Flying Kiwis – March 29
Abby Erceg – Racing Louisville (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Nothing quite like the sounds of a busy stadium on the opening day of the season. The pitch is in pristine condition. Fans of both teams are hopeful with the fresh start. It’s an experience that Abby Erceg had been through many times already as she entered her ninth season in the NWSL yet this one was different as for the first time since 2016 it wasn’t the North Carolina Courage that she was lining up for.
The offseason trade caught her by surprise but the chance to help take a young franchise like Racing Louisville over the hurdle and potentially into playoff contention is a very exciting one at this stage of Erceg’s career. Plus she gets out of a strange situation in North Carolina where Erceg herself had bemoaned the constant lopsided trades. Every season is a fresh start but this was one more than most. RL were away to Houston Dash, a playoff team in 2022 and therefore a good test for the new-look Louisville first up. And, yes, Abby Erceg did walk her new team out as captain on debut.
It was an open game with a lot of defending to do for both sides. Each of them were pushing their fullbacks high and making things happen... but also leaving themselves open to the counter attack. Erceg had one sneaky moment when a poor clearance went straight to an attacker although she got across in cover there as the move fizzled out. Other than that she was winning everything in the air and keeping that Louisville defence in good shape. RL had the best opportunity of the first half when Carson Pickett’s square cross was stabbed wide by Ary Borges. Neither goalie with anything they couldn’t handle. Scoreless after 45.
Jess McDonald (a former NCC teammate of Erceg and recently seen at Western United in the ALW) almost broke the deadlock early in the second stanza with a first-touch chip that was tipped over. Fast restart from Louisville and the closest we’d come yet to a goal. However Houston then had a couple swings themselves as we settled back into that first half rhythm. Very much one of those games that could go either way.
In amongst the fizz, a cheeky milestone arrived with the 59th minute of the match. Nothing you’d have noticed if you were sitting watching in the stands but that was Abby Erceg’s 13,000th NWSL minute played. She’s ninth all-time in that category. Kristie Mewis became the tenth to reach that mark later on in the same day.
Fellow debutant (there were seven of them for Louisville) Uchenna Kanu went super close for Racing driving at a bouncing ball in the area but was denied by a good save. Soon afterwards Houston were on the brink but shot wide after a counter attack while Erceg was forward for a corner kick. Then another big chance with a cross that evaded a Dash striker before Racing’s goalie Katie Lund popped up with a brilliant double stop, including one against Diana Ordonez who played with Erceg and Pickett at NCC last year and was also traded away. Lund pushed a Maria Sanchez free kick over as well.
Houston were turning up the heat... but that was nothing to worry about. Across the board lungs and legs soon felt the pressure of such a frantic game and things settled down as the inevitability of the goalless draw became clear. Racing Louisville might’ve snatched it late had they been a little sharper with their set pieces but they were still the happier side with the 0-0 draw that eventuated. A clean sheet on debut for Abby Erceg. No surprises there.
Up Next: Racing Louisville vs Washington Spirit at 7am on Sunday (NZT)
Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Also getting her season underway, kicking off right about the time that Erceg’s game finished, was Ali Riley. Captaining Angel City FC as they began their second season in existence. They were home against NY/NJ Gotham and the active fan support unfurled a brand new tifo banner especially for the occasion with Ali Riley’s visage featuring prominently. Yeah, that’s the one aye...
But while Riley holds down the fort for a team with plenty of experience in its ranks, it was 18 year old Alyssa Thompson who got most of the headlines heading into the match. Drafted straight out of high school and already capped by the USA women’s national team, Thompson is an absolute phenom of a player and Angel City were able to offer her professional footy in her home city after they ended up with the first overall draft pick thanks to a trade with Gotham. They went out of their way to specifically ensure they acquired Thompson and 12 minutes into her debut for Angel City she scored a belter of a goal from outside the area against Gotham.
Blimey. Believe it or not the Angels almost scored a better one soon after. They did, in fact, but Jun Endo’s long range effort with the keeper out of position was chalked off after a VAR referral spotted a foul in the build-up. A very debatable foul, one must admit. This is the first year that the video assistant referee system has been used in the NWSL and it’s already stirring controversy.
