| 2023–24 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | City Football Group | |||
| Chairman | Khaldoon Al Mubarak | |||
| Manager | Dario Vidošić | |||
| Stadium | AAMI Park City Football Academy | |||
| A-League Women | 1st | |||
| A-League Women Finals | Runners-up | |||
| Top goalscorer | League:Hannah Wilkinson (9) All: Hannah Wilkinson (10) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 7,671 vs.Sydney FC (4 May 2024) A-League Women Grand Final | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 263 vs.Adelaide United (18 February 2024) A-League Women | |||
| Average home league attendance | 1,615 | |||
| Biggest win | 5–0 vs. Adelaide United (A) (6 January 2024) A-League Women | |||
| Biggest defeat | 1–3 (3 times) 0–2 (once) | |||
The2023–24 season was the ninth in the history ofMelbourne City FC (women). They were managed byDario Vidošić.
The2022–23 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 toppersSydney FC andWestern United brought City down to third place, and winning only one of their last five regular season matches to finish 3rd and lose theelimination-final toMelbourne Victory 4–1 onpenalties after a 3–3 draw.
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Katie Bowen andHannah Wilkinson were both called up toNew Zealand's squad for the2023 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 clubBrighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee on 11 August 2023.Emma Checker departed the club on 21 August 2023, later joining arch-rivalsMelbourne Victory. The first fixture of the2023–24 A-League Women was confirmed with City to play their opening match away toWellington 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 newCity Football Academy inCranbourne East.[4] MidfidlerLaura Hughes signed for City fromCanberra United for the season on 25 August 2023. Canadian goalkeeperLysianne Proulx joined City the day after on a two-year deal. On 29 August 2023, McKenna sistersLeticia re-signed for two further seasons and Tijan joining City from thePerth Glory. Further re-signings ofNaomi 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 toCanada's squad for the2024 Summer Olympics qualification and Wilkinson and Stott being called up to New Zealand's friendly againstChile.[5] American defenderTaylor Otto signed for the season fromGotham FC on 19 September 2023. 43-year-old goalkeeperMelissa 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 againstMelbourne Victory resulting in a 3–0 win atThe Home of the Matildas thanks to goals by Hansen, Wilkinson and Pollicina.[6] City's final pre-season signing on 14 October 2023 hadKarly Roestbakken return to City for the 2023–24 season.
A clear squad was confirmed for the first match of the2023–24 A-League Women campaign against theWellington Phoenix,[7] and the match resulting in a 1–0 win for City via the winning goal byHannah 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 inSydney in replacement of the deal of the next two Grand Finals played in Sydney, where City's Round 12 fixture against theWestern Sydney Wanderers on 14 January 2023 was moved fromWanderers Football Park toCommBank Stadium.[9]
Proulx was again called up forCanada on 19 October 2023 for their two friendlies againstBrazil.[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 faceCanberra United in their home return match.[11] The day after, four players were called up to theYoung Matildas' squad for the2024 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]
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 againstWestern United.[14] It resulted in a 2–2 draw atCity 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 theWestern 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 thePFA Player of the Month for October.[17] The day after, McNamara got called up to theMatildas squad for their two friendlies againstCanada in December 2023[18]
City won 3–2 against theNewcastle 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 toppersPerth 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; againstSydney FC resulted in a 3–2 win for City heading into the international break top of the table.[21] Stott forNew Zealand, Proulx forCanada for and Ekic forBosnia and Herzegovina were each called up to their national team squads for the international window on 27 November.[22] City's home fixture against thePerth Glory 9 December; originally set to be played at theCity Football Academy field, was relocated toB.T. Connor Reserve, due to ongoing constructions.[23]
