A whole host of international talent takes the Westfield W-League by storm season after season, and 2019/20 has been no different.
With the regular campaign coming to a thrilling finale, we thought we’d use this weekend’s international break to take stock of the best performers who arrived from overseas.
So read on for the best 10 international signings of the campaign so far.
Mallory Weber (Adelaide United)
Adelaide’s failure to turn promising performances into results has been well documented this season.
The fact that United States forward Mallory Weber has still managed to produce such consistently high performances demonstrates what a quality addition to the competition the on-loan Utah Royals player has been.
Weber has starred for Ivan Karlovic’s side throughout the campaign and fittingly was the inspiration for the team’s first win of the year, a thrilling 3-2 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on January 25. She has produced the equal fourth-highest chances created (20), the ninth highest crosses (37) and has taken equal seventh highest shots.
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https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6126481039001
Simone Charley (Canberra United)
Charley’s debut season in the Westfield W-League has delivered on the hype it promised.
The American played alongside Westfield Matilda Hayley Raso at NWSL outfit Portland Thorns, and there are certainly shades of Raso’s explosive trickery in the excitement machine from Boston.
Four goals from Charley – including a cracking run and finish in a 3-2 victory over Newcastle Jets in November – has given Canberra fans plenty of moments to cheer in a campaign that has run out of steam.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6112621662001
Yukari Kinga (Melbourne City)
All the international players within Rado Vidosic’s side have more than pulled their weight this season, and Japanese star Yukari Kinga is certainly no exception.
City’s title assault has been built on the rock-solid foundations of work ethic, discipline and collective steel, but like a ballet dancer directing a battalion of soldiers around the park, it is Kinga’s artistry with the ball at her feet which makes the front runners tick.
Rebekah Stott (Melbourne City)
If Kinga is the irreplaceable cog in the ruthless City team’s engine, the one driving the car is New Zealand stalwart Rebekah Stott.
The centre back has looked near unbeatable for the three-time Champions this season and is the lynchpin of a defence which has conceded a meagre three goals.
Defenders are very rarely recognised for end of season individual rewards – but Stott should be firmly in the running to be crowned the campaign’s best at this stage.
Sam Staab (Western Sydney Wanderers)
The Wanderers shipped goals for fun in 2019/20. Thanks in part to Sam Staab’s arrival and influence, Western Sydney are an infinitely improved defensive force.
Composed, quick and never shy in the challenge, Dean Heffernan’s side will need the United States international to step up again in the season’s final stages if the club are to compete for honours.
Natasha Dowie (Melbourne Victory)
Another excellent return from Victory’s iconic English striker. Dowie has scored six goals and offered two assists in nine matches to put the reigning Premiers in pole position to qualify for the Finals Series.
And as always, the forward has led by example with a charisma that is near unrivalled in the Westfield W-League. Could she fire Jeff Hopkins’ team to more silverware? You wouldn’t bet against it.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6126588763001
Milica Mijatovic (Melbourne City)
Milica Mijatovic has flown somewhat under the radar for City this season amid the club’s star studded cast of international signings.
But the Serbian could very well be the X-factor that gets City over the line in the Finals Series and beyond.
Certainly, the forward looks better and more dangerous with every passing week. Four goals and two assists reflect an excellent return from nine games.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119212347001
Denise O’Sullivan (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Teammate Kristen Hamilton believes it is impossible for Western Sydney to replace the now departed Denise O’Sullivan. Fans of the Red and Black will hope the American’s prognosis is incorrect.
The Irish international was simply outstanding in every minute of her seven-match guest stint for the Red and Black, and very clearly the beating heart of the club’s incredible, record-breaking season from the centre of midfield.
Her performance in the Wanderers 5-0 Sydney derby win will go down in history. Wanderers fans will pray that Heffernan can find a solution.
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Lynn Williams (Western Sydney Wanderers)
In Lynn Williams, the Wanderers have reason to believe they have the firepower needed to outweigh O’Sullivan’s departure with raw firepower.
And despite missing a handful of matches through international duty, United States hotshot Williams has brought plenty of ammunition with her Down Under.
The forward has produced four goals and three assists in five fixtures, has burned countless defenders with her pace, and there is the sense that there could be even better things to come.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117257050001
Kristen Hamilton (Western Sydney Wanderers)
It is not too outlandish to suggest that out of Williams and Kristen Hamilton, the two forwards Western Sydney brought to Australia from North Carolina Courge, the former’s arrival was met with more excitement.
But when the pair head back to the states at the end of the season, Hamilton will do so having enhanced her reputation one hundred fold.
The forward has not yet had an off day for the Red and Black, topping the club’s scoring charts with five, producing two assists and she is only eclipsed by ex-Sydney FC star Caitlin Foord in the chances created column.
