Strange to name 3 young random Americans. Maybe they are effectively trialling to be in AFC ALW's first squad for the 2027/28 season?
Ruby Nathan in there as well.
Auckland also picked 4 other players (3 Aussies & 1 Japan) from the ALW a few days ago -
Peta Trimis (CCM), Avaani Prakash (CCM), Aimee Medwin (Roar) & Momom Hayashi (Roar).
But yes no young Kiwis from the domestic scene so far. Non from Auckland United?
https://aucklandfc.co.nz/news/a-league-stars-bolster-auckland-fc-womens-invitational-xi-squad/ Auckland FC is bringing in some significant names from the 25/26 Ninja A-League Women for the one-off invitational clash against world-renowned Chelsea FC Women.
Midfielder Claire Winter, goalkeeper Lindsey Harris and forward Nya Baccelli join the Auckland FC squad from the United States for the one-off match at Eden Park on Saturday August 8, 2026.
Five-cap New Zealand international forward Ruby Nathan becomes the ninth Football Fern to be named in the squad by head coach Jenny Bindon, who is a former Ferns goalkeeper.
Nathan, currently with Sydney Olympic, has previously played women’s A-League for Canberra United, and at the top domestic level in New Zealand with Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United.
Former United States age group international Claire Winter has played college football for University of California and enjoyed a professional career with clubs in America, Spain, Puerto Rico, Ireland and Denmark before joining her current club, Lexington. Sporting Club, Kentucky.
Goalkeeper Lindsey Harris has played professionally in the United States, Iceland, Norway, Portugal and Saudi Arabia. Playing for Al Qadsiah from 2023-25, she was named Saudi Women’s Premier League ‘Keeper of the Year in 2024, and won the SAFF Women’s Cup Best Goalkeeper award in both 2024 and 2025.
Forward Nya Bacelli played for Greek first division club Asteras Tripolis in 2025-26, helping them reach the Greek Cup final and finishing third on the regular season ladder.
Football Ferns confirmed to play for the invitational squad are Maddie Iro, Liz Anton, Mackenzie Barry, Abby Erceg, Olivia Chance, Deven Jackson, Maggie Jenkins, Charlotte Lancaster and Ruby Nathan.