The first ABC TV match of the season brings together two sides with vastly contrasting levels of experience.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Canberra United
Sunday 14 September 2014
Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Local kick-off: 3pm
** Catch all the action Live* at 3.00pm nationally on ABC1. Or from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Tuesday. (*No live broadcast in WA or Vic this weekend due to ABC’s pre-existing commitments.)
Home side Western Sydney Wanderers have endured a tumultuous off-season, while Canberra United have the luxury of a largely unchanged squad. So too, the visitors have a massive advantage in experience stakes boasting seven internationals, while the Wanderers’ squad is littered with teenagers.
With a strong background in elite youth development, new coach Norm Boardman is a perfect choice for the Wanderers who have been forced to look to Sydney’s burgeoning teenage talent pool to fill their squad. Numerous gradates of the NSW Institute side have made the step up while the likes of Caitlin Cooper and Michelle Carney are among the few with genuine experience. A valuable addition will be American Keelin Winters who recently skippered Seattle Reign to the NWSL premiership.
2012 champions Canberra United boast talent all over the park. So too they will hope to maintain momentum from last season due to their largely unchanged squad. Imports Lori Lindsey, Stephanie Ochs and Kendall Fletcher have all returned, although the latter will miss the openings weeks of the season.
Western Sydney Wanderers squad : Trudy Burke (gk), Sham Khamis (gk), Victoria Guzman, Rachael Soutar, Grace Henry, Caitlin Cooper, Jessica Seaman, Demi Koulizakis, Keelin Winters, Lorena Bugden, Rhianna Pollicina, Tia Gavin, Jordan Baker, Helen Petinos, Michelle Carney
Season ins: Trudy Burke (Canberra United), Rhianna Pollicina (FNSW Institute), Victoria Guzman (FNSW Institute), Chloe O’Brien (FNSW Institute), Tia Gavin (FNSW Institute), Grace Henry (Sydney University), Demi Koulizakis (FNSW Institute), Sham Khamis (Sydney FC), Lorena Bugden (FNSW Institute), Caitlin Jarvie (Northbridge FC, Sydney), Hannah Beard (Newcastle Jets), Keelin Winters (Seattle Reign/USA)
Seasons outs: Mackenzie Arnold (Perth Glory), Shawna Gordon (Umea/Sweden), Camille Levin (Sky Blue FC/USA), Emily van Egmond (Newcastle Jets), Heather Garriock (released), Tori Huster (Newcastle Jets), Jenna Kingsley (released), Servet Uzunlar (Sydney FC),
Catherine Cannuli (retired), Alanna Kennedy (Perth Glory), Teigen Allen (Sydney FC),
Kyah Simon (Sydney FC), Georgia Rowntree (released), Dimi Poulos (released)
Unavailable: Hannah Beard (suspension – 1 week), Linda O’Neill (abroad – 3 weeks)
Canberra United squad : 1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 13. Nicole BEGG (nee SYKES), 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS, 22. Stephanie OCHS
Season ins: Chantel JONES (Perth Glory), Julia DE ANGELIS (ACTAS), Melissa MAIZELS (Melbourne Victory)
Season outs: Trudy BURKE (Western Sydney Wanderers), Georgia YEOMAN-DALE (Newcastle Jets), Lydia WILLIAMS (injury), Sally SHIPARD (retired)
Unavailable: Kendall FLETCHER (overseas), Meg McLAUGHLIN (injured), 10. Grace MAHER (Australia U-17 national team duty), 12. Sally ROJAHN (injured)
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