Irrespective of the result on the scoreboard, Auckland FC’s first foray into women’s football could be pivotal in the careers of the women invited to take part.
An Auckland FC Invitational XI side made up of international stars, local club footballers, A-League stalwarts and professionals looking for their next contract have come together in unusual circumstances.
With 10 days of preparation, the squad wearing Auckland FC colours will play eight-time WSL champions Chelsea FC Women at Eden Park.
This will be the first time a Women’s Super League club has played in New Zealand.
It is an exhibition match that in many ways should not be happening. The A-League club do not have a women’s side and will not for a couple of seasons yet. They will be the ‘away’ side when they take the field.
But for the 20 women selected to represent Auckland’s badge for the first time, it is an opportunity that means something different to each of them.
For experienced Football Fern Olivia Chance it is a homecoming.
She has never played professionally in New Zealand in a club career that has spanned stints in the United States, Iceland, England, Australia, Scotland and Norway.
“It’s a privilege to be here. Everyone feels that,” Chance said about being selected for the invitational side.
“I’m born in Auckland and then to do a full circle, I’m coming to the end of my career and for this to be an opportunity, I feel really lucky.
“I think every Football Fern who has spent the majority of their careers overseas, like myself and a few others, are definitely excited for the opportunity to play with Auckland.”
For American midfielder Claire Winter, “this is probably one of the biggest games of my career, even though it’s just an invitational”.
Winter, 31, represented the USA at youth level before helping UCLA win the 2013 NCAA National Championship and reach the national runner-up spot in 2017.
Her professional career has taken her to Spain, Puerto Rico, back to the United States, then Ireland, Denmark and home again.
“It is a really cool experience, especially for players like myself who are kind of in between contracts right now to get different looks from potential clubs, whether it be in the A-League or, for me, back in the States, the NWSL-USL,” Winter said.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to showcase what some players can do who are searching for contracts.
“We’re obviously always chasing results, right? But I think in this circumstance, it’s definitely to showcase individuals’ strengths and hopefully that turns into something bigger after this.”
At the opposite end of the experience scale, eight players have been selected from club football in New Zealand. Including six from Auckland United.
Of the domestic players, seven of them are 25 years-old or under.
Coach Jenny Bindon, who is a former Football Ferns goalkeeper and experienced coach with roles in the college system in the United States and in the Women’s Super League, knows a match against Chelsea FC with limited preparation is a challenge.
“I think this is very Kiwiana. We just embrace number 8 wire.
“We’re putting together a team that we think will be amazing that showcases our young talent. We have Laura Bennett, who’s 17 years-old stepping on the pitch with an Ellie Carpenter or Lucy Bronze or Alyssa Thompson, who’s about her age.
“That inspires her, and that’s the next generation that will come through and be a professional for Auckland, but also possibly a Fern and playing in World Cups and Olympics.
“So we can’t really focus on the time and those things. We just have to embrace the opportunity, and I think every player is really stepping up to the mark to do that.”
Among the players in the Auckland team is Wellington Phoenix’s Mackenzie Barry. Her coach Bev Priestman gave her to go-ahead to link up with Auckland for the one-off match.
Bindon said Priestman could see the value in Barry getting the opportunity.
“This is her only second club she’s ever been associated with. So, these are all growing and learning moments for these women, and they’ll help them be more professional, which will help the governing body of New Zealand Football, the Ferns, to be successful,” Bindon said.
Ellie Carpenter, Chelsea F.C. Head Coach Sonia Bompastor and Katie McCabe in Auckland for the New Zealand International Football Festival.
Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz
Bindon has worked as an assistant coach with the London City Lionesses so is familiar with what Chelsea will put on the park on Saturday.
“I know Chelsea’s team very well, but I think everyone does.
“If you’re in the women’s game, you know those players.
“What I think is really exciting is when you look at that list of Chelsea players that are here, this is showcasing what women’s football is like in the world.
“For them to come here, I think now you have the likes of players domestically and professionally, Kiwi and Aussie players, get an opportunity to be on the pitch with them, and the more that we are in these environments, the more we belong, and I think it’s amazing.”
While Auckland FC wait to have an official women’s team competing in regular competition, Bindon said the current men’s A-League team had welcomed them with open arms.
“The guys have been amazing to just kind of embrace us being in their space, but I think that’s the thing, it’s not their space, it’s Auckland’s, and they’re embracing the women being there, which is amazing.”
Squads
Zoe Doughty, 24, Fencibles United (New Zealand), United States
Lindsey Harris, 32, unattached, United States
Maddie Iro, 20, Hills United (Australia), New Zealand, 1 cap
Liz Anton, 27, Canberra United (Australia), New Zealand, 31 caps
Mackenzie Barry, 25, Wellington Phoenix (NZ), New Zealand, 25 caps
Abby Erceg, 36, Toluca FC (Mexico), New Zealand, 146 caps
Alaina Granger, 22, Auckland United (New Zealand), New Zealand
Talisha Green, 25, Auckland United (New Zealand), New Zealand
Saskia Vosper, 27, Auckland United (New Zealand), New Zealand
Olivia Chance, 32, unattached, New Zealand, 48 caps
Olivia Ingham, 20, Auckland United (New Zealand), New Zealand
Aniela Jensen, 24, Auckland United (New Zealand), New Zealand
Piper O’Neill, 18, Auckland United (New Zealand), New Zealand
Claire Winter, 31, Lexington SC (Kentucky), United States
Nya Bacelli, 22, unattached, United States
Laura Bennett, 17, Melville United (New Zealand), New Zealand
Deven Jackson, 28, Melbourne City (Australia), New Zealand, 11 caps
Maggie Jenkins, 25, Essendon Royals (Australia), New Zealand, 3 caps
Charlotte Lancaster, 22, Newcastle Jets (Australia), New Zealand, 4 caps
Ruby Nathan, 20, Sydney Olympic (Australia), New Zealand, 5 caps
Hannah Hampton, 25, England
Livia Peng, 24, Switzerland
Becky Spencer, 35, Jamaica
Ellie Carpenter, 26, Australia
Naomi Girma, 26, United States
Veerle Buurman, 20, Netherlands
Kadeisha Buchanan, 30, Canada
Chloe Sarwie, 17, England
Katie McCabe, 30, Republic of Ireland
Sjoeke Nüsken, 25, Germany
Erin Cuthbert, 28, Scotland
Wieke Kaptein, 20, Netherlands
Giulia Dragoni, 19, Italy
Mayra Ramírez, 27, Colombia
Melvine Malard, 26, France
Lauren James, 24, England
Sandy Baltimore, 26, France
Alyssa Thompson, 21, United States
Aggie Beever-Jones, 23, England