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2024/25 Women's Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

277 replies · 40,965 views

almost 2 years ago

Niche Cache seems to think she will be back in the ALW??
But who knows the Olympics will be shop window, if she is picked and plays.

Most of Michaela Foster’s old Northern Rovers team, including coach Ben Bate, are now at AU so this makes sense as a keep-busy gig during the ALW offseason and leading into the Olympics https://t.co/YF9BGHatjZ
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) June 21, 2024

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almost 2 years ago

interesting, I wonder if she'll re-sign when the a-league kicks off again??

Queenslander 3x a year.

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almost 2 years ago

YoungHeartHM

Former?
As in she's not coming back former?

✍️ HUGE NEWS! @NZ_Football Fern and former @WgtnPhoenixFC star Michaela Foster has signed with Auckland United FC.

Welcome Michaela, we can't wait to see you out on the pitch in AUFC colours very soon!#AucklandUnitedFC 🤝#UnitedTogether ⚫️⚪https://t.co/45EHp4e7yB
— Auckland United F.C. (@Auckland_United) June 21, 2024

just assuming she is with them in the off-season for ALW - aren't all the players only ever signed to 1 year deals to allow this?

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almost 2 years ago

coochiee

Niche Cache seems to think she will be back in the ALW??
But who knows the Olympics will be shop window, if she is picked and plays.

Most of Michaela Foster’s old Northern Rovers team, including coach Ben Bate, are now at AU so this makes sense as a keep-busy gig during the ALW offseason and leading into the Olympics https://t.co/YF9BGHatjZ
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) June 21, 2024

Niche Cache unaware whom she got engaged to which may also explain attraction of playing at AU

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

I'd guess she is looking to leave for overseas, post Olympics.

Maybe that new 2nd tier USA comp, like a few others. She went to college in the US.
Or something like the English Championship (2nd tier), where a few Ferns have ended up. She's good enough for that level.

She's now 25, the ALW pays peanuts, and to be a regular starting Fern likely needs to go to a better quality league to continue her development.

Signing for an amateur outfit like Auckland United allows her to sign an overseas pro deal without a transfer fee??

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almost 2 years ago

The ALW off season is longer than the in season. You would hope the players play some competitive football in the off season. Good to see players turning out for local clubs, that's what we want to see at National league level, the best available plyers out there. I wouldn't be reading too much into availability. ALW still 4 or 5 odd months away from starting again.

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

Maybe but again the ALW wages are a pittance (which won't change while the media rights deal is so bad), and new higher paying overseas leagues are popping up like this one Stateside. Then as the Cortnee Vines, Kate Taylors, Grace Wisnewskis leave the ALW, plus the American visa players that come in are lower quality, the standard drops - so that it will get to the stage where it's seen you need to be playing elsewhere to be a Ferns regular.

With Vine gone, apart from 35 yr old Michelle Heyman are there any Matildas playing in the ALW?

And at 25, Foster is at an age like a lot of Kiwis where going overseas is an attraction. I maybe wrong, guess we will find out post Olympics.

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

Playing elsewhere to be a Ferns regular. Sure, But not sure about this USL yet. If one of your goals is to make the Ferns squad and go to world cups etc. Then going to the USL could be a bit risky. If you end up in a middling or bottom of the league team that doesn't score much, even if your one of the better players in your team your exposure is going to be limited compared to playing for the Nix in the same scenario your exposure is much higher particularly to the public and related media hype.
Comparable to mens USL players don't get a look into the AW's. But A league players do...... Except if your first name is Storm......
Still more professional pathways for women has only gotto be a good thing. Stepping stones and all that.

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

There seems to be some confusion about the USL comps. Davidson & Wizneski have signed with USL Superleague clubs. Fully pro and the comp will rival NWSL, but played at diff time of the year - Aug to Dec. The second-tier, semi-pro USL W league will continue as usual, but act as feeder to the Superleague.

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

This new USL Superleague will run Fall/Autumn-Summer (starting in August this year), with a winter break. Same as say the Danish league.

So different to the same calendar year NWSL which runs Summer-Fall/Autumn.

Probably not far to compare the USL Mens & USL Womens leagues. The USL Championship Men has 24 teams in total over 2 conferences. Another 12 teams in the Men USL League One.

This USL Womens Super League will only have 8 teams, and looking at the number of experienced ALW players they are signing, should be fairly strong if yes a level below the NWSL. But certainly it looks like it might be stronger than the ALW. I mean the USA has a much larger & deeper talent pool than Australia & NZ.

