2020–21 Melbourne City FC (women) season

The 2020–21 season was the sixth in the history of Melbourne City Football Club (A-League Women). Managed by Rado Vidošić, Melbourne City finished 7th in their W-League season.

Melbourne City (W-League)
2020–21 season
ChairmanKhaldoon Al Mubarak
ManagerRado Vidošić
StadiumCB Smith Reserve
AAMI Park
Frank Holahan Reserve
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
W-League7th
W-League FinalsDNQ
Top goalscorerAlex Chidiac (3)
Highest home attendance1,975
vs. Brisbane Roar
(31 January 2021)
A-League Women
Lowest home attendance326
vs. Newcastle Jets
(14 March 2021)
A-League Women
Average home league attendance748
Biggest win1–0 (twice)
2–1 (once)
3–2 (once)
Biggest defeat0–6
vs. Melbourne Victory (H)
(10 January 2021)
A-League Women

Review

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Background

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The 2019–20 season saw Melbourne City play through an undefeated season; 11 wins and 1 draw in the regular season to win their second W-League Premiership and a successful Finals series; winning the Grand Final 1–0 against Sydney FC to win their record fourth Championship. The Grand Final won by Melbourne City 1–0 against Sydney FC was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, forcing the match to be played behind closed doors.

Pre-season

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On 22 June 2020, Kyah Simon departed Melbourne City through a mutual contract termination in pursuing overseas opportunities. On 2 July 2020, captain Steph Catley had departed the club for Women's Super League side Arsenal. It was only six days later, that former and fellow teammate Lydia Williams had joined Arsenal on 8 July 2020 along with Steph Catley. Following the end of August, another departure for Rebekah Stott occurred 28 August 2020 also for pursuing overseas opportunities.

 
Teagan Micah with the UCLA Bruins

The A-League and W-League calendar for the 2020–21 season was officially announced on 15 October 2020.[1] The first signing of the season occurred on 24 November 2020, with Teagan Micah joining from Norwegian club Arna-Bjørnar. Two further signings were made the day after, with Hollie Palmer and re-signed Rhali Dobson on 25 November 2020. Another double signing the day after had Leah Davidson and Julia Sardo sign with Melbourne City. The final two signings for the week had Samantha Johnson on the 27th and the return of Teigan Allen on the 28th. This full week included five new players joining the squad and one further re-signing. The full draw for the 2020–21 W-League was released on 30 November 2020;[2] the first match to be kicked off exactly a month later on 30 December away to Sydney FC in a double-header at ANZ Stadium. A further signing on that day was Tori Tumeth; former Junior Matildas player and captain.

 
Emma Checker with Adelaide United in 2018.

On 1 December 2020, City re-signed Chelsea Blissett for the upcoming season. The launch week of the season concluded after numerous signings for the season; the squad so far including one goalkeeper, six defenders, two midfielders and an attacker.[3] with further singings expected. Two days later, goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri returned to City as a playing assistant coach. Winger Tyla-Jay Vlajnic re-signed for City ahead of the season on 7 December 2020 and the signing of defender Jenna McCormick on 9 December 2020. Melbourne City announced a relocation of the club to the City of Casey and City of Greater Dandenong for a brand-new elite sporting facility of a new City Football Academy on 14 December 2020.[4]

Blissett was confirmed with a knee injury ruling her out the entire season on 17 December 2020.[5] A friendly against the Melbourne Victory was played on 19 December 2020 in preparations for the upcoming W-League campaign, resulting in a 3–3 draw via goals by Franny Iermano, Tori Tumeth and Rhali Dobson.[6] On 20 December 2020, City signed Japanese international attacker Chinatsu Kira from Urawa Reds, and re-signed defender Emma Checker the next day. A fixture update was confirmed due to COVID-19 outbreaks on 22 December 2020, forcing the opening match against Sydney FC away to ANZ Stadium to be scrapped and replaced by Brisbane Roar away at Dolphin Stadium on 29 December.[7] A further four rounds for City were confirmed two days later, their away match to Canberra United brought forward due to travel restrictions and border closures based on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Australian Capital Territory,[8] back-to-back home fixtures at Frank Holohan Reserve against Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United in the space of four days, and an away match to Perth Glory.[9] The final pre-season signing occurred on 27 December 2020 with Alex Chidiac becoming the third Matildas player returning from Europe to sign for City this season.