Ali Riley played as a right wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation. She had a tough task up against USA international Midge Purce and her constant dribbling but Riley hung in there, usually getting a foot in to disrupt the progress. Plenty of challenges. Plenty of touches. Plenty of positivity as Angel City took a 1-0 lead into the break.
That positive feeling soon dissipated in the second half though. Riley was surprised to be given a yellow card after 49 mins after stepping late into a tackle near halfway and taking down Purce. She was then astonished mere minutes later when the VAR determined that keeper Didi Haracic had chopped down Svava Ros Gudmundsdottir. All those replays making it look like there was no contact at all and still the ref overturned the original decision. Purce placed the ball on the spot and scored beautifully. Might just mention quickly that there was an errant pass from Ali Riley that led to that move.
Not ideal and it got worse when Lynn Williams scored overlapping on the run on 65’. Turnover in midfield and Gotham hit ‘em hard in transition – another great finish. Ten rough minutes had undone ACFC’s strong first half, Ali Riley was quick to gather the team around for a pep talk.
Angel City kept on in search of a second, with the pace and trickery of Simone Charley their best outlet. But it wasn’t to be. Two major VAR decisions went against them as a 1-0 lead became a 2-1 defeat and you can bet that’ll get some discussion in NWSL circles over the coming days. You can also bet they’ll be talking about Alyssa Thompson. Riley was replaced with twenty to go, no doubt the weight of that yellow card contributing. Highlights here.
By the way, they’re now advertising an HBO insider doco about Angel City FC that’s premiering in March if you’re curious. It was always going to happen given this team’s Hollywood proximity and the proliferation of these kinds of shows these days. Usually they’re so filtered through the team’s corporate interests that they’re bland beyond all entertainment value (and this one does seem to play way too hard on the owners storyline, at least in advertising). But a heavy Ali Riley presence would make it well worth a geeze. We’ll see how that goes.
Up Next: Orlando Pride vs Angel City at 9.30am on Monday (NZT)
Olivia Chance - Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League)
The hits keep coming because Glasgow just played host to a fantastic game of football with big league title ramifications as Rangers took on Celtic in another Old Firm Derby. Vic Esson was on the bench for Rangers, she’s only recently back from injury and they were always likely to go with the keeper with match rhythm. But Liv Chance wasn’t gonna be denied for Celtic. Named to start in a midfield duo within their 3-4-3 formation, operating through the centre rather than out wide as has sometimes been the case recently.
Celtic smoked Rangers 3-0 the last time they met (that match being the reason why Chance left the Footy Ferns camp early) and drew 0-0 with them away earlier in the season. Good form against their rivals heading into a pivotal match in these championship rounds as both teams try to keep pace with leaders Glasgow City – who won 2-0 against Hibs this weekend with Meikayla Moore yet again missing from the matchday squad, although she has been called up for the next NZ squad so if she’s injured it can’t be too serious.
Thing is, Rangers had been stewing ever since. And they clearly hit this one up with a plan (just a pity it didn’t include Vic Esson), because they got going like a house on fire leaving Celtic with little option but to sit deep and play on the break. Natasha Flint nearly scored for Celtic charging down a clearance by keeper Jenna Fife – wouldn’t have happened to Esson – but that one squeezed wide and it was about the best that the Hoops could muster in the first half. Meanwhile Rangers were unleashing shots and that pressure paid off on 36’ when a defender/goalkeeper miscommunication for a low square cross allowed Brogan Hay the simplest of one-yard tap-ins. A gift of a goal but one that came as a product of repeated attacks. Keep swinging and eventually you’ll connect with one.
Celtic did well to hang in there and keep it to one at half time, then were then able to come more into the contest in the second spell. Initially for minimal chances but as the game drew on they grew more dangerous. American striker Kit Loferski made a difference off the bench, her signing was only announced less than two hours before kickoff and it’s worth mentioning because Loferski last year played for Åland United in Finland as a teammate of Jacqui Hand. Respect to those that make a habit of keeping kiwi teammates... plus this is also an indication of where future pathways may lie for Hand herself.
