Western United’s shock Matildas re-signing has revealed that she is fighting to feature in finals as the club plots a sensational inaugural season Liberty A-League title.
Midfielder Chloe Logarzo has confirmed she’s been back running as she aims to feature in the finals for Western, while having an eye firmly fixed on returning to the Matildas for July’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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Logarzo is calling it a “double comeback”: she has been sidelined since January with plantar fasciitis in her left foot, an injury suffered just months after making her long-awaited return from rupturing her right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Logarzo left Western at the conclusion of her loan deal in February, rejoining parent club Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League.
But returning to the United States injured led to her unexpected release; Western threw Logarzo a lifeline, and she made her swift return to to the club on a contract until the end of the 2023-24 A-League Women season.
Logarzo is back in Australia with two clear objectives on the comeback trail: getting fit to play a role in the A-League Women finals and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in July.
Speaking to KEEPUP, Logarzo said that she had just returned to running and vowed to contribute this finals series.
“I’ll definitely play a role, whether that’s going to be on the field or off the field,” Logarzo said.
“I would love for it to be on the field, but I think we definitely have to be smart and realistic about what’s going to happen. I have all the confidence in the girls, and the preparation they’re about to do. I know they’re going to get the job done.
“At the end of the day, I have a big picture I have to think about – and it’s a World Cup.
“Whether it comes down to me playing this coming game or the (next) game, I think it will come down to whether I’m feeling comfortable or not.”
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“My foot is just an overuse injury,” Logarzo explained.
“I have plantar fasciitis in my left foot. It’s probably because I did my right knee, and the excessive overuse of my left foot, or just compensating through parts of my rehab has just led to that.
“Coming back from such a long time off, there’s always a chance you can hurt something else. It’s unfortunate it’s been my left foot. It’s put me out for a little bit. It’s definitely made my coming back story a little bit sad – but nothing like a little bit of adversity.
“Double comeback, right?”
Logarzo says she’s “very grateful” for Western taking her back amongst their ranks on short notice following her Kansas City departure.
The A-League Women finals series concludes with the Grand Final on April 30 – then comes a near-three-month period before the World Cup. Logarzo plans to spend that period training with Western’s male youth side and use The Hangar – Essendon Football Club’s training base shared with Western’s senior men’s side – to ramp up her tournament preparation.
Logarzo says she’s in regular contact with the Matildas’ medical team as she contends to return from injury.
“I’ve been in contact with them every day,” Logarzo says.
“There’s no cut-off date as yet (for the World Cup squad) as (I’m) aware, but my focus is, as clichéd as it sounds, literally one day at a time. I don’t want to overwhelm myself with what the end result is, and not focus on what’s happening right now.
“The stat of me not playing a 90-minute game in almost two years leading into the World Cup is something weighing heavily on me. But I feel I just need to get myself fit and ready, and just give myself the opportunity to be selected in the team. That’s the only thing I’m working on, and working towards.”
Logarzo adds: “I’ve been on the rollercoaster more than most people, unfortunately. I feel like I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t go towards a major tournament with a little bit of adversity.
“The last World Cup, I broke my leg in the Grand Final for Sydney FC. I feel like every major tournament I’ve been in I’ve had this opportunity to really appreciate football, and bring myself back to centre and get myself fit. It always makes me more determined to make the team, it gives me that extra edge.
“I’m really looking forward to it – it’s not ideal, the situation I’m in – but I’m going to take on the challenge and give everything I can leading into the World Cup, and leave nothing unturned.”
HOW DO I WATCH THE FINALS?
The Liberty A-League Finals Series will be streamed exclusively on 10 Play and Paramount+, with the Grand Final also broadcast on 10 Bold.
FINALS FIXTURES
WEEK ONE
Semi Final Two: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory
Date: Saturday, April 15
Venue: Casey Fields
Kick-off: 3 PM (AEST)
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Semi–Final One: Sydney FC vs Western United
Date: Sunday, April 16
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 5:45 PM (AEST)
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WEEK TWO
Preliminary Final: Loser of Semi Final One vs Winner of Semi Final Two
Date: TBC
Venue: TBC
Kick-off: TBC
WEEK THREE
Grand Final: Winner of Semi Final One vs Winner of Preliminary Final
Date: Sunday, April 30
Venue: CommBank Stadium
Kick-off: 4 PM (AEST)