December/January

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Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park; 31 January 2021

City began their W-League campaign on 29 December against the Brisbane Roar away to Dolphin Stadium; nine of City's new signings in the starting line-up, resulting in a 0–0 draw to start off the campaign.[10] Four players were unavailable for Round 2's clash against Canberra United; Chelsea Blissett and Sofia Sakalis with torn ACLs, Alex Chidiac quarantined and Emma Checker in stress fracture.[11] City would then play their first loss of the season on 3 January, going down 2–1 to Canberra through a late winner, dropping from third to sixth place spot.[12] Due to considerable damages at Frank Holohan Reserve; the venue that was to play City's home Melbourne Derby on 10 January was moved to play at CB Smith Reserve and the away derby brought forward to play a week later on 17 January at Epping Stadium.[13] Chidiac had completed quarantine and Thomas-Chinnama promoted for City's squad against Victory on 10 January.[14] Rhali Dobson was also set to play her 100th W-League match in this home derby.[15] The home derby resulted in a 6–0 defeat, ultimately making it City's worst defeat in club history and dropping down to seventh place.[16] The next day saw the signing of Norwegian midfielder Noor Eckhoff for the remainder of the season. With the chance for redemption against the Victory the next week after the heavy defeat, City won the away derby 3–2 to record their first win of the season and move them back up a spot to sixth place.[17]

On 19 January, a double-header was announced with the women's side to play Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on 31 January.[18] Lia Muldeary and Julia Sardo were both promoted in City's squad to take on Adelaide United away on 21 January.[19] City lost to Adelaide 2–1; with a consolation goal for Checker but still falling short and dropping again to seventh place.[20] In ten days time until City's clash with Brisbane at AAMI Park, McCormick returned from injury and Eckhoff completed quarantine coming into the squad to face Brisbane, but Muldeary was unavailable due to hamstring injury.[21] The match despite City coming back to draw from 2–0 down, had Brisbane win 3–2 for another loss for City.[22] City finished their first two months of the campaign with just one win, one draw and four losses; four points total in the first six matches.

February

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Another fixture change had City's home match against the Perth Glory, changed to play Sydney FC instead due to Perth's five-day COVID-19 lockdown.[23] Margot Robbine was another new promotion and Samantha Johnson out due to injury for City's squad to face Sydney on 4 February.[24] On the day before the match against Sydney, the match was to again not be played at Frank Holohan Reserve due to playing surface concerns and was moved to play at AAMI Park behind closed doors.[25] City lost 2–0 to Sydney with the deadlock still at half-time, but Sydney more clinical in the second half.[26] On 10 February, a venue change of City's home match against the Newcastle Jets was to move from Frank Holohan Reserve to CB Smith Reserve and to be played on 13 February.[27]

Palmer and Cain both returned from injury as well as Johnson returning from suspension, but Vlajnic out due to suspension for City's squad to face Newcastle that would have been on 13 February.[28] The match against Newcastle was postponed due to Victoria's five-day COVID-19 lockdown until 17 February.[29][30] The remaining fixtures for the campaign were released on 17 February; none of which were to be postponed.[31] After two byes since City's last match against Sydney and dropping down to eighth place, their squad to face Western Sydney Wanderers on 25 February had Muldeary return from injury and Sardo not selected.[32] City's losing streak continued with a 1–0 loss to Western Sydney keeping City at eighth place spot.[33]

March

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With four matches remaining for City, after a bye in Round 11, proved City out of reach to the Finals series. After works from ground staff of Frank Holohan Reserve, the venue was confirmed to host two of City's home matches against the Western Sydney Wanderers on 11 March and Perth Glory on 25 March, and Kingston Heath Soccer Complex to host City's other home match on 14 March.[34] Allen returned from injury and Vlajnic returned from suspension, and Withers out due to ankle injury for City's squad to face Western Sydney on 11 March.[35] Micah prior to the match was out due to knee injury, meaning Barbieri was to start and play her first game for City since 2017. City lost again to Western Sydney; this time 0–4 at home in what would be their last loss of the season.[36]

