Pre-season is over and Western United is all set for its historic first ever Liberty A-League Women match against Melbourne Victory on Saturday November 19.
The inaugural Green and Black squad has completed its preparations and enters the season with ambition and determination.
READ MORE: ALW Pre-Season Report: Melbourne City 0-3 Western United
A number of players stood out in Mark Torcaso’s side across two friendly matches and have themselves primed to make an impact from the beginning of the campaign.
Hannah Keane
Hannah Keane has brought goals with her from the United States and will hope to carry her strong pre-season form into the regular season.
The towering striker scored the late winner in United’s 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in its first friendly and followed that up with a brace against Melbourne City.
In addition to her goals, Keane has impressed with her hold up play and ability to control the ball with her back to goal and she will undoubtedly be a key player for United this season.
Jessica McDonald
Keane and countrywoman Jessica McDonald have already formed a strong connection in the final third and have the makings of a devastating striking duo.
McDonald got straight to work once arriving in Victoria, supplying the assist for Keane’s winner against Victory before roles were reversed as Keane supplied McDonald with her first goal in Green and Black.
A menacing figure across the front line, McDonald demonstrated her frightening athleticism on and off the ball in both matches and will be a handful for opposition defences in the Liberty A-League.
Sydney Cummings
With United keeping clean sheets in both friendlies, Sydney Cummings has emerged as a leader at the back and has marshalled the defence from centre half.
Despite being only 23 years of age, Cummings has gained experience at the highest level internationally and domestically and has exuded confidence and assuredness in pre-season.
Cummings has dominated her aerial battles across the two fixtures, exhibited her superb reading of the game and her quality on the ball to set the tone for United from the back.
Emma Robers
Western United’s midfield is packed with talent and will create much competition for places, but Emma Robers has done her chances no harm with a pair of excellent pre-season performances.
Often known for her defensive attributes with size, strength and tackling prowess, Robers delivered all that and more between the two friendlies and proved to be vital in helping United play out of the back and move forwards into opposition territory.
A defence-splitting pass earned Robers an assist for Keane’s opener against City and she will be eager to get on the pitch against Victory in Round 1 and carry on where she left off.
