really big from her. If you go off the games played after her signing for the club from Twente (having come in for more game time after being wasted on the bench at a treble-winning Twente side), the 19-year-old five-cap Matildas midfielder who I believe must be in the Asian Cup squad would've been Vittsjö's best attacking player that season.
After Linköping, once a big club with a lot of history, were relegated for the first time since the club was founded in 2003, it would be reasonable to assume that Polly Doran will move clubs, unless perhaps Linköping can convince her to stay and be apart of their rebuild for promotion next season.
I'm not expecting Courtney, Dani or Jada to move clubs this transfer window as they all are regular starters and in great form for their clubs. However, I wouldn't be surprised if an Aussie player from another league moves to the Damallsvenskan (in fact I would go as far as to say I would expect it, maybe from Charli Grant who even pre-injury is lacking game time at Tottenham, especially with young star Smilla Holmberg looking likely to leave Hammarby for the WSL).
Alana Murphy joins SC Sand, continuing her rise with a move to the German Frauen-Bundesliga system.
This week's Player of the Week award goes to Alana Murphy for her goal against Eintracht Frankfurt's development team in the 2. Bundesliga. It's the first time she's won the award and the first time any second division player has won it. Congrats Alana!!!
If you're from Reddit, you'll already know this series well, but I've decided to move the posts from Reddit to here, but I will continue to link the posts via Reddit.
Note that this does not count dual internationals (i.e those eligible for Australia but who represent other national teams). It only includes those who still represent Australia (regardless of whether they have a Matildas cap or not).
America (NWSL & USL Super League) — Aquino clean sheet
While neither of their teams won, both of the USL Super League's two Aussies played well last weekend.Morgan Aquino played a full 90 minutes in goals for DC Power in their 1–0 loss at home to Carolina Ascent. Per Sofascore ratings, Morgan was the second-best player on the pitch for the Power and played just as well between the sticks as the Ascent's goalie. With such form at DC Power and even being rostered as a backup goalkeeper for the Matildas, I truly wonder whether she'll find a bigger club anytime soon (perhaps even in January).
Maddy McComasky played a full 90 minutes for Fort Lauderdale United in their 2–0 away loss to Sporting Jacksonville. Despite the loss, it looks like Maddy played well.
As for the NWSL, the season has concluded though the transfer window will be open in just over two months (opening two days after Australia Day on 28 January). While Mackenzie Arnold looks locked in at Portland Thorns despite some mixed form, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kaitlyn Torpey leaves the Thorns, and I would honestly expect Cortnee Vine to leave North Carolina Courage. And with it seeming unlikely that any other Aussies will join the NWSL, Macca may well be the only Aussie in the league next season.
Strangely, ever since experienced and emerging Matildas alike started flocking to the WSL (which begun in 2020 when Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord joined Arsenal and Sam Kerr joined Chelsea), the NWSL (which has obviously become way less Aussie) has become a bad league for Aussies (and to be fair, the MLS isn't known to be great for Socceroos post-2020 either, though the MLS is obviously way less highly ranked and way less historical in the men's game than the NWSL is in the women's game). While Aussies thrive in England, Germany, Italy and Sweden, they don't seem to be doing too well in the US. Maybe I should write an article about this in my spare time.
England (League Cup) — Wheeler captains Everton, City and Spurs advance
It was mostly positive for the Aussies in the League Cup this week, with all but two teams with Aussie players having won their matches.While Mary Fowler is still out injured (though is close to completing her ACL recovery), her side Man City secured a 2–0 away win over Nottingham Forest. City finished top of Group A and will advance to the quarter-finals (the round that the three Champions League teams, this season Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United, enter in).
Also in Group A, Clare Wheeler spent the full 90 minutes captaining Everton as they won 3–1 away over Newcastle United, the side Northern Ireland manager and WSL commentator Tanya Oxtoby, who is Australian, has recently become the new manager of (becoming the second Aussie to manage a WSL or WSL2 side this season). The win was not enough for the Toffees, however, as they finished second in Group A and were eliminated, meanwhile Newcastle United finished fourth.