With just three days time until City's next match at home against Newcastle, the club signed Sophia Varley on 13 March following Micah's knee injury.[37] and finally win to end their five match losing streak; 1–0 against Newcastle thanks to Kira.[38] With just Palmer promoted to City's squad to face Perth away at Dorrien Gardens on 19 March,[39] City won back-to-back matches; defeating Perth 1–0 via Dobson to move City back up to seventh place in what was also Checker's 100th W-League game.[40] For City's final match of the season this time at home to Perth, Withers returned from injury and Allen unavailable due to foot injury.[41] The day after the squad announcement, Dobson officially retired from her W-League career.[42] City won 2–1 against Perth to finish the season with three consecutive wins after five consecutive losses,[43] as well as it being Dobson's final match also involved her partner with an engagement proposal and said yes.[44]

This season resulted in City's worst season finishing seventh out of nine, with four wins, one draw and seven losses and missing out on the Finals series for just the second time in club history.

Players

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First-team squad

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   AUS Teagan Micah
2 DF   AUS Teigen Allen
5 DF   AUS Tori Tumeth
6 MF   NOR Noor Eckhoff
7 DF   AUS Julia Sardo
8 MF   AUS Hollie Palmer
9 MF   AUS Alex Chidiac
10 FW   JPN Chinatsu Kira
11 FW   AUS Rhali Dobson
12 FW   AUS Harriet Withers
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 MF   AUS Sarah Cain
14 MF   FRA Margot Robinne
15 DF   AUS Emma Checker
17 DF   USA Samantha Johnson
18 MF   AUS Leah Davidson
19 DF   SRB Tyla-Jay Vlajnic
20 MF   AUS Lia Muldeary
21 DF   AUS Jenna McCormick
22 DF   AUS Naomi Thomas-Chinnama
23 GK   AUS Melissa Barbieri

Transfers

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Transfers in

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No. Position Player Transferred from Type/fee Contract length Date Ref.
1 GK Teagan Micah   Arna-Bjørnar Free transfer 1 year 25 November 2020 [45]
8 MF Hollie Palmer Brisbane Roar Free transfer 1 year [46]
18 MF Leah Davidson Brisbane Roar Free transfer 26 November 2020 [47]
7 DF Julia Sardo Perth Glory Free transfer 27 November 2020 [48]
17 DF   Samantha Johnson Retirement Undisclosed fee 1 year 28 November 2020 [49]
2 DF Teigen Allen Melbourne Victory Free transfer 1 year 29 November 2020 [50]
5 DF Tori Tumeth   Sydney University Free transfer 30 November 2020 [51]
21 DF Jenna McCormick Unattached Free transfer 1 year 10 December 2020 [52]
10 FW   Chinatsu Kira   Urawa Red Diamonds Free transfer 21 December 2020 [53]
13 MF Sarah Cain Unattached Free transfer 27 December 2020 [54]
9 MF Alex Chidiac Unattached Free transfer [54]
22 DF Naomi Thomas-Chinnama Unattached Free transfer [54]
14 MF   Margot Robinne Unattached Free transfer [54]
20 MF Lia Muldeary Unattached Free transfer [54]
12 FW Harriet Withers Unattached Free transfer [54]
6 MF   Noor Eckhoff   Kolbotn Free transfer 3 months 12 January 2021 [55]
30 GK Sophia Varley   FFV NTC Injury replacement loan 1 month 12 March 2021 [56]

Transfers out

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No. Position Player Transferred from Type/fee Date Ref.
2 MF   Yukari Kinga   Orca Kamogawa Free transfer 1 February 2020 [57]
3 MF   Lauren Barnes   Orca Kamogawa Loan return 13 February 2020 [58]
22 FW   Ally Watt   North Carolina Courage Loan return 23 March 2020 [59]
10 MF Emily van Egmond   Orlando Pride Loan return [60]
9 FW   Claire Emslie   Orlando Pride Loan return [60]
21 DF Ellie Carpenter   Portland Thorns Loan return 24 March 2020 [61]
7 DF Steph Catley   Arsenal Undisclosed fee 2 July 2020 [62]
17 FW Kyah Simon   PSV Free transfer 4 July 2020 [63]
1 GK Lydia Williams   Arsenal Free transfer 8 July 2020 [64]
6 DF Aivi Luik   Sevilla Free transfer 30 July 2020 [65]
13 DF   Rebekah Stott   Brighton & Hove Albion Undisclosed fee 28 August 2020 [65]
18 FW Katherine Goff   Gold Coast United Free transfer 4 September 2020 [66]
20 MF   Milica Mijatović   Apollon Limassol Free transfer 29 September 2020 [67]
8 MF Nia Stamatopoulos   Alamein Free transfer 5 November 2020 [68]
FW Maja Markovski Melbourne Victory Free transfer 4 December 2020 [69]
11 FW Rhali Dobson Retired 25 March 2021 [70]

