Dubbed as the future captain of the national team by her peers, Matilda and Orlando Pride defender Stephanie Catley is enjoying her time in the US.
Catley, who has not had a break from football in almost two years says she feels fantastic. The 22-year-old started in both games for Orlando in their inaugural NWSL season.
The first game played away to Portland Thorns attracted over 15,000 people, subsequently a healthy 23,000 rocked up Orlando’s first ever game at home against Houston Dash.
With the likes of Kaka in the men’s team in the MLS as well as Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy) and David Villa (New York City), Catley suggested there was strong work ethic in the US which looked to reach the highest standards and improve quality each season, something which she thought drew in players and attendances.
“I think the big names come from what the entire league is about. You’ve got Americans here who are either straight out of college or in the US national team, they have this incredible mentality to continually get better, work hard and get the best out of themselves,” Catley said.
“That’s something that drew me to the league, I came here and I think I’ve grown as a player and I’m always pushing myself at training and working hard.
“I’ve taken time to work on stuff technically and I think that’s why most of the best players in the world come to the league and that’s what draws the crowds as well.
“I’m loving it so far, it’s very hot over here so a little bit of adjusting to do compared to Melbourne, but the football club is amazing and the club really cares about the women’s team.”
Despite the fact she has played in front of large crowds, a lot of women back in the W-League have not been privileged enough to experience it.
However Catley said the atmosphere at Orlando was something different.
“It’s amazing, I played in Portland last year, they get huge crowds like that pretty consistently, so I’m used to it over there, but I suppose back then it was them supporting me rather than booing against me,” she joked.
“The crowd we had in Orlando was something entirely different, it was so loud and supportive. It was out first game in front of them, everyone knew who we were and everyone knew our names and were right behind us. There’s something really special about this place and the fans are incredible here.”
Catley’s name will go down as the first goal scorer for the club after she managed to find the corner of the net from an indirect free kick against her former team Portland Thorns.
The left-back was humble about it, conceding it was more of a fortuitous goal as it ended up in the net.
“I didn’t really celebrate I never have anything interesting, I got swarmed by my teammates and one of them jumped on me from the front and then someone came running in from the back and we ended up falling over, so wasn’t anything classy at all,” she said.
“It was a bit of a surprise, I’ve been practicing my free kicks while I’ve been over here. It’s amazing, a lot of people thanked me after the game.
“It’s going to go down in history as the first goal for the club, so that’s pretty cool, but definitely un-expected.”
Despite being so far away from home Catley said there were no worries of homesickness. Club and country teammate Laura Alleway was also in the squad.
The pair enjoyed the success they had in their undefeated season at Melbourne City last season, where they finished first and won the Grand Final at home and Catley said it helped having her aroud.
“We share an apartment together with a Brazilian as well. It’s amazing having her here, I’ve been in the US for the last two years,” she said.
“Anyone from our national team that you have at your club, it’s like you’re coming in with a family member.
“We’ve known each other for that long so it’s lovely to have her here and hear an Aussie accent around every now and then.”
Being the first female on the cover of popular videogame FIFA for the 2016 Australian edition, she had a magnanimous approach, saying perhaps it was someone else’s turn for next season.
“I haven’t even thought about that, I’m not sure, I don’t think so,” she said.
“Surely they’ll change it up, who knows, I was happy having it this year. Hopefully one of the other girls gets it. That would be awesome.”
Catley said she would also put in a good word for the A-League to encourage Kaka to play down under.
“I haven’t (told him to come to the A-League), but I might sneak that in there next time, get him down to City,” she said.
“I’ve had a few good conversations here and there, we were admiring his Ferrari the other day and pretending to take his keys. He’s a lovely man and a class footballer and he’s so much fun to watch.”
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