Ultra Football’s Guide to the 24/25 Women’s Super League Season
Thu, Sep 19.24
A fitting analogy to explain the astounding, yet consistent growth of England’s top-flight would be of a distant younger relative, who you continue to picture as a young child.
Every year, you re-unite, knowing time has passed, but are still placed in a stake of shock at how large they have grown, in such a short space of time. How tall could they really grow to be?
The current competition has only seen 13 seasons, yet the cultural impact this competition has, in the UK and across the globe speaks of a century-old legacy.
Australia has caught the WSL cold, already obsessed with its clubs, traditions, rivalries, and now over a dozen Aussies to support.
For the 24/25 season, Ultra Football is proud to support ‘The Ladies League’ as the WSL venue in Sydney, with staff having been given a jersey of their choosing along with a sponsored area in which fans can gather and show their unapologetic passion for their football team.
So, what should fans be looking out for this season?
A match-day like no other in women’s sport
Arsenal matches at the Emirates Stadium have become the hottest ticket in women’s sport with the Gunners selling out the 60,000-seat arena on three occasions last season, with the club hoping to double that number for the 24/25 campaign.
Fans in Australia have numerous angles in which to view the action inside the stadium, but on match-day, it’s the traditions and atmosphere outside the venue which hook fans in time after time.
For two of ‘The Ladies League’ staff, Lucy and Rhys, nothing will replicate the pre-game festivities outside an Arsenal home match in North London.
“My day would start in Essex, where I would then travel into London to catch-up with one of my best friends, who I always head to matches with,” Lucy explains.
“If it was a men’s match, then I usually go with my brothers as they don’t like me heading to the stadium alone, yet with the girls, I have never had that worry.”
“I would get on the Tube and notice the large number of red jerseys joining us as we got closer. You felt comfortable talking to every fan you met, asking whether Leah (Williamson) will play or if Alessia (Russo) can continue her goal-scoring form.”
Rhys has been a life-long supporter of Arsenal FC, having grown up watching the club’s Invincibles Era. The Sydneysider’s love has developed to the women’s game, following the arrival of three Matildas’ stars.
“During my time studying in Europe, I knew I had to watch a match at the Emirates. Both the women’s and men’s sides were battling for a title last season, so it was perfect,” he says.
“Walking to the ground, you can see the stadium in the distance, food everywhere, you can feel the community. Out-front there are statues of club legends from the men’s team, but now the club have lined the walls with famous moments from the women’s team as well.”
“Both are now just as important.”
On the pitch, Arsenal have gone from strength-to-strength under Jonas Eidevall, with the Gunners firming as a serious title contender in 2024/25.
The ‘Aus-enal’ crew remain, with Kyra Cooney-Cross now properly established next to Matildas’ Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord, with new arrival Mariona Caldentey partnering Kyra in the midfield.
Caldentey is a World Cup and 3x Champions League winner with Spain and Barcelona respectively and her insight will be invaluable to a rising star like Cooney-Cross.
“Kyra has so much left in her. She will be the biggest improver of any player,” Rhys assured us.
Will the Blues reign without its commander
Was anyone really surprised to see former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes win an Olympic Gold Medal at her first attempt as USA coach? She’s a winner, that’s what she does, but can the Blues do it without her?
The task hasn’t been made any easier with the sale of stars including Maren Mjelde, Fran Kirby, Melanie Leupolz and Jess Carter. Yet, the whole league will be holding its breath, for when Sam Kerr returns to action after suffering an ACL injury in 2023.
It cannot be understated how crucial she will be to Chelsea’s title ambitions, as the clubs around them strengthen further. Kerr’s first match back is unknown but Football Australia CEO reassured Optus Sport saying she is "close to getting back on the field".
Raso, Hunt triple Tottenham’s Matilda ranks
Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn has bolstered his squad following a successful first campaign in charge, where the club finished sixth and reached a cup final.