Contract extensions

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No. Position Player Duration Date Ref.
11 FW Rhali Dobson 1 year 26 November 2020 [71]
4 DF Chelsea Blissett 1 year 1 December 2020 [72]
23 GK Melissa Barbieri 1 year 3 December 2020 [73]
19 DF Tyla-Jay Vlajnic 1 year 8 December 2020 [74]
15 DF Emma Checker 1 year 21 December 2020 [75]

Pre-season and friendlies

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  Win   Draw   Loss

19 December 2020 Melbourne City   3–3   Melbourne Victory Melbourne
Report
  • (unknown)   2', 27', ?'
Stadium: City Football Academy

Competitions

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Overall record

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Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
W-League 29 December 2020 25 March 2021 Matchday 1 7th 12 4 1 7 11 23 −12 033.33
Total 12 4 1 7 11 23 −12 033.33

Source: Soccerway

W-League

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Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
12 4 1 7 11 23  −12 13 2 0 4 5 16  −11 2 1 3 6 7  −1

Source: KEEPUP

Results by round

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Round123456789101112121314
GroundAAHAAHHBBABHHAH
ResultDLLWLLLBBLBLWWW
Position367677778888877
Points11144444444471013
Source: KEEPUP
A = Away; H = Home; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Sydney FC 12 9 1 2 26 11 +15 28 Qualification to Finals series
2 Brisbane Roar 12 7 4 1 29 12 +17 25
3 Melbourne Victory (C) 12 7 2 3 25 14 +11 23
4 Canberra United 12 6 4 2 21 16 +5 22
5 Adelaide United 12 7 1 4 22 18 +4 22
6 Western Sydney Wanderers 12 4 1 7 13 21 −8 13
7 Melbourne City 12 4 1 7 11 23 −12 13
8 Newcastle Jets 12 2 1 9 14 21 −7 7
9 Perth Glory 12 0 1 11 7 32 −25 1
Source: A-Leagues
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions


Matches

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The league fixtures were announced on 30 November 2020.[2]

