With CONCACAF qualifiers completed, fans won’t have to wait long to fulfill their WoSo craving. The Westfield W-League is set to begin its 11th season this weekend, with a marquee Sydney derby kicking things off in style. The season opener will be featured on ESPN+ for US-based fans.
Here’s everything you need to know to stay “in-the-know” this season:
Adelaide United FC:Fixtures | @AUFCWomen
2017-18 Finish: 9th place
Round 1: Sun., Oct. 28 at Melbourne Victory (1:15 a.m. ET)
Key Additions: Amber Brooks, Michelle Heyman, Gunny Jonsdottir, Veronica Latsko
Key Returners: Grace Abbey, Emma Checker, Emily Condon
Key Departures: Alex Chidiac, Danielle Colaprico, Katie Naughton
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“W-League seasons are hard to predict and full of surprises, therefore it will be crucial for the Reds to gel together and integrate international experience with local talent within the first few rounds to get closer to their goal of an inaugural finals series appearance.” (full preview)
Brisbane Roar FC:Fixtures | @brisbaneroar
2017-18 Finish: 1st place, lost in Semifinal
Round 1: Sat., Oct. 27 vs. Perth Glory (11:30 p.m. ET)
Key Additions: Jenna McCormick, Yuki Nagasato, Chioma Ubogagu
Key Returners: Mackenzie Arnold, Celeste Boureille, Katrina Gorry, Carson Pickett, Clare Polkinghorne
Key Departures: Tameka Butt, Amy Chapman, Emily Gielnik
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“It was the issue last season and will definitely be the issue again this season...will Roar forwards be able to score? It sounds incredibly harsh but in a competition where some of the best scorers in the world play, it's a question that must be asked.” (full preview)
Canberra United:Fixtures | @CanberraUnited
2017-18 Finish: 5th place
Round 1: Sun., Oct. 28 vs. Melbourne City (1 a.m. ET)
Key Additions: Rachel Corsie, Refiloe Jane, Sham Khamis, Denise O’Sullivan
Key Returners: Ellie Carpenter
Key Departures: Michelle Heyman, Haley Kopmeyer, Caitlin Munoz, Toni Pressley, Ashleigh Sykes
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“In many ways, Canberra United itself will be hoping to be the breakthrough side. They have an underdog vibe, and in the absence of a lot of familiar names will be easy to dismiss or underestimate.” (full preview)
Melbourne City FC:Fixtures | @MelbCityWFC
2017-18 Finish: 4th place, Grand Final winner
Round 1: Sun., Oct. 28 at Canberra United (1 a.m. ET)
Key Additions: Tameka Butt, Elise Kellond-Knight, Theresa Nielsen, Jasmyne Spencer
Key Returners: Lauren Barnes, Steph Catley, Jodie Taylor, Lydia Williams,
Key Departures: Larissa Crummer, Jessica Fishlock, Ashley Hatch, Alanna Kennedy
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“While there is a joking air to talk about City’s apparent connection to NWSL side Seattle Reign, the fact of the matter is four of City’s five defensive players spent the Australian off-season playing together in Seattle. The odd one out, Rebekah Stott, moved from Seattle to Sky Blue FC at the beginning of the season. It’s this valuable time together and familiarity with each other that can’t be undersold.” (full preview)
Melbourne Victory:Fixtures | @victorywleague
2017-18 Finish: 7th place
Round 1: Sun., Oct. 28 vs. Adelaide United (1:15 a.m. ET)
Key Additions: Emily Gielnik, Sam Johnson, Christine Nairn, Dani Weatherholt
Key Returners: Laura Alleway, Natasha Dowie, Casey Dumont
Key Departures: Christina Gibbons, Gulcan Koca, Kristen McNabb
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“There haven’t been too many surprises with the roster this preseason. Therein lies the squad’s strength. Coach Jeff Hopkins has steadily rebuilt a core-squad since his 2016 arrival. His ability to develop current club talent and hand-picking new players that fit with the pre-existing team strategy are noticeable.” (full preview)
Newcastle Jets FC:Fixtures | @NewcastleJetsFC
2017-18 Finish: 3rd place, lost in Semifinal
Round 1: Bye
Key Additions: Larissa Crummer, Taylor Smith
Key Returners: Britt Eckerstrom, Gema Simon, Katie Stengel, Emily van Egmond
Key Departures: Arin Gilliland, Tori Huster
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“In the build-up, everyone at the Jets, from the coaching staff down to the players have made no secret of their desire and belief to once again make the finals and even push for a maiden title this campaign.” (full preview)
Perth Glory FC:Fixtures | @PerthGloryFC
2017-18 Finish: 6th place
Round 1: Sat., Oct. 27 at Brisbane Roar (11:30 p.m. ET)
Key Additions: Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Alyssa Mautz, Katie Naughton
Key Returners: Kim Carroll, Rachel Hill, Sam Kerr, Nikki Stanton
Key Departures: Amanda Frisbie, Melissa Maizels, Raquel Rodriguez
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“One significant area that is unchanged is the Glory attack, with the irrepressible Sam Kerr teaming up once again with last season's break out star Rachel Hill. With these two in the team Glory will not be short of goals.” (full preview)
Sydney FC:Fixtures | @SydneyFC
2017-18 Finish: 2nd place, lost in Grand Final
Round 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 at Western Sydney Wanderers (4:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+)
Key Additions: Danielle Colaprico, Sofia Huerta, Alanna Kennedy, Amy Sayer
Key Returners: Aubrey Bledsoe, Lisa De Vanna, Caitlin Foord, Princess Ibini
Key Departures: Leena Khamis, Sham Khamis, Remy Siemsen, Emily Sonnett
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“Sydney FC has maintained their record as the only team to appear in every finals series since the inception of the W-League ten years ago. Season 11 is now shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, and Sydney are looking to improve on last season’s efforts.” (full preview)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC:Fixtures | @wswanderersfc
2017-18 Finish: 8th place
Round 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 vs. Sydney FC (4:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+)
Key Additions: Elizabeth Addo, Caitlin Cooper, Leena Khamis, Remy Siemsen
Key Returners: Lo LaBonta, Jada Whyman
Key Departures: Ellie Brush, Kahlia Hogg, Rosie Sutton
The Women’s Game Quotable:
“The Wanderers have not seriously challenged the W-League heavyweights since entering the league but the addition of multiple players with Matildas experience brings new expectations and also raises a number of questions.” (full preview)
