The 2022–23 season saw a perfect start in three matches into the top of the table towards Round 8; the last time they would finish a round in 1st place. Fellow undefeated matches kept City in second place during the time, until further losses to toppers Sydney FC and Western United brought City down to third place, and winning only one of their last five regular season matches to finish 3rd and lose the elimination-final to Melbourne Victory 4–1 on penalties after a 3–3 draw.
Katie Bowen and Hannah Wilkinson were both called up to New Zealand's squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on 3 July 2023.[1]Rebekah Stott as City's first signing of the season, returned on a two-year deal from English club Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee on 11 August 2023. Emma Checker departed the club on 21 August 2023, later joining arch-rivals Melbourne Victory. The first fixture of the 2023–24 A-League Women was confirmed with City to play their opening match away to Wellington Phoenix.[2] On 23 August 2023, Rhianna Pollicina, Holly McNamara and Leah Davidson all re-signed for City on two-year deals. The day after, Chelsea Blissett departed City after agreeing on a mutual contract termination. The final fixtures for the 2023–24 A-League Women season were confirmed on 24 August 2023;[3] setting all standalone home matches at their new City Football Academy in Cranbourne East.[4] Midfidler Laura Hughes signed for City from Canberra United for the season on 25 August 2023. Canadian goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx joined City the day after on a two-year deal. On 29 August 2023, McKenna sisters Leticia re-signed for two further seasons and Tijan joining City from the Perth Glory. Further re-signings of Naomi Chinnama and Daniela Galic for the 2023–24 season occurred the day after.
On 8 September 2023, Hannah Wilkinson coming off the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with New Zealand, re-signed for her third season with City. On 11 September 2023, Proulx was called up to Canada's squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics qualification and Wilkinson and Stott being called up to New Zealand's friendly against Chile.[5] American defender Taylor Otto signed for the season from Gotham FC on 19 September 2023. 43-year-old goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri re-signed on 27 September 2023 to play her seventh season for City. On 3 October 2023, Isabella Accardo re-signed for one season and Sophia Varley for two seasons; that day also playing a friendly against Melbourne Victory resulting in a 3–0 win at The Home of the Matildas thanks to goals by Hansen, Wilkinson and Pollicina.[6] City's final pre-season signing on 14 October 2023 had Karly Roestbakken return to City for the 2023–24 season.
Starting line-up for the A-League Women match against Wellington Phoenix on 15 November
A clear squad was confirmed for the first match of the 2023–24 A-League Women campaign against the Wellington Phoenix,[7] and the match resulting in a 1–0 win for City via the winning goal by Hannah Wilkinson in the second half, into fourth place spot.[8] On 18 October 2023, the Unite Round was introduced, a round where all matches are played in Sydney in replacement of the deal of the next two Grand Finals played in Sydney, where City's Round 12 fixture against the Western Sydney Wanderers on 14 January 2023 was moved from Wanderers Football Park to CommBank Stadium.[9]
Proulx was again called up for Canada on 19 October 2023 for their two friendlies against Brazil.[10] Roestbakken and Davidson were both out due to injuries, while Sophia and Leia Varley, Meyers and Accardo were all promoted for City's squad to face Canberra United in their home return match.[11] The day after, four players were called up to the Young Matildas' squad for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup those being Tijan McKenna, Galic, Chinnama and Karic.[12] The home return match against Canberra, resulted in a 2–1 win for City going back-to-back wins to start the campaign thanks to a Pollicina brace.[13]
November
After the international break, City promoted three players; Leia Varley, Meyers and Accardo, with Roestbakken and Davidson returning from injuries, but Henry out due to knee injury for their squad against Western United.[14] It resulted in a 2–2 draw at City Vista Recreation Reserve, despite City coming from behind and the match being drawn for their first draw of the season, and moving back up to second place.[15]Emina Ekic returned to the club and signed a two-year deal on 10 November. City went back to winning ways, defeating the Western Sydney Wanderers 4–3 at home, the opening goal via a penalty by Pollicina and a hat-trick for McNamara.[16] On 17 November, McNamara was named in the PFA Player of the Month for October.[17] The day after, McNamara got called up to the Matildas squad for their two friendlies against Canada in December 2023[18]
City won 3–2 against the Newcastle Jets after scoring the opening goal through Galic, then conceding two goals in the first half and where a McNamara brace won the match for City in the last 10 minutes ultimately keeping second place spot, only one goal difference lower than toppers Perth Glory.[19] On 21 November, it was confirmed that Holly McNamara suffered an ACL injury in her right knee for the remainder of the season.[20] Another away trip; against Sydney FC resulted in a 3–2 win for City heading into the international break top of the table.[21] Stott for New Zealand, Proulx for Canada for and Ekic for Bosnia and Herzegovina were each called up to their national team squads for the international window on 27 November.[22] City's home fixture against the Perth Glory 9 December; originally set to be played at the City Football Academy field, was relocated to B.T. Connor Reserve, due to ongoing constructions.[23]
December
Roestbakken returned from injury in return to the squad against Perth Glory,[24] and would be without Grosso due to injury. It resulted in a 3–1 loss at home for City; their first loss of the season, losing top spot to Perth regaining top of the table.[25] On 11 December, Daniela Galic was nominated as the A-League Women Young Footballer of the Year for November.[26] Grosso returned to the squad to face the Central Coast Mariners away.[27] The match being City's first against the Central Coast, resulted in a 1–1 draw.[28] Returning home, City won 1–0 against the Melbourne Victory via Ekic's first half goal to regain first place.[29] Only five days on, City extends their lead at the top of the table, with a 5–3 win over the Brisbane Roar with Ekic claiming a hat-trick.[30]
January
On 6 January; away to Adelaide at the Marden Sports Complex resulted in a 5–0 win for City with Galic scoring a first half hat-trick, bringing her tally to five for the season as well as goals by Torpey and Wilkinson.[31]
Players
First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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.
^ ab"ALW Squad Numbers: Who's wearing what?". Melbourne City. 12 October 2023. We are also excited to announce the signings of midfielder Kiera Meyers and defender Leia Varley on scholarship contracts ahead of the season getting underway this Sunday.
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