For teams in Australia’s Westfield W-League, it’s coming down to the wire. For one team-- Brisbane Roar-- their season is already over. For everyone else, there’s one game left to prove themselves and hopefully make it into the top four for the playoffs. Here’s a summary of all the Week 13 action, as well as a look ahead at Week 14 and who will finish at the top of the table.
Canberra United
Canberra United faced off against the Western Sydney Wanderers in Week 13. Jasmyne Spencer started the match, playing the full 90 minutes, and Lisa De Vanna came on in the 60th minute as a substitute for Grace Maher. The teams were close the entire match, with a lone goal from Stengel separating the two sides. Canberra United dropped the match 1-0 but still sit at the second place slot on the table, with a chance to take over as the first place team in the final week. Canberra United will face Melbourne Victory-- the lowest ranked team in the league-- for their final match of the season. The match will take place on Saturday, January 28th at 4:00pm local time.
Melbourne City
Melbourne City has fallen far since they sat at the top of the table. They currently sit in fourth place, and will have to fight in Week 14 for that final playoff spot. In Week 13, they beat the Brisbane Roar 3-1, with an early goal from Marianna Tabain and two second-half goals from Defender Rebekah Stott. Melbourne City’s team captain is Orlando Pride Defender Steph Catley, and she along with her Pride teammate Laura Alleway, both got the start in Sunday’s match. They will face off against the Newcastle Jets in their final week of the season-- the winner of that game will go to the playoffs. If the results are a draw, Melbourne City will go through. The game against Newcastle is on Friday, January 27th at 5:20pm local time.
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar’s season ended with a loss in Week 13. With an odd amount of teams in the league (nine), one team has off every week. Brisbane Roar has off Week 14, and finishing with only 13 points, they will not be moving on to the playoffs. Brisbane Roar lost their final match 3-1 against Melbourne City. While the season didn’t go as well as they would have liked, for many the Brisbane Roar’s season was reflective of a growing club. Orlando Pride Midfielder Maddy Evans spent the season with Brisbane Roar, and after the game, she posted on Twitter that she was “feeling so thankful this opportunity.”
Adelaide United
After earning their first win in Week 12, Adelaide United earned their second win in Week 13, with Orlando Pride Defender Monica on the field as a starter both weeks. Adelaide beat Perth Glory 2-1, with both goals coming from Chicago Red Stars Midfielder Danielle Colaprico. They are unable to reach the playoffs, with only 11 points this season, but they have lifted themselves from the bottom of the table. They’ll play their final game of the season against #1 ranked Sydney FC. That game will take place on Sunday, January 29th at 2:00pm local time.
Sydney FC
With the Orlando Pride recently acquiring Defender Alanna Kennedy from North Carolina Courage, we decided to add her W-League team, Sydney FC, into our W-League Recap. Sydney FC sits at the #1 slot on the table. In Week 13, they dropped the match against the Newcastle Jets 3-1. Gilliand earned a hat trick for the Newcastle Jets, and while Sydney FC was able to take one back at the feet of Boston Breaker’s striker Kyah Simon in the 93rd minute, it wasn’t enough to even up the match. Sydney FC will face Adelaide United in the final week of the regular season before moving on to the playoffs. The game against Adelaide United is on Sunday, January 29th at 2:00pm local time.
