Canberra United Preview
A club with a proud W-League pedigree, Canberra United will be aiming to improve on their previous campaign and push for finals in this, their third year under the guidance of coach and Matildas legend Heather Garriock.
Season 2018-19 was one of potential realised to a degree but not sustained. Playing a formation that maximised the wide attacking and defensive abilities of Karly Roestbakken and Ellie Carpenter, and a strong defensive/midfield spine led by outstanding international recruits Rachel Corsie, Refiloe Jane and Denise O’Sullivan, Canberra started well but faded as the season wore on. Poor away form was partially responsible for the fade-out, but the team’s fortunes also coincided somewhat with the end of O’Sullivan’s guest tenure in December. A team that was tracking well during the early rounds, Canberra United disappointingly finished the season in 8th position.
Ins and Outs
Ins:
Elise Thorsnes (LSK Kvinner, Norway, Forward & Defender)
Annalee Grove (Brisbane Roar/Young Matildas, Goalkeeper)
Hayley Taylor-Young (Canberra United Academy A.C.T. NPLW, Forward)
Jessie Rasschaert (Belconnen United A.C.T. NPLW, Defender)
Leena Khamis (Western Sydney Wanderers, Forward & Midfielder)
Katie Stengel (Utah Royals, USA & Newcastle Jets, Forward)
Simone Charley (Portland Thorns, USA, Forward)
Patricia Charalambous (Apollon Ladies, Cyprus, Midfield/Utility)
Emma Stanbury (North West Sydney Koalas, NSW NPLW, Midfielder)
Rebekah Horsey (Lions, Queensland NPLW, Midfielder)
Ashlie Crofts (Blacktown Spartans, NSW NPLW, Forward)
Camila (Orlando Pride, USA, Defender/Midfielder)
Rachael Goldstein (Canberra FC A.C.T. NPLW, Forward)
Kayleigh Kurtz (North Carolina Courage, USA, Defender)
Sally James (Belconnen United A.C.T. NPLW, Goalkeeper)
Assistant Coach – Scott O’Donell (Capital Football Technical Director, with two previous stints as Cambodian National team coach)
Outs:
Melissa Maizels (Melbourne Victory)
Natasha Prior (unsigned/unannounced)
Rachel Corsie (Utah Royals, USA)
Refiloe Jane (AC Milan, Italy)
Rhoda Mulaudzi (Apollon Ladies, Cyprus)
Denise O’Sullivan (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Meaghan McElligott (unsigned/unannounced)
Rosie Galea (unsigned/unannounced)
Nickoletta Flannery (Newcastle Jets)
Madelyn Whittall (unsigned/unannounced)
Ellie Carpenter (Melbourne City)
Paige Nielsen (Washington Spirit, USA)
MarĂa JosĂ© Rojas (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic)
Assistant Coach – Ashleigh Sykes (taking a break from football)
Staying:
Sham Khamis
Nikola Orgill
Karly Roestbakken
Lauren Keir
Taren King
Olivia Price
Laura Hughes
Aoife Colvill
As can be seen, none of the internationals from season 2018-19 have returned, and there has once again been a high amount of turnover, with only eight players (or one third of the squad) remaining from the previous campaign. As stated by coach Heather Garriock, recruitment has emphasised player character and desire to play for her side. The team’s attacking stocks have certainly been boosted as a priority area.
https://twitter.com/CanberraUnited/status/1192523789495455744
On whether her experience covering the Women’s World Cup for Optus Sport helped her in looking across the world stage and in making international recruitment choices, coach Garriock agreed: “… most definitely; while it was difficult to recruit players at the World Cup itself unless they played in the NWSL, it gave me an idea of strengths and weaknesses, and allowed me to personally profile players. That was a reason why we recruited Camila, a Brazilian, so technical and such an exciting player, I could watch her all day. And then Katie Stengel who can hold the ball up and I’m sure will be outstanding for us, and Simone who has been part of the Under 23’s US national team, she gives us speed as well”.
While much attention will be drawn to the new international players, Canberra United will again draw upon the local scene, with Karly Roestbakken, Laura Hughes, and Lauren Keir returning. Belconnen team mates Jessie Rasschaert and Sally James also come into the fold alongside Canberra United Academy’s Hayley Taylor-Young, and Canberra FC’s Rachael Goldstein. Garriock manages the pathway to the W-League in Canberra via her work with the Canberra United Academy, as well as the Canberra United Winter programme which aims to prepare players for the standard in the W-League. She was enthusiastic about the way Canberra based players approached the recent trials: “I had a lot of players coming into trial, and I watched a lot of NSW NPL this season, and to be honest, our locals have taken their opportunities come trial time. I’m excited about our locals and I really feel in terms of depth, our local players have challenged some of the best domestic players, and I’m really proud that we’ve got a lot from Canberra”.
Strengths
The new roster contains an abundance of riches in the attacking third, with three internationals in the form of Katie Stengel, guest player Elise Thorsnes, and the electric Simone Charley. This trio complements local speedsters Hayley Taylor-Young and Rachael Goldstein, NSW NPLW revelation Ashlie Crofts, and veteran Leena Khamis. Competition for spots will be fierce, with versatility perhaps an asset, as Garriock has the option to employ Thorsnes in defence (where she often plays in Norway) and/or Khamis in a holding attacking midfield role.