On we went and it seemed like Rangers would be able to emerge with that 1-0 victory, a win that would leap them ahead of Celtic on the ladder. But that’s not what happened. Because six minutes of injury time were extended out thanks to actual injuries and in the 99th minute a long ball from the back, not dissimilar to several Chance attempts at the same tactic, caught the Rangers defence static. The ball was allowed to bounce in behind then as keeper Fife rushed out her clearance was charged by Caitlyn Hayes who then finished into an empty net for the dramatic late equaliser. Again: wouldn’t have happened if Vic Esson had been playing.
1-1 was the final score so Glasgow City were the big winners of the round but Celtic and Rangers are still both in touch considering the top six play each other twice in the champo rounds and this was only the first of those remaining ten rounds. Celtic stay in second in control of the other Champions League qualification spot.
But hold up we weren’t done with the drama quite yet. One of Rangers’ coaches (not the head coach, mind you) took exception to something for some reason and gave a wee headbutt to the Celtic manager amongst the handshakes. Ugly scenes although it was busted up nice and quick. And who was the first player in there to bust it up?
No nonsense in these here parts. Liv Chance had been sitting deep in midfield and busting things up for 99 minutes prior to that moment so it’s all just a force of habit.
In the other game of note, Hearts claimed a 1-0 win away against Partick Thistle to keep themselves firmly entrenched as the best of the rest. 13 points behind third place but 11 points ahead of fifth. Pretty sure you can guess where they’ll finish. Katie Rood only played ten minutes off the bench there. Hearts play Glasgow City next week and can do everyone a favour by taking points off the league leaders.
Up Next: Celtic vs Partick Thistle on Sunday at 11.10pm (NZT)
CJ Bott - Leicester City (English Super League)
Blessed days, CJ Bott is back. Not just on the bench either but straight into the starting line-up after recovering from injury as Leicester City took on Aston Villa. They’re all big games for Leicester as they try to avoid relegation so that goes without saying. Aston Villa are also on a points collecting mission though as their fantastic recent form has seen them surge into the FA Cup semis with a good shout of finishing fifth on the ladder (aka best of the rest behind the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea, and Arsenal).
Anna Leat is also in the mix for Aston Villa again but she was on the bench for the second straight game since her return from a back injury. Hannah Hampton has regained top form in Leat’s absence which doesn’t help. Hampton’s even been recalled to the England squad. Bit awkward for Leat who seemed to have the edge on the starting gig prior to her back twinge but a good problem to have as far as Villa are concerned. Two quality goalies? Many teams don’t even have one.
The Foxes were pretty sharp at the outset. End to end footy and they were giving it plenty, even putting the ball in the net in the fifth minute only for a whistle to deny them... then about thirty seconds after the disallowed goal Kenza Dali smashed one in for Villa via a slight deflection. Bugger. LCFC picked up where they left off with CJ Bott’s combative presence on the right flank a big part of their progress and for another half an hour they were right there in the hunt until Alisha Lehmann converted off a low cross on 35’ and at two goals down it was going to be a mission for the Foxes to fight back.
Bott smashed a shot on target from an overlap but Hampton saved it easily enough. Then Rachel Daly scored again just before the break, pouncing on a heavy touch from defender Sophie Howard. Make that 3-0 at the break and you know which way this one was heading. Daly scored again ten minutes into the second half. Lehmann got another with twenty to go – straight after LCFC had waved the white flag with a quadruple substitution that included CJ Bott getting an early rest. 5-0 was the final score. Didn’t feel like Aston Villa were that far ahead on the run of play but they were so much more clinical in attack and they avoided mistakes at the back... two things that can make a gargantuan difference in a game of footy.
CJ Bott post-game: “We're completely disappointed. The scoreline isn't something we take lightly and it's a tough one to swallow. Our first-half performance was okay, we kept possession somewhat well, but we knew we could've taken it up a notch. We let them have three easy goals, in our opinion, so it's not good enough and we know we can do better. So now it's on us to work hard, and produce a response.”
