Photo: Canberra United

Vicki Linton‘s first campaign in charge of Canberra United was a success, with fourth place and an appearance in the 2020-21 semis ending a three year finals drought. Stunning strikes by Grace Maher, Laura Hughes, Nicki Flannery, Bianca Galic and Julie Dolan medallist Michelle Heyman live long in the memory and arguably provide the best highlights reel of any team from last season.

Retaining Linton and a core of players from Season 13, the team from the nation’s capital will once again be based at Viking Park, where they were unbeaten in 2020-21.

Photo from https://www.coachinglife.com.au/article/vicki-linton-interview/

Ins and Outs

Of the seventeen players that have been announced, just seven players remain from Season 13, with six of those seven having strong ties to the club and the region. What this means for the team in green is that there are once again many new faces in the squad, alongside a recognisable core who will be better for having already played a season together (or more).

The return of Ashleigh Sykes to the A-League Women’s competition, together with the signing of two former Canberra United Academy players (Alexia Karrys-Stahl and Mikayla Vidmar) ensures that connections to the Canberra region and the team’s fanbase remain as strong as ever. Fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of Julie Dolan medallists Heyman and Sykes resuming their attacking partnership, and they will also be ably supported by a exciting cast of attacking talent.

While not the only factor, it’s perhaps a sign of the COVID times that of all the arrivals to last season’s squad, only one without prior ties to Canberra itself – goalkeeper Keeley Richards – has remained with the team for Season 14. It’s understandable that interstate based players may have wanted to be closer to their families, presenting Linton with a series of challenges when determining the squad for this season.

Linton has made it clear that culture and “right fit for the club” is uppermost in her mind. That culture and willingness to fight for each other memorably saw the team mount several late comebacks in 2020-21, and this sensibility also informs current squad choices. 

Notably, two NWSL imports from Orlando Pride – Ally Haran and Chelsee Washington – take their place in the squad this season.

Ins:

Bethany Mason-Jones (Alamein United FC, Goalkeeper)
Mikayla Vidmar (Adelaide City, Defender)
Ally Haran (Orlando Pride, Defender)
Alexia Karrys-Stahl (Sydney Olympic, Defender/Midfielder)
Margot Robinne (Melbourne City, Midfielder)
Chelsee Washington (Orlando Pride, Midfielder/Forward)
Chloe Middleton (Illawarra Stingrays, Midfielder/Forward)
Holly Caspers (Sydney University, Forward)
Allira Toby (Sydney FC, Forward)
Ashleigh Sykes (Canberra Olympic, Forward)

Outs:

Ashlie Crofts (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Nicki Flannery (injured)
Kendall Fletcher (North Carolina Courage)
Isabella Foletta (Lazio)
Bianca Galic (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Rachael Goldstein (not retained)
Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Sally James (Melbourne City)
Demi Koulizakis (Perth Glory)
Jessika Nash (Sydney FC)
Jessie Rasschaert (Brisbane Roar)
Paige Satchell (Sydney FC)

Staying:

Keeley Richards (Goalkeeper)
Emma Ilijoski (Defender)
Lauren Keir (Defender)
Laura Hughes (Midfielder)
Grace Maher (Midfielder)
Hayley Taylor-Young (Forward)
Michelle Heyman (Forward)

Strengths

Mobility – this is a sharp and fit looking group, so Linton is likely to play to those strengths by employing a high tempo game. Canberra have a young squad that will be guided by those with the most experience, namely Heyman, Sykes, Maher, Hughes and Robinne, the latter of whom will help to provide welcome leadership depth both on and off the field. 

Attacking smarts – Heyman alone is a difficult enough proposition for opposition defences to mark, thanks to her movement between the lines and predilection for smart diagonal runs. In her last two seasons with Canberra Olympic, Sykes has also shown a willingness to roam and out-think defenders with ever-changing positional adjustments and incisive runs.

Given Sykes’ and Heyman’s knowledge of each other’s playing styles, plus the prospect of speedy wide players (such as Caspers, Taylor-Young and Washington) feeding them, the “your defence is terrified” chant comes to mind. In addition to their combined experience there is of course the quality of their shooting, where we can expect precision and thoughtfulness in spades.

Allira Toby also gives the team something different in attack, and if she can reach the form that saw her win Brisbane Roar’s Golden Boot award two years back, she will also be a handful for defenders.

Canberra core cohesion – the historical Canberra United playing core is still undeniably the bedrock around which this team is built, even if it is slightly down in numbers while Nicki Flannery recovers from an ACL injury. However, the Sydney University connections that helped to bind the wider group last season will not be nearly as pronounced this time around.

With Lauren Keir and Emma Ilijoski in defence, Maher and Hughes commanding central midfield (commentator Andy Harper remarked last season “If there’s a better midfield pairing in the W-League right now, I’m yet to see it”), plus Heyman, Taylor-Young and Sykes in attack, the connection to Canberrans will be as strong as ever in Season 14. The addition of returning ex-Canberra United Academy players Mikayla Vidmar and Alexia Karrys-Stahl only strengthens this connection, which brings us to…    

A parochial Viking Park – one of the toughest venues for visiting teams, Viking Park proved last year that it is a sister venue in spirit to beloved McKellar Park. The crowd is just as close to the action and the fervour of the local fans never fails to lift the team when they most need it.

