Western United will return to Liberty A-League Women action on New Year’s Day for the first time in 15 days, taking on Perth Glory.
Match Details
Liberty A-League Women Round 8
Perth Glory vs Western United
Sunday, 1 January 2023
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEDT (4:00pm local time)
Macedonia Park, Perth
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10Play, and on Paramount+
Team News
Mark Torcaso has named an unchanged extended squad from United’s last match, with only captain Jaclyn Sawicki and Harriet Withers ruled out with injury as they continue their respective recoveries.
Chloe Logarzo will be pushing to make her first start of the season while Hannah Keane and Jessica McDonald will hope to return to the scoresheet. Stacey Papadopoulos is in contention to make her return from concussion.
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 8. Jessica McDONALD, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Aleksandra SINCLAIR, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Sydney CUMMINGS, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO
Last time out
Western United earned an outstanding 3-1 win against Melbourne City last time out in the Liberty A-League, with Logarzo shining off the bench in the second half.
READ MORE: ALW Match Report: Melbourne City 1-3 Western United
Coming on at half-time, Logarzo scored twice after Adriana Taranto had given United an early lead. The win meant United remains the only side to have won all of its games in the Liberty A-League so far this season.
The Opponent
After missing out on Finals only on goal difference last season, Perth have had a slightly slower start to this season but remain a threat to any opposition in the competition.
It will be a short turnaround for the Glory after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Melbourne City on Tuesday, which followed their first win of the season against Canberra United nine days earlier.
Winger Rylee Baisden has scored four goals for Perth thus far and will return to the side having missed that clash against City.
Key Matchup: Tyla Jay Vlajnic vs Rylee Baisden
Baisden will be the centre of attention for United and for Tyla Jay Vlajnic who will likely have the task of defending Baisden’s advances down Perth’s right-hand side.
Vlajnic has impressed offensively and defensively for United this season and will seek to play on the front foot in order to limit Baisden’s opportunities in front of goal.
If Vlajnic and her teammates can keep Perth’s No.11 quiet, the Green and Black could have an increased chance of taking a positive result out of this match.
Player to Watch: Chloe Logarzo
Logarzo has continued to ramp up her return from an ACL injury and off the back of her match-winning display last time out, she could have more to say in this fixture.
Whether she comes off the bench again or plays from the start, Logarzo’s sharpness and quality is going from strength to strength.
Her ability to link midfield to attack has been crucial for United when she has been on the pitch and she will be eager to get on the end of things again and push the Green and Black towards victory.
Words from Mark Torcaso
On the extended break between games allowing the team to refresh
“It’s been good because we’ve actually been able to freshen a few people up. It actually came at a pretty good time in the end. Everyone is looking fresh.”
On the positivity and mentality within the group after the strong start to the season
“There’s one thing I’ve said all along, it’s creating a good environment, good atmosphere, good culture in your group. That definitely helps the winning mentality and creating mental competitiveness.
“We just take it each week, though. That’s the one thing that’s important for us, each game, each week.”