Spurs got thrashed 5-1 at home to Arsenal. No Ria Percival of course but the latest Football Ferns squad announcement did suggest that she’s getting close to consideration again. A draw between Everton and Liverpool also helped Leicester City’s case. As did a 2-2 belter of a game between Reading and Brighton, with Rebekah Stott again an unused sub for BHAFC. Brighton were 2-0 up after 15 mins but couldn’t withstand the barrage.
With six games left, Leicester don’t have much time to waste if they’re to avoid the drop, although they do have a number of those games left against lower half teams. Starting next when they host Reading in what might as well be a must-win contest.
Up Next: Huge game, Leicester vs Reading at 2am on Monday (NZT)
Bill Tuiloma – Charlotte FC (American Major League Soccer)
Bill Tuiloma missed out on All Whites duty in order to stay with his new club Charlotte FC since the Americans, in true American fashion, don’t tend to respect international etiquette when it comes to FIFA windows. Then he didn’t end up playing anyway. Listed as doubtful with a right thigh injury and then ending up outside the matchday squad to face New York Red Bulls. Ah well.
Charlotte weren’t able to back up their win in the previous game despite an abundance of possession. They had 74% of the ball yet only managed one shot on target all game. Conceded just before the half... but were at least able to get a draw thanks to a 74th minute own goal in their favour. Here are some highlights. Doesn’t sound like Tui’s knock is too drastic since he was only considered ‘questionable’ on the injury report. Hopefully he’s back next week.
Meanwhile Tuiloma’s old club Portland Timbers had a 0-0 draw with LA Galaxy, notable because of ex-All White Tyler Boyd getting a start (and a yellow card) for LAG. And in Michael Boxall’s absence Minnesota United had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps... allowing a 98th minute leveller. Yikes.
Up Next: Toronto vs Charlotte, 11.30am on Sunday (NZT)
Daisy Cleverley - HB Køge (Danish Kvindeligaen)
Alas, there will be no New Zealander lifting the Danish Cup trophy this season. Two of them were still in with a chance but neither of them got through their semi-final second legs. Daisy Cleverley first, her HBK team had drawn 0-0 with Fortuna Hjørring in the first leg. That left them an away trip to find a way through and the bad omens began when DC was left out of the starting team.
The game was streamed but it’s paywalled and other video seems to be scarce, so suffice to say that FH scored in just the seventh minute through Rikke Dybdahl to put themselves in control and, after a relatively even rest of the first half in which HBK were denied several times by the Fortuna goalkeeper, Dybdahl would double that lead on the hour. Cleverley came on off the bench in the 74th but there was no comeback to follow. A 2-0 loss on the day and on aggregate as HBK’s cup defence falls short in the final four. They are, however, seven points clear at the top of the league standings in search of their third Kvindeligaen championship on the trot... that all starts up again next week.
In the other game, Ally Green’s AGF were already 1-0 down against FC Nordsjælland and it didn’t get any better. They lost 3-0 in the reverse fixture for a 4-0 aggregate defeat. They were definitely the underdogs in the tie given that they’re the only team left from outside the top half of the league table but still a bummer to go out that emphatically. Goals were scored on 28’, 65’, and 75’. This one did get the YouTube livestream treatment, with Ally Green making her first start for the club. She lined up at left-back and played the first half before being replaced with the result beginning to look inevitable. They had some moments in there, just couldn’t do enough to force the issue.
Up Next: The return of the Kvindeliga, with HBK against Nordsjælland at 5am on Saturday and AGF away to Sundby at 2am on Sunday (NZT)
Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)
More Scandinavian cup semi-final mahi... also another defeat, sadly. But Jacqui Hand did score the goal that gave Åland United the 24th minute lead against KuPS. Problem was they conceded an equaliser about two minutes later and went on to lose 2-1. KuPS advance to face HJK in the final, meaning that AU’s two-year reign as cup champs will not be extended. Stink buzz, just gonna have to go and win the league title instead.