Google tells me there are 1.7M female players registered with US Soccer. I'm guessing it's big well resourced sport at many US Colleges and Universities.

https://impetusfootball.org/2024/06/20/the-uslsuper-league-is-an-immediate-challenge-for-the-a-league-women/

With a minimum wage reported to be more than double what it is in the A-League Women, the USL Super League is an opportunity for players that Australia needs to quickly catch up to.

There is about to be shift in Australian domestic football. The last month has seen Sarah Clark and Cannon Clough of Canberra United, Hannah Keane (Western United), Hailey Davidson (Wellington), Vicky Bruce (Western Sydney), Izzy Nino (Newcastle Jets) and Mia Corbin (Brisbane Roar) move to the USL Super League.

So far the majority of the players swept away to the newly launched competition have been Americans in our top Australian league, but the additions of Wellington’s Grace Wisnewski and former NPLW Vic striker Delaney Lindahl should signal some alarm bells in the A-League Women.

For Australians unfamiliar with the USL, it forms the second top tier professional women’s league under the control of US Soccer. It is a professional league, containing eight teams and although they do not have the profile and resources of an NWSL club, clubs are reported to have an estimated wage budget of $750,000 AUD as a minimum if the expectation is to be competitive. More recent estimates and transfer activity indicate that many clubs are preparing to pay more than that.

By comparison, the A-League women’s salary cap floor currently sits at $500,000. It is an impressive 20% increase on 2022/23, but crucially it has a cap of $600,000. Things are moving in a positive direction, just not quickly enough to keep pace with the competition.

The USL Super League is quickly being seen as a destination for experienced players in itself, not as a stepping stone to the NWSL. The absence of a draft system makes it particularly attractive as a point of difference from the existing, higher profile league.

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almost 2 years ago

Would the Nix be interested in Paige Satchell?

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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almost 2 years ago

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Would the Nix be interested in Paige Satchell?

Of the current or ex FF's that are free agents that have been playing in Europe.
Would prefer Daisy Cleverley, Jackie Hand or Ally Green,

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almost 2 years ago

I personally can’t see them coming to the A League, especially straight after the Olympics

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almost 2 years ago

I'd say Satchell is the most likely to struggle to find another gig in Europe, and consider a return to the ALW. There's a reason she's now an ex Fern, and the other 3 above are more current Ferns.

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

From Nix on Twitter:

Speckmaier seeks new challenge

The Wellington Phoenix have unfortunately been unable to convince Mariana Speckmaier to return to the capital for the 2024-25 Liberty A-League

The Venezuela international has knocked back the club’s contract offers and informed the Phoenix she plans to sign elsewhere

Speckmaier leaves the Nix as the women’s team’s all-time leading goal scorer despite playing just one A-League season

"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington

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almost 2 years ago

Wish her all the best. But huuuge loss for the team.

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.

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almost 2 years ago

Dougie Rydal

Big loss for the team. I was hopeful she would stick around but it seems the money in the new USL is a lot better than here (I'm speculating as to that's where shes going).

Can't blame her for seeking more money/opportunities and I hope she is successful wherever she ends up

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almost 2 years ago

Dougie Rydal

Simply can't compete on wages as a league. We'll definitely struggle to attract and retain the best players at this rate, with a lot more one season wonders to come I'd say - Have a stormer of a season >> Head off shore and double/triple your wages.

It's a no brainer really.

Good luck to Mariana though, wherever she may end up. 👏

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almost 2 years ago

Welcome, Mariana! 👋🇻🇪

We're delighted to announce the signing of Venezuelan international, Mariana Speckmaier, on a two-year deal that will see her remain at City until at least the conclusion of the 2025/26 A-League Women’s season.
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) July 3, 2024

No, I take back what I just said.

Booooo!

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almost 2 years ago

Well they have had Wilkinson leave. Even a high salary in the ALW is nothing to the City Group.

De Bruyne is paid $NZD834,000 per week.

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almost 2 years ago

So sad... City fans won't love her like we do!

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almost 2 years ago

Do we still have a squad?

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almost 2 years ago

I had resigned myself to the fact she would go, but going to another ALW team is pretty gutting 😩

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MoRa+1

almost 2 years ago

I'm starting to feel really depressed about this season now
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350330399/top-goalscorer-mariana-speckmaier-leave-wellington-phoenix

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almost 2 years ago

Agree, hard to argue with the imports, they'll go where the $$$'s are or lifestyle, but concerning many of the Kiwi's aren't jumping back onboard, maybe there was something in what Chloe Knott was hinting about.