Roestbakken returned from injury in return to the squad againstPerth 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 theCentral 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 theMelbourne Victory viaEkic'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 theBrisbane Roar with Ekic claiming a hat-trick.[30]
On 6 January; away to Adelaide at theMarden 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]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
| No. | Position | Player | Transferred from | Type/fee | Contract length | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | FW | Rebekah Stott |  Brighton & Hove Albion | Undisclosed fee | 2 years | 11 August 2023 | [32] |
| 14 | MF | Laura Hughes | Canberra United | Free transfer | 1 year | 25 August 2023 | [33] |
| 44 | GK |  Lysianne Proulx |  Torreense | Free transfer | 2 years | 26 August 2023 | [34] |
| 19 | MF | Tijan McKenna | Perth Glory | Free transfer | 1 year | 29 August 2023 | [35] |
| 5 | DF |  Taylor Otto | Gotham FC | Free transfer | 1 year | 19 September 2023 | [36] |
| 15 | MF | Kiera Meyers | Unattached | Free transfer | 2 years scholarship | 12 October 2023 | [37] |
| 2 | DF | Leia Varley | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year scholarship | 12 October 2023 | [37] |
| 11 | FW |  Emina Ekic | Racing Louisville | Free transfer | 2 years | 10 November 2023 | [38] |
| 12 | MF | Shelby McMahon |  Gold Coast Knights | Injury replacement | 5 months | 24 January 2024 | [39] |
| 88 | GK |  Bárbara | Unattached | Free transfer | 4 months | 28 February 2024 | [40] |
| 30 | GK | Emily Shields | Bulleen Lions | Injury replacement loan | 1 match | 4 May 2024 | [41] |
| No. | Position | Player | Transferred to | Type/fee | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | DF | Emma Checker | Melbourne Victory | End of contract | 21 August 2023 | [42] |
| 4 | DF | Chelsea Blissett | Brisbane Roar | End of contract | 24 August 2023 | [43] |
| 5 | DF | Tori Tumeth | Sydney FC | Free transfer | 25 August 2023 | [44] |
| 19 | FW |  María José Rojas | Canberra United | Free transfer | 4 September 2023 | [45] |
| 14 | MF |  Katie Bowen |  Inter Milan | End of contract | 8 September 2023 | [46] |
| 25 | MF | Darcey Malone | Sydney FC | Free transfer | 13 October 2023 | [47] |
| 8 | DF | Kaitlyn Torpey | San Diego Wave | Undisclosed | 6 February 2024 | [48] |
| 44 | GK | Lysianne Proulx | Bay FC | Undisclosed | 9 February 2024 | [49] |
| No. | Position | Player | Duration | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Leah Davidson | Defender | 2 years | 23 August 2023 | [50] |
| 9 | Holly McNamara | Forward | 2 years | [50] | |
| 10 | Rhianna Pollicina | Midfielder | 2 years | [50] | |
| 7 | Julia Grosso | Midfielder | 2 years | 24 August 2023 | [51] |
| 6 | Leticia McKenna | Midfielder | 2 years | 29 August 2023 | [35] |
| 3 | Naomi Chinnama | Defender | 1 year | 30 August 2023 | [52] |
| 24 | Daniela Galic | Midfielder | 1 year | [52] | |
| 17 | Hannah Wilkinson | Forward | 1 year | 8 September 2023 | [53] |
| 23 | Melissa Barbieri | Goalkeeper | 1 year | 27 September 2023 | [54] |
| 1 | Sophia Varley | Goalkeeper | 2 years | 3 October 2023 | [55] |
| 21 | Isabella Accardo | Midfielder | 1 year | 3 October 2023 | [55] |
| 16 | Karly Roestbakken | Defender | 1 year | 14 October 2023 | [56] |
Win Draw Loss
v Melbourne City| 1 October 2023 | Melbourne Victory | 0–3 | Melbourne City | Melbourne |
| 11:30AEDT | Report | Stadium:The Home of the Matildas |
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
| A-League Women | 15 October 2023 | 31 March 2024 | Matchday 1 | 1st | 22 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 40 | 29 | +11 | 054.55 |
| A-League Women Finals | 21 April 2024 | 4 May 2024 | Semi-finals | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 066.67 |
| Total | 25 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 46 | 30 | +16 | 056.00 | ||||
Source:Soccerway
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne City | 22 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 40 | 29 | +11 | 41 | Qualification toFinals series and2024–25 AFC Women's Champions League |
| 2 | Sydney FC(C) | 22 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 31 | 20 | +11 | 39 | Qualification toFinals series |
| 3 | Western United | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 37 | 34 | +3 | 36 | |
| 4 | Melbourne Victory | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 44 | 29 | +15 | 36 | |
