Western United ALW Team News: Round 17 vs Wellington Phoenix

Kat Smith has named an unchanged 20-player extended squad as Western United goes in search of a fifth straight Liberty A-League Women win on Sunday against Wellington Phoenix.

Chloe Logarzo will lead the team out in her final match before heading into camp with the Matildas, where she will turn her attention to helping Australia qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Logarzo was the star of the show last week when she scored two goals against Brisbane Roar, including a stoppage time penalty to win the game and keep United’s triumphant run intact.

Tyla Jay Vlajnic marked her return to the side with two assists from corners in that game, and she too will head off on international duty after the clash having been called up once again to the Serbia squad.

Alongside those two, Jaclyn Sawicki will join the Philippines camp following the game and Kahli Johnson will unite with the Young Matildas for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, which begins next month.

United’s list of international talent will all be eager to put their best boot forward before their various travels to represent their nations.

Johnson has come through three straight substitute appearances and will be pushing for a first start under Smith’s tenure.

A year on to the day from her last Liberty A-League appearance, Aimee Medwin returned to the pitch last week and will be out to continue building her sharpness after returning from her ACL rehabilitation.

The versatile left-footer immediately picked up where she had left off last season with her pace and strength on both sides of the ball, and she will hope to be a reliable option for Smith to turn to again.

Smith continues to shift between formations with a squad full of strong competition at her disposal as only Raquel Deralas and Catherine Zimmerman remain sidelined.

After suffering a minor setback in her return, Zimmerman is tracking well and will work towards putting herself in contention to feature in Round 18 against Canberra United.

Full Western United extended squad

Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Lucy RICHARDS, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO

Ins: 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Lucy RICHARDS, 24. Julia SARDO

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 17. Raquel DERALAS (injured), 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)