3 minute read

More Australians could be heading to National Women's Soccer League if talks to link up the W-League and America's top women's competition are successful.

Alongside the Women's World Cup, Australian football chiefs are meeting with their American counterparts to explore tie-ups for their domestic women's competitions.

Formalised links between clubs, player trades, fixture alignment and sharing of information between the W-League and National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) are all on the table as the two countries seek a counterweight to the growing influence of European competitions.

Matildas skipper Sam Kerr, one of several Australians to play in both leagues already, called the move "awesome".

"At Chicago, we've had five or six girls go to the W-League at different times. Our coaches talk to clubs and try to get more Chicago girls there," she told AAP.

The talks are exploratory, though if the first week of the World Cup is anything to go by, very timely.

Both American and Australian executives and coaches believe they're losing an arms race to European nations that have spent up big on women's programs.

The rise of European football has been predicted, and confirmed, by the matches in France.

In the first six games pitting a European nation against a non-European side - including Australia's clash with Italy - the Europeans have all triumphed.

There are many reasons why formalising links could work to both parties' advantage.

Both competitions presently have nine clubs - though both are looking at expansion - meaning sister clubs are a possibility.

For players, a combined Australian and American season would run for 10 months, allowing them to maximise playing and earning capacity.

Getting on the same page would also help clubs manage players' workloads better and avoid injuries.

Kerr believes injury management would be crucial.

With loads already stretched due to the World Cup, there could be fewer Americans than usual making the trek Down Under next season.

"Right now in Chicago, we're having some injury problems, because girls have done three back-to-back seasons," she said.

"There's people that will still come out, but I think coaches are a little bit more wanting to take care of their players."

Katrina Gorry and Lydia Williams, also veterans of the Australia-American circuit, also endorsed closer relations.

"It'll be great for our league and definitely be great for the players that do play in the W-League to play in a professional league and mix with some world class players as well," Gorry said.

Williams said while the W-League was unlikely to ever be the world's strongest, it could compete for star players.

"The good thing about the W-League is it's such a drawcard to play in Australia in summer," she said.

"The medical support what we have is second to none. We just kind of get that stuff right especially with in the PFA helping out.

"The W-League is a league that international players will want to come to, even if it's for one season, because it's Australia."