Hand spent most of her offseason injured after getting a knock while away with the Football Ferns late last year. She still wasn’t quite good to go for either of the recent home series but she made her return to the pitch as soon as the cup prelims began for AU. Got 87 mins in a 4-2 loss to HJK. Then played ninety scoring twice in a 5-2 win over HPS. She featured off the bench in the quarter-final, brought on after 53 mins to help her team to a 2-1 victory versus Ilves. Then came a full game and another goal in the semis. Interesting to see she was being used as a striker in a 4-4-2 formation having mostly played as a wide midfielder in 2022.
Up Next: Couple more weeks and then the league season begins
Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English League Two)
Three games and three draws for GT over the past seven days and Max Crocombe was everpresent throughout. First off was a 0-0 draw away against Mansfield Town in a game that clearly lacked quality. The best moments came in the first half. Second half saw Grimsby Town showing signs of fatigue amidst a heavy backlog of games. But they kept the cleanie and marched on with a draw.
They then made it five League Two games in a row without defeat when they drew 1-1 against Walsall, leading 1-0 at the break after a Bryn Morris goal (18’) but conceding in the second half to share the points. Both teams had chances to win it and neither could make the most of them. Can’t argue. And this morning it became six games undefeated with a 1-1 draw away to Crawley Town. They were in position to win it until an 87th minute penalty was conceded. Crocombe got a hand to the strike but couldn’t keep it out. So it goes, they should’ve already killed it off way by then. No major hassle. Grimsby Town are probably a bit far away to make a run at the playoffs and they’re too far up to worry about relegation so the last couple months could be a little weird for them.
In other news, Nik Tzanev didn’t play for AFC Wimbledon. That’s a big deal because he simply does not miss league games for the Dons. The bro was one of five players in League One last season who played every single minute of the 46 games (4140 mins for those of you who can’t use a calculator), having played 14 straight games to close the previous season. He’d been on track to do the same this time around in League Two... but injury caught up with him after 97 consecutive starts.
AFCW manager Johnnie Jackson: “Nik has been trying to manage an ongoing injury,” said Johnnie. “It’s got to a point where he felt unable to play and it was affecting him enough that it would be to the detriment of the team. No problem, in came Nathan Broome.”
Not sure how long he’ll be out for but they lost 2-1 to Barrow without him which made it 11 games in a row without a win, although they finally ended that drought with a 2-0 win over Walsall this morning. Their first win since January 29. Not sure why this club seems to be so streaky but they really are. Wimbledon find themselves in a similar spot to Grimsby where they’ve only really got pride left to play for – even after this shocker run they’re still 14 points and eight places ahead of the relegation zone so doubtful that they’ll rush Tzanev back before he’s ready. But they’ll be begging that isn’t too long considering he was one of ten first team players out injured for that Barrow game.
Colchester Utd are still in some strife though. Their buffer to the drop zone is only five points, although they did have a tidy 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers this weekend while Tommy Smith was back in Aotearoa earning his 50th international cap... and a red card as well. Work to be done there.
Up Next: Bradford City vs Grimsby Town at 1am on Sunday (NZT)
Grace Neville - London City Lionesses (England Championship)
Might have to park the hopes of London City getting promoted back to the top flight after this one. Despite forcing a couple saves early on they soon found themselves in big trouble after a silly penalty was conceded, followed by a banger of a second goal from opponents Durham, then a header from a free kick meant that LCL had conceded three times between the 20th-43rd minutes. Neville was subbed at half-time.
The 3-0 defeat undid their great work in beating leaders Bristol City 2-0 last week (Neviller with 90 mins), after Bristol City beat Southampton 1-0 this week to return six points clear at the top with only first place getting promoted. Ashleigh Ward was an unused sub for the Saints in that game. They’re back in fifth. LCL are second. Still four more games remaining, never know what might happen.