  Win   Draw   Loss

29 December 2020 1 Brisbane Roar 0–0 Melbourne City Brisbane
15:35 AEST Report Stadium: Kayo Stadium
Attendance: 1,174
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Note: Match originally set to play Sydney FC away at ANZ Stadium scheduled for 30 December, but scrapped due to COVID-19 outbreaks in New South Wales. It was replaced by Brisbane Roar away at Dolphin Stadium rescheduled to 29 December.[7]
3 January 2021 2 Canberra United 2–1 Melbourne City Canberra
16:05 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Viking Park
Attendance: 1,398
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Note: Match originally scheduled for 10 January, but rescheduled due to travel restrictions and border closures based on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Australian Capital Territory.[8] It was rescheduled to 3 January.[9]
10 January 2021 3 Melbourne City 0–6 Melbourne Victory Melbourne
16:05 AEDT Report
Stadium: CB Smith Reserve
Attendance: 729
Referee: Lachlan Keevers
Note: Match originally scheduled for 28 January, but rescheduled to 10 January at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.[9] Match was then changed to take place at CB Smith Reserve, due to considerable damages of the Frank Holohan Soccer Complex pitch.[13]
17 January 2021 4 Melbourne Victory 2–3 Melbourne City Melbourne
16:05 AEDT Report
Stadium: Epping Stadium
Attendance: 1,034
Referee: Danielle Anderson
Note: Match originally scheduled for 27 February, but rescheduled to 17 January.[13]
21 January 2021 5 Adelaide United 2–1 Melbourne City Adelaide
16:35 ACDT
Report
Stadium: Marden Sports Complex
Attendance: 912
Referee: Isabella Blaess
Note: Match originally scheduled for 26 March, but rescheduled to 21 January.[13]
31 January 2021 6 Melbourne City 2–3 Brisbane Roar Melbourne
16:05 AEDT
Report
Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 1,975
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Note: Match originally scheduled for 7 March, but rescheduled to 31 January at AAMI Park.[18]
4 February 2021 7 Melbourne City 0–2 Sydney FC Melbourne
19:05 AEDT Report
Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
Referee: Isabella Blaess
Note: Match originally set to play Perth Glory home, but scrapped due to Perth's five-day COVID-19 lockdown. It was replaced by Sydney FC home.[23] Match was then changed to take place at AAMI Park behind closed doors, due to considerable damages of the Frank Holohan Soccer Complex pitch and player welfare.[25]
25 February 2021 10 Western Sydney Wanderers 1–0 Melbourne City Sydney
19:05 AEDT
Report Stadium: Blacktown Football Park 1
Attendance: 334
Referee: Isabella Blaess
11 March 2021 12 Melbourne City 0–4 Western Sydney Wanderers Melbourne
19:05 AEDT Report
Stadium: Frank Holohan Reserve
Attendance: 547
Referee: Casey Reibelt
14 March 2021 12 Melbourne City 1–0 Newcastle Jets Melbourne
16:05 AEDT
Report Stadium: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Attendance: 326
Referee: Isabella Libri
19 March 2021 13 Perth Glory 0–1 Melbourne City Perth
18:35 AWST Report
Stadium: Dorrien Gardens
Attendance: 271
Referee: Kelly Jones
25 March 2021 14 Melbourne City 2–1 Perth Glory Melbourne
19:05 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Frank Holohan Reserve
Attendance: 454
Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.

No. Pos. Nat. Name W-League Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK   Teagan Micah 8 0 8 0
2 DF   Teigen Allen 4+2 0 6 0
5 DF   Tori Tumeth 11+1 0 12 0
6 MF   Noor Eckhoff 7 0 7 0
7 DF   Julia Sardo 0+2 0 2 0
8 MF   Hollie Palmer 8 0 8 0
9 MF   Alex Chidiac 9+1 3 10 3
10 FW   Chinatsu Kira 10+1 1 11 1
11 FW   Rhali Dobson 8+4 2 12 2
12 FW   Harriet Withers 4+4 1 8 1
13 MF   Sarah Cain 3+3 0 6 0
14 MF   Margot Robinne 2+3 0 5 0
15 DF   Emma Checker 8+1 1 9 1
17 DF   Samantha Johnson 8+3 1 11 1
18 MF   Leah Davidson 12 0 12 0
19 DF   Tyla-Jay Vlajnic 11 0 11 0
20 MF   Lia Muldeary 0+4 0 4 0
21 DF   Jenna McCormick 10 1 10 1
22 DF   Naomi Thomas-Chinnama 5+1 0 6 0
23 GK   Melissa Barbieri 4 0 4 0

Disciplinary record

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Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.

Rank No. Pos. Nat. Name W-League Total
               
1 19 DF   Tyla-Jay Vlajnic 1 0 1 1 0 1
2 17 DF   Samantha Johnson 5 0 0 5 0 0
3 5 DF   Tori Tumeth 2 0 0 2 0 0
21 DF   Jenna McCormick 2 0 0 2 0 0
5 1 GK   Teagan Micah 1 0 0 1 0 0
2 DF   Teigen Allen 1 0 0 1 0 0
6 MF   Noor Eckhoff 1 0 0 1 0 0
9 MF   Alex Chidiac 1 0 0 1 0 0
10 FW   Chinatsu Kira 1 0 0 1 0 0
11 FW   Rhali Dobson 1 0 0 1 0 0
12 FW   Harriet Withers 1 0 0 1 0 0
15 DF   Emma Checker 1 0 0 1 0 0
18 MF   Leah Davidson 1 0 0 1 0 0
20 MF   Lia Muldeary 1 0 0 1 0 0
22 DF   Naomi Thomas-Chinnama 1 0 0 1 0 0
Total 21 0 1 21 0 1

Clean sheets

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Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.

Rank No. Nat. Goalkeeper W-League Total
1 23   Melissa Barbieri 2 2
2 1   Teagan Micah 1 1
Total 3 3

References

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