Melbourne Victory’s Westfield W-League squad has been bolstered on the eve of the 2017/18 season with the addition of American Kristen McNabb.
Central defender McNabb, who will be available for Victory’s season opener against Canberra United on Saturday, joins the club on a season-long loan from NWSL club Seattle Reign.
“She gives us that natural balance alongside Laura [Westfield Matildas defender Laura Alleway], being left-sided,” Victory W-League coach Jeff Hopkins said.
“In talking to Laura Harvey, the Seattle Reign coach, she believes Kristen is one of the best one v one defenders they have at the club.
“Kristen’s technically very good, and she’s comfortable on the ball which will help us when we build up from the back.”
McNabb, who has represented the US at Under-18 and Under-23 level, played 18 games for Seattle in the 2017 NWSL season.
“For a young player, she reads the play very well,” Hopkins added.
“She plays like a veteran, and that’s one of the most important things you can ask for from a central defender.”
Melbourne Victory Westfield W-League squad:
Laura Alleway, Melina Ayres, Mindy Barbieri, Angela Beard, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Casey Dumont (GK), Natasha Dowie, Tiffany Eliadis, Christina Gibbons, Alexandra Gummer, Gulcan Koca, Whitney Knight, Annabel Martin, Kristen McNabb, Bethany Mason-Jones (GK), Lia Privitelli, Laura Spiranovic