Challenges

Depth – in a list of seventeen players, the Canberra United squads page shows just three midfielders and five defenders, while seven attackers are displayed. Appearances may deceive, however. Middleton (listed as an attacker) has been known to play in midfield, while Washington (also listed as an attacker) stated in her press conference that Linton was exploring the idea of her playing as a six (holding defensive midfielder). For her part, Karrys-Stahl – shown as a defender – played as a midfielder this year with Sydney Olympic.

It is perhaps at centre back where the eyes are drawn most. The significant losses of Fletcher and Nash have been counterbalanced by the arrival of just one renowned central defender, Haran from Orlando Pride. Keir is also a central defensive option, having played there for most of her career, but in Season 13 was mostly used wide and/or as a player marker.

It will be fascinating to see how Linton sets the defence up, and what the backup plan is if Haran and/or Keir become unavailable.

 
It would not be a surprise if Holly Caspers and either Washington, Karrys-Stahl, Vidmar or Taylor-Young were deployed in the roles so ably fulfilled by Flannery and Satchell last season i.e. as lightning-fast wide midfielders with a brief to attack down the wings.

Away form – while not losing a home game last season, the team in green was inconsistent on their travels, with a heavy 4-0 loss to Sydney FC and a 2-1 loss to Adelaide United in successive games coming to mind.

Linton has stated publicly that the team will be aiming for a higher level of away game consistency in Season 14. This has proved to be a challenge for most Canberra United sides over the last four or five years.

Key players

Defence

As mentioned above, Ally Haran is likely earmarked for a vital central defensive role and will shoulder much responsibility there. Her success in the role will inarguably prove vital to the team’s prospects. Linton will also be looking to Lauren Keir and Emma Ilijoski after impressive and consistent campaigns in 2020-21.

Midfield

Laura Hughes and Grace Maher comprise the Canberra United central midfield hub and are vitally important to the success of the team. Hughes is sometimes characterised as a workhorse, while Maher has often been praised for her vision and touch. Season 13 provided clear evidence that their strengths are rubbing off on each other, with Maher just as willing to scrap for possession and Hughes maturing as a playmaker with an eye for goal in her own right. Seeing the evolution of both players in this regard was nothing less than delightful in Season 13.

Attack

The reigning Julie Dolan medallist would be a key player for any team in the competition. One thing Michelle Heyman has learnt in her later years is how to play with her back to goal and bring others into the game. Fans can expect Heyman to not only score but also feature considerably in the assists column, especially with the strong attacking instincts of others in this Canberra United squad. 

One to watch

Chelsee Washington comes into the Canberra United setup from Orlando Pride with much promise and a desire to elevate her football reputation. This 2021 Orlando Pride season assessment shows that the NWSL club is keen to see Washington gain extra exposure to high-level football after limited NWSL game time this year, as a development stepping stone. Having been used sparingly, Washington is jumping out of her skin to get on the field with Canberra United. 

“Vicki asked, ‘Usually when you come over from America you’re a bit more competitive, are you going to be able to bring that competitiveness?’

“I was like, ‘You don’t have to worry about that’. When you train for months and there’s no games you’re arguing over the dumbest stuff in training.

“It was definitely frustrating. I’m just excited for a breath of fresh air and that’s what I think this is going to be for me – to be able to play and not feel so bottled up.” 

Prediction

Having once again received a taste of finals football in Season 13, Canberra United will be hungry to go one better this time around by making the Grand Final. With their emphasis on culture and youth, we can expect a high tempo, cohesion and a willingness to fight for one another when the going gets tough. This should stand the team in good stead for another shot at the big dance in Season 14.

Keep up to date with the full squad lists here.

Related Images:

February 15, 2022: Elizabeth Copus-Brown of the Wanderers warms up just before the start of A-league Women’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Canberra United at Wanderers Football Park, on February 15, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) February 15, 2022: Goalkeeper of the Canberra United warms up just before the A-league Women’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Canberra United at Wanderers Football Park, on February 15, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) February 15, 2022: Goalkeeper Sarah Langman of the Wanderers warms up just before the A-league Women’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Canberra United at Wanderers Football Park, on February 15, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) February 15, 2022: Ashleigh Sykes of the United looks for a pass during the A-league Women’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Canberra United at Wanderers Football Park, on February 15, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) February 15, 2022: Sarah Morgan of the Wanderers warms up just before the start of A-league Women’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Canberra United at Wanderers Football Park, on February 15, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) February 15, 2022: Michelle Heyman of the United heads the ball during the A-league Women’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Canberra United at Wanderers Football Park, on February 15, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) February 15, 2022: Isabella Habuda of the Wanderers controls the ball during the A-league Women’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Canberra United at Wanderers Football Park, on February 15, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90)

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