Up Next: London City Lionesses vs Charlton at 1am on Monday (NZT)
Jana Niedermayr - SKN St. Pölten (Austrian Frauenliga)
Here’s one that slipped under the radar: Jana Niedermayr has joined Austrian club SKN St. Pölten. Not a typical destination for a kiwi player by any means – although Niedermayr is a relatively common name in Austria and parts of Germany so there’s probably some heritage in there. It was mentioned that she has an Austrian passport in a couple of the local write-ups about her transfer so there ya go.
This isn’t just any old Austrian club though. St Pölten have won the last seven league titles in a row and are therefore regulars in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League – in fact they made it all the way to the group stages this past term, finishing third in a group with Wolfsburg (Germany), Roma (Italy), and Slavia Prague (Czachia) thanks to a win and a draw against the latter. This season they’re in domestic cruise control with 11 wins from 11 games and a goal difference of +60. Two games ago they broke an Austrian record for the biggest ever victory when they put 16 unanswered goals past Altenmarkt.
Niedermayr, who joined the club during their winter break, hasn’t yet featured for the senior team however she is being integrated with the reserves. Already played twice for the SKN II team, both full games, even scoring a goal in one of them (as well as a few unofficial friendlies). Nieds is a central defender by trade and started alongside Kate Taylor at the U20 World Cup last year. She’s also represented Aotearoa at U17 level and has several National League seasons under her belt, having emerged from the Central Football region. Did some FFDP stuff as well. Plus she does have that goal-scoring knack having swivelled in one of the absolute goals of the season last year.
Up Next: Hang about, move on up, see if she can’t play some Champions League later in the year
Emma Pijnenburg – Feyenoord (Dutch Eredivisie)
Want another sneaky one? NZ U20s midfielder Emma Pijnenburg, a standout creative force for Western Springs last National League with a remarkable eye for an incisive pass, is now testing out the waters in the Netherlands having joined top flight club Feyenoord.
Like Niedermayr, Pijnenburg hasn’t been chucked straight into the first team but she has been getting games for the academy team. Settling into the new scene. Pijnenburg has a Dutch father so this is yet another case of a kiwi player exploiting a dual passport situation. We’ve always had a few of those going on in England but lately the other diaspora have been having a time too. Marko Stamenic, Marco Rojas, Emma Pijnenburg, Jana Niedermayr, Kian Donkers, to name a few. Right on.
Up Next: Progress and more progress
Kees Sims, Otto Ingham & Oliver Fay - Ljungskile SK (Swedish Ettan Södra)
Got another one. A year ago Kees Sims, Otto Ingham, and Robi Sabo all graduated from Western Suburbs/Ole Academy to join third tier Ljungskile in Sweden. Sims was the youngest but soon worked his way into becoming their starting goalie (and has spent a productive offseason training with Premier League clubs in England as well as representing the NZ U23s last week). Ingham got regular first team duties but was in and off the bench. Sabo didn’t play that much and has since left the club. LSK finished fifth in the Southern side of the division, with only the champs going straight up and second-place get a playoff.
Not sure where Sabo’s at these days but LSK weren’t about to run the risk of heading into a season with any less than three kiwis so they’ve stocked up with the addition of Auckland United and NZ U20s winger/playmaker Oliver Fay. Fella had a goal and an assist in eight starts for AUFC in the 2022 National League, impressing with his silky touch and clever movement. Fay’s been over there since preseason and has now been signed on a proper deal a week out from the start of the new Ettan campaign. Happy days.
LSK manager Erik Lund Fahlen: “Fay is a very exciting young player with many offensive qualities and who has done well since joining the group. He will only get better as the year goes by.”
Up Next: LSK vs Atvidaberg at 2am on Monday (NZT)
Deklan Wynne & Jesse Randall - Charleston Battery (American USL Championship)
Finally, here’s confirmation of something we already knew... but still cool to see it formalised. Jesse Randall’s been looking flash for the NZ U23s this past week and now that’s done with he’ll be flying over to America with new teammate Deklan Wynne to start his journey as a professional.
Up Next: US Open Cup against Savannah Clovers at midday on Weds 5 April (NZT)
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