The Westfield W-League kicked off this past weekend, the top-division women’s soccer league in Australia. Three Orlando Pride players featured for their respective Clubs in the opening weekend of the league’s 12th season, with two earning a spot on the first Team of the Week of the 2019 campaign in midfielder Emily van Egmond and forward Camila.
Sunday, November 17:
Canberra United 2, Perth Glory 0
Orlando Pride forward Camila made her W-League debut for Canberra United on Sunday, playing a full 90 against Perth Glory. The Brazilian international starred in the match, sending in a cross for Portland Thorns forward Simone Charley to open the scoring for Canberra in the sixth minute. Charley would then double the Canberra lead minutes later with another finish in the 11th minute. Camila’s performance earned her a spot on Team of the Week for Round 1 of the W-League alongside Charley and Canberra defender Karly Roesrbakken. Canberra will look to continue its hot start when it hosts Melbourne City FC next Sunday at McKellar Park.
Newcastle Jets 1, Melbourne City FC 1
A Pride duo featured for Melbourne City FC in its opening match against Newcastle in midfielder Emily van Egmond and forward Claire Emslie, both playing the entirety of the match. Van Egmond opened the scoring in the 22nd minute of the match against her former club, off a long-range strike from just outside the area. Emslie earned the assist on the finish to register a goal contribution in her W-League debut. With her finish on Sunday, van Egmond earned a spot on the W-League Team of the Week, the lone member of her club to appear in the Round 1 first 11. Melbourne City will look for its first victory of the season, with van Egmond and Emslie traveling to take on Pride teammate Camila and Canberra United next Sunday.
Sydney FC 3, Melbourne Victory 0
The reigning W-League Champions opened their 2019 campaign with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Melbourne Victory at home on Sunday. Remy Siemsen secured a brace, scoring in the fourth and 22nd minutes respectively to give Sydney the early lead, with both goals assisted by Portland Thorns forward Caitlin Foord. Shadeene Evans secured the victory for the home side in the second minute of stoppage time, adding another finish to Sydney’s scoring account. Orlando Pride defender Alanna Kennedy did not appear for Sydney in the match.
Carson Pickett rounds out the Pride in the W-League, with the defender expected to make her season debut when the Brisbane Roar hosts the Melbourne Victory in their opening match of the 2019 campaign on Thursday.
Other W-League Results:
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 2, Adelaide United 1
NWSL Players Rostered - Western Sydney: Abby Smith (Utah Royals FC), Sam Staab (Washington Spirit), Amy Harrison (Washington Spirit), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Kristen Hamilton (North Carolina Courage), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage); Adelaide United: Amber Brooks (Houston Dash), Mallory Weber (Utah Royals FC)
Round 2 Fixtures:
Brisbane Roar vs. Melbourne Victory (Thurs. Nov. 21, 3:30 a.m. ET / WATCH)
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Newcastle Jets (Fri. Nov. 22, 1 a.m. ET / WATCH)
Adelaide United vs. Sydney FC (Fri. Nov. 22, 3:30 a.m. ET)
Canberra United vs. Melbourne City FC (Sun. Nov. 24, 12 a.m. ET / WATCH)
Perth Glory: Bye