On the focus on recruitment in the attacking third, Garriock told Beyond 90 that “… it was important to build upon last season, it’s all well and good to play pretty football but if you can’t score you won’t be up there on the table. It was important to recruit a good forward line; the players I have recruited are all very different and hopefully they complement each other. We’ve been working really hard on combining up front, and I think there’ll be some exciting new fan favourites”.
Speed down the flanks abounded the last two seasons with Karly Roestbakken and Ellie Carpenter providing twin wide overlapping threats. With Brazilian Camila coming into the team and adding her own brand of creativity out wide, there is no reason why the wide channels cannot once again be fruitful for Canberra United in season 12 of the W-League.
The fortress that is McKellar Park, and the enthusiastic home crowd, are renowned for lifting the team. Despite finishing in 8th position last season, Canberra United did not lose a single home game.
Challenges
With turnover of two-thirds of the squad and a limited lead-in time to the season, the team will need to display cohesion quickly to ensure they maximise their chances of early home victories, in the hope that their momentum can this time be sustained.
Concerns coming out of last season were away form, and lack of punch in the final third. This season, fans will want to see the away form issue addressed, with plenty of soul-searching no doubt occurring over the off-season by the coaching team to uncover the root causes of this issue.
Canberra United fans will be looking with interest to central midfield where internationals Denise O’Sullivan (for part of the season) and Refiloe Jane previously held sway. International signings this season have concentrated on forwards and defenders, so the likes of Olivia Price, Laura Hughes, Emma Stanbury and Bek Horsey in the middle of the park will be important to the fortunes of the team this season. It speaks volumes of Garriock’s confidence in this group of NPLW based players that she has placed her trust in them to steer the team around, and to feed the prodigiously talented forward line.
“Getting the balance right is the most important thing”, according to Garriock. “In terms of balance, character and culture are key, so it’s just trying to get those ingredients correct. We’re going to have a really solid team this season and I’m excited for the games to start next weekend against Perth”.
https://twitter.com/CanberraUnited/status/1191506739935371264
Four key players
Goalkeeper – Sham Khamis
Khamis was voted Player’s Player last season for her unfailing bravery and commitment to the Canberra United cause, managing to maintain a starting spot throughout the season despite the presence in the squad of fellow keeper Melissa Maizels. Her efforts allowed her team to stay in the hunt in several games last season, and her heroics will be needed here again in season 12 if they are to be a chance of attaining their top 4 ambitions.
Defence – Kayleigh Kurtz
Kurtz’s confidence will be high, having just secured the NWSL championship with NC Courage, playing nine games of the season. Filling Rachel Corsie‘s centre back shoes from last season, Canberra United are counting on Kurtz to be the defensive rock on which to build their foundations this season. Her communication abilities and leadership at the back alongside those of fellow defender and co-captain Nikola Orgill will be vital to her team’s success.
Midfield (or Defence) – Karly Roestbakken
What a year for Roestbakken, captaining the Young Matildas and making her senior Matildas debut at the World Cup in France. The team’s sole Matilda and recently crowned PFA Young Women’s Player of the Year, co-captain Roestbakken has been the source of much Canberra United pride the last few seasons. Her speed, overlapping, and defensive qualities will again inspire her team mates in 2019 and light up the W-League, regardless of whether she plays in defence or midfield.
Striker – Katie Stengel
Stengel’s qualities as a striker are well known to Australian audiences after previous stints with Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers. Stengel is also plying her trade with NWSL side Utah Royals, and has previously played with Bayern Munich, Boston Breakers, and Washington Spirit.
With hallmarks of control, strength, and an eye for goal, Stengel looks to be in imperious form at present and will likely lead the attacking line. Canberra United fans will be hoping she forms a fearsome striker partnership with the other attacking talents available to coach Garriock, whether in the form of speedy American Simone Charley, the powerful Norwegian Elise Thorsnes, the experienced Leena Khamis, or NPLW talents Ashlie Crofts, Hayley Taylor-Young and Rachael Goldstein, all of whom have speed to burn.
One to watch
Bek Horsey will be unfamiliar to many Canberra United fans, having most recently plied her trade with the table-topping and grand final winning Queensland Lions NPLW football team. Known for her midfield work ethic, Horsey’s efforts alongside Olivia Price (who has a similar work ethic) in the centre of the park will be worthy of attention to fans, and will be key to the team’s success this season.
Prediction
In a competition with some incredibly strong squads, realising Canberra United’s top four ambitions will be a stern challenge. Opening the season with two home games gives them every chance to get off on the right footing, but maintaining momentum throughout the season will be vital if they are to be any chance of attaining their objective.
With their strong recruitment this season in the attacking third, if Canberra United can be cohesive from the get-go and the team is able to effectively supply their attacking weapons, then they can potentially be the surprise packets of the competition.
Keep up to date with the full squad list here.