"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington

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almost 2 years ago

The Main Train is back! 🚂

Emma Main re-signs with the Phoenix Women on a one-year deal! 🤩

Welcome back Emma! 🙌#COYN! 🐦‍🔥

💛🖤 | https://t.co/SAVRs4aeWc pic.twitter.com/vL1kUz4FOb
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 3, 2024

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

Dougie Rydal

Yeah but the likes Wisnewski & Taylor are clearly looking to go overseas. For the experience plus pay increase. With today's news of the paltry $500K APL disbursement, unfortunately there will be no room to give the Nix players a pay rise.

The Nix won't be the only ALW team scratching around potentially for players. And at least they have a good Academy to promote from within. Also unlikely I'd imagine we'd see 5 imports this season.

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

YoungHeartHM

Welcome, Mariana! 👋🇻🇪

We're delighted to announce the signing of Venezuelan international, Mariana Speckmaier, on a two-year deal that will see her remain at City until at least the conclusion of the 2025/26 A-League Women’s season.
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) July 3, 2024

No, I take back what I just said.

Booooo!

Yeah I was disappointed that she left but felt I could understand if she was going to another higher paying league, or a league closer to home etc.

Super gutted to see her go to another team in the A League.

It's pretty much going to be a full rebuild at this stage. I had been hoping we could keep at least 2 or 3 core players (such as Speckmaier) to retain some continuity and rebuild around.

I wonder if the Nix weren't willing to do a 2 year deal like City and that's what did it?

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almost 2 years ago

Speckmaier was a good player and a good fit. But not that good, and not irreplaceable.

Main is a very worthy player, who could still improve and do a bigger role than she has to date. IMHO.

I don't really want Wilkinson,but I could see her playing for us next year. We defo need some goalscorers from somewhere.

Kelli Brown seemed to fall from favour, rightly or wrongly, so i dont think she will be back.

I think we have moved beyond Satchell.

Unsure what Longos doing? If we have her and Whinham, then we have something to build around for sure.

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

The reduction in APL money is going to affect ALW teams as well as the men's teams. I can see Temple bringing in more young players. There's talent around in NZ, its about identifying who has the ability to step up in a pro environment.
There must also be a few finishing off US college soccer. Collins, Jensen, Jenkins. Probably not quite before ALW starts though.
It will be important to have a few senior players around. So really hope Longo signs on again. I don't think Wilkinson will be a good fit.

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ElMo+1

almost 2 years ago

Also don’t think Wilkinson would be a good fit, plus I imagine she’s eying up somewhere that pays better like the new US comp. Hannah Blake (released by Adelaide??) a better bet

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MoRa

almost 2 years ago

Longo off to the Olympics as reserve, so shes fit.
I agree, lets hope she stays at the Phoenix

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maMo+3

almost 2 years ago

Have I missed an announcement about Isabelle Cox? I hope we can van hold onto her but she may follow Mariana to Sharkty.

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almost 2 years ago

YoungHeartHM

Welcome, Mariana! 👋🇻🇪

We're delighted to announce the signing of Venezuelan international, Mariana Speckmaier, on a two-year deal that will see her remain at City until at least the conclusion of the 2025/26 A-League Women’s season.
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) July 3, 2024

No, I take back what I just said.

Booooo!

Boooooooo!

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

Carolina Vilão has just started following the Nix, the A league and Paul Temple. She is a goal keeper for Benfica in Portugal and they recently announced she is leaving the team. She looks a good signing if we are losing Riley or Bre also

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brEl

almost 2 years ago

Chiefytheman

Will replace Rylee - we aren't going to have two import keepers on the books!

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almost 2 years ago

Rylee and Bri are gone.

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almost 2 years ago

Chiefytheman

Instagram proves correct yet again.

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almost 2 years ago

Always expected Foster to go.

Temple not happy with Bri as the 1 and Bri not happy as the 2 maybe? Either way the keeper just announced looks a solid replacement.

Valley FC til I die?

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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History

https://aleagues.com.au/news/rylee-foster-brianna-edwards-goalkeepers-depart-wellington-phoenix-aleague-women-latest-news/

Just putting an official article about Rylee and Bri leaving in here

I'm not surprised about either departure. Especially as Bri returned to Aus before the end of last season

Edit: While I'm not surprised they are both leaving, I would've loved to be able to keep one of them

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