Matildas returnee Chloe Logarzo praised the support of Western United in finding her love for football again.
Speaking after her recall to the national team was confirmed, Logarzo shared in particular that encouragement from United assistant coach Chelsea Noonan had helped her rediscover her sheer passion for the game.
“Chelsea has really brought it out of me. I knew it was deep down inside somewhere that I wanted to be here (with the Matildas), but I never really allowed myself to voice it,” she said.
“Her ability to work with me week in, week out to find that desire to want to be back here has been the only reason that I am here.
“So I’m grateful for the Club and I’m grateful for the people that have been in my corner, pushing me to find the love of the game again.”
“I’m just trying to have fun. I think when there’s no expectations and you play without fear, you have this sense of freedom when you’re playing and I think that’s just oozing out in my game and a byproduct of what I’ve been enjoying.”
Logarzo is back to her best in a Western United shirt with five goals and two assists as a co-captain of the side this Liberty A-League Women season.
The No.6 has been instrumental in shooting the Green and Black up to second on the table, with her performances warranting a Matildas recall from Tony Gustavsson.
READ MORE: Matildas boss hails Logarzo recall: ‘Chloe is back being Chloe’
Set to join camp for the first time in over a year, Logarzo reflected on how it felt to be representing her country once more.
“It’s really nice to be back here. I don’t really know how to put it into words – I don’t think I’m excited. I know that sounds weird, but I think it’s just one of those sighs of relief that I was able to get myself in a position to be back wearing this emblem and representing my nation again,” she said.
“I’m just excited by the opportunity to be a part of something that I’ve wanted to be a part of for a long time.”
The Matildas are set to face Uzbekistan over two legs at the end of February, with the winner of the tie earning qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Logarzo and the side won’t be taking the World No.47 lightly, though, insisting that every effort will be geared towards achieving qualification.
“Every game is important for us, and I think it will be a really good challenge,” she said.
“It will be one of those situations where we’ll be settling into it, and for the girls to come together after the Christmas break is going to be really good.
“The pressure is always on, we still need to qualify for the Olympics, so it’s about putting our head down and working hard.”
Before she joins the Matildas camp, though, Logarzo has two Liberty A-League matches to focus on with Western United.
The first of those comes this Sunday evening with Western United fans set to get the chance to celebrate their favourite Matildas star at home at City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field.
United has risen to second on the table on the back of three straight wins in the competition, with Kat Smith’s side now just three points adrift of Melbourne City at the top of the league.
Logarzo is itching to get back in front of the Green and Black faithful in the West as the side charts its course towards success at the end of the season.
“I’m really excited we get to play a home game. We played a home game in Tassie and the crowd was incredible,” she said.
“To play in front of our fans is always special, and to do it when we’ve got the chase on to get some silverware towards the back of the season, where we’re coming into form and playing really football, it’s something that is really exciting.
“I’m looking forward to playing with the girls, and just taking this one day at a time until I get into camp. My main focus right now is just to worry about the league and do the job that I need to do before I’m not here anymore.”
Be there at City Vista on Sunday to celebrate Chloe’s Matildas recall and to get behind our girls in green. Book your tickets now.