In Group D, it was a tale of two games for the two Aussies in the group. Alanna Kennedy played a full 90 minutes for London City in their 2–0 away win over Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, Emily van Egmond started but was subbed off for Leicester as their rotated side suffered a shock 3–0 away loss to Crystal Palace, who were relegated from the top flight last season.
The final game was of course my team, Tottenham, who defeated Bristol City 1–0 away from home. Clare Hunt played a full 90 minutes for Spurs, while Charli Grant was not in the squad altogether as she is out with a knee injury. Spurs finished top of Group E and will advance to the quarter-finals. COYS!
Charlize Rule's Brighton (managed by Dario Vidošić) and Katrina Gorry's West Ham did not play this week.
France (Première Ligue) — Micah keeps a clean sheet
Teagan Micah poses with her new club jersey following the announcement of her latest move.
Germany (Frauen-Bundesliga & 2. Frauen-Bundesliga)
It wasn't the best week for Aussies in Germany other than Sand's goalscorer Alana Murphy, with Sand being the only team that won this week, though the minutes were very limited for the Aussies anyway.Anna Margraf was not in the matchday squad for Carl Zeiss Jena in their 3–0 away defeat to Freiburg. I really do wonder if Anna would ever return to the A-League due to the inconsistency of her minutes at Jena (which is probably down to her poor stats).
Jamilla Rankin was not in the matchday squad for Hoffenheim as they suffered a heavy 5–1 away defeat to Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Hayley Raso's Eintracht Frankfurt did not play this week.
Lara Kirkby played a full 90 minutes for Bochum as they suffered an extreme 6–0 loss to Stuttgart. Meanwhile, Alana Murphy started (though was subbed off) and scored the opening goal for Sand as they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt II 2–1 at home to stay top of the 2. Frauen-Bundesliga and in the box seat for promotion. It's the former Melbourne Victory midfielder's first goal for Sand.
Italy (Serie A & B Femminile) — Gala assists
It was a pretty bang average week for the Aussies in Italy.Alex Chidiac came on as a sub for FC Como in their 1–0 away loss to Roma. We would've had an Aussie derby with Wini Heatley at centre-back for E Giallorosse, though she has returned to Australia for family reasons and will not play again until the two Matildas games this international break and then will return for Roma's next clash: a home clash between reigning double winners Juventus in what should be a cracker of a game. Roma remain first in the Serie A and look quite good, being six points clear of Juve in second place.
Jess Nash played a full 90 minutes for Sassuolo as they drew 2–2 away to a 10-player Milan, with Le Neroverdi equalising at the last minute (specifically, Daniela Sabatino equalised in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time). Jess played well in defence, taking on the centre-back role. The 21-year-old former A-League defender, who won the grand final with Central Coast Mariners in their fairytale run last season, will be fighting hard for a place in the Asian Cup squad, starting every match for Sassuolo and always being among the best if not the best player on the pitch. I think she absolutely deserves a spot. Meanwhile, also at Sassuolo and also among those fighting for an Asian Cup squad spot, Jacynta Gala played a full 90 minutes and while she didn't look too impressive, she did bag her first goal contribution for the club with an assist.
Chloe Berryhill's Como 1907 won 1–0 over Trastevere and remain four points clear of second placed Cesena at the top of Serie B, putting us in the box seat for seeing a Como Derby next season between FC Como and Como 1907. I am unsure whether she played or not, though it's quite clear that she won't be part of any future Matildas squads.
Scotland (SWPL 1)
It was a pretty average week for the now two Aussies in the SWPL (after Stacey Papadopoulos was called up for Greece).Emma Ilijoski started for Aberdeen, though I'm not sure if she was subbed off or not, in their 2–1 loss to Montrose. Aberdeen are second last on the ladder with just seven points, though that's seven points clear from Hamilton who are dead last with zero points in the 12 games they've played so far this season. It remains yet to be revealed whether Emma will follow in the footsteps of Hibs' Aussie defender Stacey Papadopoulos and switch nationalities (in Stacey's case to Greece, in Emma's case to North Macedonia), though at such a young age I wouldn't rule out a Matildas cap either even if she isn't a regular.