| 5 | Central Coast Mariners | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 31 | 24 | +7 | 35 |
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 40 | 28 | +12 | 41 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 15 | +7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 13 | +5 |
Source:KEEPUP
The final league fixtures were announced on 24 August 2023.[58]
Win Draw Loss
| 15 October 20231 | Wellington Phoenix | 0–1 | Melbourne City | Wellington |
| 15:00NZDT | Report |
| Stadium:Sky Stadium Attendance: 2,505 Referee: Beth Rattray |
| 21 October 20232 | Melbourne City | 2–1 | Canberra United | Melbourne |
| 14:45AEDT | Report |
| Stadium:AAMI Park Attendance: 2,138 Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley |
| 5 November 20233 | Western United | 2–2 | Melbourne City | Melbourne |
| 16:00AEDT | Report | Stadium:City Vista Recreation Reserve Attendance: 1,723 Referee: Bec Mackie |
| 12 November 20234 | Melbourne City | 4–3 | Western Sydney Wanderers | Melbourne |
| 17:45AEDT | Report | Stadium:AAMI Park Attendance: 2,010 Referee: Isabella Libri |
| 19 November 20235 | Newcastle Jets | 2–3 | Melbourne City | Newcastle |
| 16:00AEDT |
| Report | Stadium:Newcastle Number 2 Sports Ground Attendance: 3,207 Referee: Asaka Koizumi |
| 26 November 20236 | Sydney FC | 2–3 | Melbourne City | Sydney |
| 16:00AEDT | Report | Stadium:Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre Attendance: 3,937 Referee: Georgia Ghirardello | ||
| Note: Match delayed for 30 minutes after the 75th minute due to lightning. It was restarted at the 76th minute. | ||||
| 9 December 20237 | Melbourne City | 1–3 | Perth Glory | Melbourne |
| 16:00AEDT |
| Report |
| Stadium:B.T. Connor Reserve Attendance: 432 Referee:Kate Jacewicz |
| Note: Match originally set to play atCity Football Academy, but changed due to ongoing constructions at the venue. It was relocated toB.T. Connor Reserve.[23] | ||||
| 15 December 20238 | Central Coast Mariners | 1–1 | Melbourne City | Gosford |
| 19:30AEDT |
| Report |
| Stadium:Industree Group Stadium Attendance: 1,273 Referee: Caitlin Williams |
| Note: Match originally scheduled for 19:00 AEDT. It was rescheduled to 19:30 AEDT due to power outages. | ||||
| 23 December 20239 | Melbourne City | 1–0 | Melbourne Victory | Melbourne |
| 17:00AEDT |
| Report | Stadium:AAMI Park Attendance: 6,286 Referee:Kate Jacewicz |
| 28 December 202310 | Melbourne City | 5–3 | Brisbane Roar | Melbourne |
| 17:00AEDT | Report | Stadium:AAMI Park Attendance: 2,314 Referee: Rebecca Durcau |
| 6 January 202411 | Adelaide United | 0–5 | Melbourne City | Adelaide |
| 18:30ACDT | Report | Stadium:Marden Sports Complex Attendance: 883 Referee: Isabella Libri |
| 14 January 202412 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 1–0 | Melbourne City | Sydney |
| 17:00AEDT |
| Report | Stadium:CommBank Stadium Attendance: 1,515 Referee: Isabella Blaess |
| 20 January 202413 | Melbourne City | 2–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 17:00AEDT | Report |
| Stadium:City Football Academy Attendance: 1,124 Referee: Isabella Libri |
| 25 January 202414 | Melbourne City | 1–3 | Western United | Melbourne |
| 17:00AEDT |
| Report | Stadium:AAMI Park Attendance: 1,656 Referee: Rebecca Durcau | |
| Note: Match originally scheduled for 28 January atCity Football Academy. | ||||
| 4 February 202415 | Canberra United | 3–1 | Melbourne City | Canberra |
| 17:00AEDT |
| Report |
| Stadium:McKellar Park Attendance: 2,189 Referee: Bec Mackie |
| 10 February 202416 | Melbourne City | 0–0 | Sydney FC | Melbourne |
| 17:30AEDT | Report | Stadium:City Football Academy Attendance: 709 Referee:Casey Reibelt |
| 18 February 202417 | Melbourne City | 1–1 | Adelaide United | Melbourne |
| 17:00AEDT |
| Report |
| Stadium:City Football Academy Attendance: 263 Referee: Rebecca Durcau |
| 2 March 202418 | Brisbane Roar | 2–0 | Melbourne City | Brisbane |
| 17:00AEST | Report | Stadium:Perry Park Attendance: 2,158 Referee: Bec Mackie |
| 10 March 202419 | Melbourne City | 2–0 | Newcastle Jets | Melbourne |
| 18:00AEDT |
| Report | Stadium:City Football Academy Attendance: 375 Referee: Caitlin Williams | |
| Note: Match originally scheduled for 17:00 AEST, but delayed due to extreme heat forecast. It was rescheduled for 17:30 AEDT, then 18:00 AEDT. | ||||
| 17 March 202420 | Melbourne Victory | 0–0 | Melbourne City | Melbourne |
| 14:00AEDT | Report | Stadium:The Home of the Matildas Attendance: 2,012 Referee:Casey Reibelt |