Their glaring weakness last campaign was a lack of goals, with only 31 in 22 games, almost half of their North London rivals Arsenal (53) and an incredible 40 behind London rivals Chelsea (71).
The pressure to deliver consistent goals may well fall to Matildas’ star Hayley Raso, who has arrived from Real Madrid. Australia fans may well keep an eye on how Raso and compatriot Charlotte Grant combine on the right flank, as a preview for the national team going forward.
Clare Hunt’s addition strengthens Tottenham’s backline, with the Lilywhites bullish about a Champions League finish this campaign.
Miedema added to a frightening City attack
Goal difference was all that denied Manchester City of the title last campaign over Chelsea, yet with the departure of the Blues manager, will we see the blue moon rise higher this time around.
No talk of City’s squad arrivals can start without mentioning Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema, who arrivals following 7 years at Arsenal. One could argue, Miedema was the world’s best goal-scorer before knee injuries halted her career, with the thought of a partnership between her and WSL top-scorer Shaw, now the stuff of nightmares.
Waiting just in behind, however, could potentially be even more frightening. 21-year-old Mary Fowler started the previous campaign as a substitute but finished it as a pivotal contributor to City’s title challenge.
She will be the key player for City if they are to take that step further with limitless potential for a star still in the infancy of her career.
United’s squad upheaval
Most Manchester United fans had resigned themselves to the fact that Lionesses’ goalkeeper Mary Earps would depart during the summer. An enigmatic figure at the club, Earps has joined Russo, and now top-scorer Nikita Parris as all having recently left the Red Devils.
Have they done well to fill the gaps? Well, the jury is still undecided, but United fans will be banking on two Norwegian arrivals Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet, along with star forward Ella Toone, to have her most productive season to date.
Queenslanders passing the claret baton
West Ham United may have seen their stalwart and captain Mackenzie Arnold depart after four inspired years in London, yet the club have doubled down on ‘Queensland spirit’, a concept many in the sunshine state have attributed to the success of their state’s athletes.
The armband has been passed to Matildas’ midfielder Katrina Gorry, a milestone she reflected on by stating, “It feels as if my whole career has led me to this point.”
Gorry will need to shine as captain if West Ham are to stay in the Super League beyond this season. The club finished one place above the drop and have now seen a large turnover in their first team-squad, with only two incomings that possess WSL experience.
All calm on Merseyside
Both Everton and Liverpool enter the season with very similar squads to last.
For the Reds, Matilda Teagan Micah shined during numerous stints in goal, helping the club rise rapidly to 4th having only been promoted 2 years ago.
The other side of the city have been cruelled off the field, with Everton’s budget slashed due to financial punishments and a new stadium being built. Australian midfielder Clare Wheeler has been a shining light, having accrued 35 appearances in 2 seasons at the Toffees.
With a new Matildas manager expected, Wheeler may become a beneficiary of that new set of eyes, with her form at Everton now under the spotlight.
Who will be the bolter from the blue
Australian manager Dario Vidosic has taken the reigns at Brighton & Hove Albion, a club that has never been afraid to take a chance on an Aussie, with former Sydney FC stars Charli Rule and Mackenzie Hawkesby having signing for the Seagulls, with only the former still at the club.
Vidosic has begun his reign with an enormous coup, as Chelsea star Fran Kirby joins the club for the upcoming season.
Courtney Nevin is another Matilda who could profit from a change of national team management, with the defender hoping for a strong start with Leicester City before the first international break.
New Foxes manager Amandine Miquel is touted for her talent ID in France and has already signed a number of exciting youngsters to join Nevin this campaign.
Aston Villa welcome Brazilian striker Gabi Nunes to the club on a record deal worth $1.75 million (AUD). The Villains had the largest drop between last season and the season prior and will be hoping to a return to European contention this season.
Crystal Palace are newly promoted, and as such, have seen wholesale changes, due to what is seen as the largest jump between a second and first division in women’s football. Seven of the new arrivals contain WSL experience, crucial for what will be a tough campaign ahead.
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