Milly Boughton was on the bench for Hibernian as the reigning Scottish champions drew 0–0 away in their key clash against top of the table Glasgow City. I'm unsure whether Milly was subbed on or not, for those wondering, but it seems like Hibs are treating the young talent, who played for the academies of West Ham, Spurs and Arsenal, and made multiple senior appearances for Ipswich Town and single senior appearances in the League Cup for West Ham and Spurs.
Sweden (Damallsvenskan) — Sayer and Siemsen depart Kristianstad
While the Damallsvenskan is over (as the Baltic-Scandinavian football season, with the exception of Denmark, runs from March to November with a break in July, at least for the Damallsvenskan) and the Svenska Cupen is in a break, I do want to talk about some transfers as we had some transfer news this week, as the transfer window is now open in Sweden.Kristianstad, which in 2024 was the equal Aussiest club in Europe's Big Six women's leagues (alongside Arsenal and Spurs in the WSL) with three Matildas each, will now be left without any Aussies unless they sign one this transfer window. In 2024, Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne (the most internationally-capped Australian soccer player, male or female, of all time) retired from football which concluded her stint at the club, while this season the remaining two Aussies, striker Remy Siemsen and midfielder Amy Sayer, have departed the club.
It will be interesting to see where the pair go. Amy may be sought by other big clubs as she has proven her talent, though it seems unlikely that Remy will find a club bigger than KDFF after such a poor stint at the club (having scored all three of her goals this season on the final day in her hat-trick against bottom-placed Alingsås, and having scored three of her five goals last season in her final day hat-trick against bottom-placed Trelleborg). Her close friendship with Courtney Nevin, who is in her prime at Malmö, could be a factor in her staying in Scania (the most women's football-heavy region of Sweden), potentially going to Malmö's rivals Rosengård (a historically massive club and the 2024 champions who only just escaped having to play in the relegation playoff) or perhaps linking up with young gun Daniela Galić at Vittsjö, or should she leave Scania maybe link up with Jada Whyman at AIK Stockholm. I also wouldn't rule out a return to the A-League, maybe even to her girlhood club Sydney FC.
Speaking of Daniela, I'm expecting next season to be really big from her. If you go off the games played after her signing for the club from Twente (having come in for more game time after being wasted on the bench at a treble-winning Twente side), the 19-year-old five-cap Matildas midfielder who I believe must be in the Asian Cup squad would've been Vittsjö's best attacking player that season.
After Linköping, once a big club with a lot of history, were relegated for the first time since the club was founded in 2003, it would be reasonable to assume that Polly Doran will move clubs, unless perhaps Linköping can convince her to stay and be apart of their rebuild for promotion next season.
I'm not expecting Courtney, Dani or Jada to move clubs this transfer window as they all are regular starters and in great form for their clubs. However, I wouldn't be surprised if an Aussie player from another league moves to the Damallsvenskan (in fact I would go as far as to say I would expect it, maybe from Charli Grant who even pre-injury is lacking game time at Tottenham, especially with young star Smilla Holmberg looking likely to leave Hammarby for the WSL).
Turkey (KSL) — Ibini missing
Turkey's lone Aussie, Princess Ibini, was not in the squad for Beşiktaş' 5–1 away win over Antalyaspor. Beşiktaş sit sixth on the table. Regardless of whether her absence is due to injury, rotation or a fallout with the coach, this was a terrible move for Princess. Even if she's getting more money, the quality of women's football in Turkey is clearly worse than it is here in Australia and it's clear that the team is preferring to play Turkish players over her even if she is a better player than them. She was a starter and a club legend at Sydney FC and won trophies with them whereas she will win nothing in Turkey (as Fenerbahçe, Fomget Ankara and Galatasaray win everything there), and as a Sydney fan we would like her back, or at least away from Beşiktaş.Player of the Week
Alana Murphy joins SC Sand, continuing her rise with a move to the German Frauen-Bundesliga system.
This week's Player of the Week award goes to Alana Murphy for her goal against Eintracht Frankfurt's development team in the 2. Bundesliga. It's the first time she's won the award and the first time any second division player has won it. Congrats Alana!!!