| 23 March 202421 | Melbourne City | 3–0 | Central Coast Mariners | Melbourne |
| 16:00AEDT | Report | Stadium:City Football Academy Attendance: 456 Referee:Kate Jacewicz |
| 31 March 202422 | Perth Glory | 1–2 | Melbourne City | Perth |
| 16:30AWST |
| Report | Stadium:Macedonia Park Attendance: 1,314 Referee: Isabella Mossin |
| 21 April 2024Semi-finals 1st Leg | Newcastle Jets | 0–3 | Melbourne City | Maitland |
| 15:00AEST | Report | Stadium:Maitland Sportsground Attendance: 6,836 Referee: Bec Mackie |
| 28 April 2024Semi-finals 2nd Leg | Melbourne City | 3–0 (6–0agg.) | Newcastle Jets | Melbourne |
| 13:00AEST | Report | Stadium:AAMI Park Attendance: 2,041 Referee: Rebecca Durcau |
| 4 May 2024Grand final | Melbourne City | 0–1 | Sydney FC | Melbourne |
| 16:15AEST | Report |
| Stadium:AAMI Park Attendance: 7,671 Referee:Casey Reibelt |
Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | A-League Women | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular season | Finals series | ||||||||
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 2 | DF | | Leia Varley | 3+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | | Naomi Thomas-Chinnama | 9+5 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | | Taylor Otto | 22 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 2 |
| 6 | MF | | Leticia McKenna | 16+5 | 0 | 1+2 | 1 | 24 | 1 |
| 7 | DF | | Julia Grosso | 11+4 | 1 | 2+1 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| 9 | FW | | Holly McNamara | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| 10 | FW | | Rhianna Pollicina | 20+1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 6 |
| 11 | FW | | Emina Ekic | 15+3 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 8 |
| 12 | MF | | Shelby McMahon | 2+3 | 1 | 0+2 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| 13 | DF | | Rebekah Stott | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| 14 | MF | | Laura Hughes | 21+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | | Kiera Meyers | 2+6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | | Karly Roestbakken | 11+4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | | Hannah Wilkinson | 19+1 | 9 | 2+1 | 1 | 23 | 10 |
| 18 | MF | | Leah Davidson | 6+8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | | Tijan McKenna | 3+9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | | Caitlin Karic | 0+3 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | | Isabella Accardo | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 22 | FW | | Bryleeh Henry | 8+8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | | Melissa Barbieri | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | | Daniela Galic | 16+3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 7 |
| 88 | GK | | Bárbara | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Player(s) transferred out but featured this season | |||||||||
| 8 | MF | | Kaitlyn Torpey | 12+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| 44 | GK | | Lysianne Proulx | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
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 | A-League Women | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular season | Finals series | ||||||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |||||
| 1 | 11 | FW | | Emina Ekic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 14 | MF | | Laura Hughes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 10 | FW | | Rhianna Pollicina | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 7 | DF | | Julia Grosso | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 5 | DF | | Taylor Otto | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | | Leticia McKenna | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | DF | | Karly Roestbakken | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 19 | FW | | Tijan McKenna | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | FW | | Caitlin Karic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 0 | ||||
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 | A-League Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular season | Finals series | |||||
| 1 | 88 | | Bárbara | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 2 | 44 | | Lysianne Proulx | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | 23 | | Melissa Barbieri | 1 | 0 (1) | 1 (1) |
| Total | 7 | 2 (1) | 9 (1) | |||
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.
