Catley savors Matildas’ surge

It has been a magical year on the pitch for defender Steph Catley.

In addition to the euphoria of helping the Orlando Pride clinch the first National Women’s Soccer League playoff bid in franchise history, Catley has been part of a historic surge in support for the Australian women’s national team better known as the Matildas.

After a series of high profile wins, two sold-out crowds cheered on the Matildas during friendly wins over Brazil during the past two weeks.

Local media outlets described the matches as historic and “the moment the Matildas arrived,” noting it was the first Australian women’s soccer sellout that wasn’t affiliated with the Olympics.

“It was incredible,” Catley said of the first match in Penrith.

“I’ve never felt anything like it in Australia. The amount of media attention, fans, people knowing who you were in the streets. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. It was loud and everyone was excited and wearing green and gold.

“To get a record crowd in that second game, that was just magic.”

The Australian team roster features Catley and Pride midfielder Alanna Kennedy along with numerous other National Women’s Soccer League players, including elite goal-scorer Samantha Kerr.

Those players have toiled together for years, but their recent Tournament of Nations win and rare home matchups against a strong Brazilian lineup helped set up a special experience.

“It’s a massive change,” Catley said. “... We didn’t play many home games when I started with the national team. There was maybe max a couple of thousand of people, depending on where it was.

“To see where it’s come now, I think it’s a testament to the direction we’re going as a team and we’re starting to beat some of the best teams in the world. I think it’s a testament to where we’re going as a squad and some of the wins we’ve had and the football we’re playing.”

Pride coach Tom Sermanni, who led the Matildas earlier in his career, was delighted to see the breakthrough.

“In the past, the Australian program’s captured the imagination from time to time, but it’s been based mainly around World Cups or Asian Cups. But now, people are starting to recognize the players for how good they are,” he said.

Pride forward Jasmyne Spencer has spent a few NWSL offseasons playing in the W-League, Australia’s club system.

She was happy the Matildas got a chance to play in front of sold-out crowds and W-League players just landed a new compensation agreement.

“I think the first year I went over there was 2014. Even the W-League over there was pretty small and low-key, there weren’t that many Americans flocking over there,” she said. “To see it grow has just been amazing.”