Flying Kiwis – March 26
Maggie Jenkins - Gaziantep ALG Spor (Turkish Süper Ligi)
You know who’s been scoring and creating goals all season but hasn’t been recalled to the Football Ferns even as they make a point about expanding the depth of the squad? Maggie Jenkins, that’s who...
Jenkins was one of the unluckier absentees when the squad for the Chinese Taipei trip was confirmed recently but that only seems to have motivated her because look what she did on the weekend. Three goals in the space of five minutes during the second-half of a very comfortable ALG Spor win way to Çekmeköy. That lot are second-last in the division with the only club below them being the one that withdrew from the competition – Karadeniz, whom ALG Spor were due to face two weeks ago and therefore got a 3-0 default victory which was their only win in the past five games until the trip to Çekmeköy.
ALG Spor have dropped off since star striker Patricia Seteco. They were in need of a hefty win and that’s exactly what they got. You’ll catch an idea of the quality of the opponent by looking at Jenkins’ third goal, where one of the Çekmeköy players hits an awful pass infield that’s intercepted and then just stands there, head in hands, without bothering to try and track back. It wasn’t until the Jenkins flurry that Çekmeköy lost heart though. Neslihan Demirdogen had already scored a hat-trick for ALG Spor (Jenkins played a lovely ball forward in the build up for one of them) to put ALG Spor into a great situation... but the home side pulled one back after 58 minutes to have it 3-1 and a little in doubt.
Then Jenkins went nuts. All top quality finishes from the kiwi forward – who now has 7 goals and 2 assists in the Süper Ligi. Brilliant stuff. As far as attacking production goes, it’s really only Katie Kitching who can rival her from NZ women outside the A-League. Of course, we do have high hopes for Milly Clegg and there are players in more challenging leagues... but it is a surprise that MJ has been overlooked for the last few national team squad. Nevertheless, the song remains the same in Gaziantep. With this win, ALG Spor are back within one point of third place (sitting fifth as it stands).
Up Next: ALG Spor vs Unye at 0:00 on Friday (NZT)
Macey Fraser - Utah Royals (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Last week’s starting role spot didn’t last for Macey Fraser. The Utah Royals were on the road for week two where they faced San Diego Wave, where Aisha Solorzano got the right wing start instead of her. Oh well. Fraser was playing out of position as a wide attacker anyway, plus this is the NWSL where nothing’s supposed to come easy. Here’s the thing though: after the Royals made a defensive change at half-time, Macey Fraser was the next sub summoned. She checked in to replace Solorzano after 59 minutes with the Royals trailing by two goals. They’d conceded after seven minutes (Maria Sanchez), they’d conceded after 37 minutes (Adriana Leon).
Two minutes after Fraser’s introduction, before she’d even touched the ball, Claudi Zornoza scored a wonderful left-footed direct free kick and then ten minutes later Mina Tanaka finished smoothly after Ally Sentnor had played an amazing through ball in behind the defence. Utah Royals back level. And don’t think Macey Fraser didn’t have anything to do with it – her one-two in the midfield was what sparked the move in the first place and then her ball to the feet of Sentnor was exactly where the American playmaker needed it to be able to turn infield and find Tanaka (it was voted Assist of the Week for the NWSL). Brilliant combination football. That’s how it’s done...
One pesky hiccup though... immediately after they’d fought back to level the game, Utah goalie Katie McGlynn passed a goal kick straight to Gio Corley at the top of the box and she whacked it home for the San Diego winner. An absolute giveaway from the Royals, who lost 3-2 as a result. But hey it was while Macey Fraser was on the pitch that they looked most dangerous. File that away under ‘Good Impressions’.
Also guess what? Macey’s got a podcast now. It’s called Sportea and the first episode came out a month ago, with number two arriving in the feeds this week. Chloe Lacasse was on the latest one, she’s a Utah teammate of Fraser’s. The first one was with her Football Ferns teammate Maya Hahn. Good stuff.
Up Next: KC Currents vs Utah Royals on Sunday at 12.30pm (NZT)
Finn Surman - Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)
Five outta five for Finn Surman. Antony, Jimer Fory, and David Ayala are the only other Portland Timbers players to have started every match alongside Finn Surman... and happily this latest one was a huge improvement on the last few. The Timbers were away against Colorado Rapids where a combination of clinical finishing and excellent defending saw them leave with a 3-0 victory in their pockets.
There was an own goal in first half stoppages, then Antony (48’) doubled the lead right after the break. Kevin Kelsy finished things off on 75’. Exactly what the doctor ordered after only one win from four to begin things. The whole team’s performance was good but it was the mahi of a certain Finn Surman that you’re here to read about so lucky for you he was brilliant. Especially in the second half after Portland took control. Surman blocked a couple shots, he picked off a couple dangerous crosses, and he made a whopping 19 defensive clearances. He was a brick wall at the back. Doing what he did at the Wellington Phoenix only translating it to a higher level. Dude was so good they sent him to do post-game media...
Finn Surman: “It’s what I came here to do, what I wanted to do. I want to play. Last season I had limited game time but for me that was important and I learned from that and took it in my stride. I worked hard in the offseason and knew what goals I had coming into this season and what I wanted to achieve. We’re only five games into the season now so there’s still a long, long way to go. I want to be a player that’s relied upon. I want to play with consistency and dominate from the back, that’s a role that I embrace.”
Hard to argue that skipping out on those All Whites wasn’t the best thing for him. Surman used the window to lay down possibly his best performance yet for his new club, leading to a very impressive victory, and with that he can start to feel a lot more comfortable in that starting role. Timbers coach Phil Neville seems to love him and only ever says positive stuff about him (even before he was starting games that was still the case). He’s clearly winning over the fans too because they voted him Man of the Match for the Colorado game.
Five weeks into the MLS season, only Minnesota’s Morris Duggan has made more defensive clearances than Surman (although Duggan’s teammate Michael Boxall might have gotten close if he’d played this week). Minnesota United drew 2-2 with LA Galaxy while Boxy was away. Bill Tuiloma still hasn’t gotten off the bench for Charlotte FC but he might have a chance next week because one of their centre-backs, Andrew Privett, got a red card in the 4-1 win against San Jose.
Up Next: Monday at midday, Portland vs Houston Dynamo (NZT)
Indiah-Paige Riley - Crystal Palace (English Super League)
Indi Riley’s back. She only missed one game with whatever the injury she had was, no dramas. She played off the bench away to Everton but was called upon pretty early and got a decent half hour at right fullback... where she had to deal with Everton constantly sending runners into the channel. The Toffees were already 2-0 up when Riley was introduced (goals from Justine Vanhaevermaet on 43’ and Sara Holmgaard on 46’ on either side of half-time) and would grab a third deep into stoppage time through Kelly Gago. 3-0 to Everton.
Crystal Palace had some decent moments but they were well beaten and remain last on the table. They’re one point behind Aston Villa who are in a bit of freefall (since Anna Leat left) with five matches to go, so plenty of hope remains. But this game didn’t help anything... and they play Arsenal and Chelsea in their next two. Riley nearly scored against Chelsea last time they played. Then again, she did score against Everton in the reverse fixture and that didn’t repeat itself.
There was much better news for Leicester City. They won 3-2 against Brighton to move six points clear of relegation, probably enough to keep them safe for another year. CJ Bott was surprisingly named on the bench for only the second time this season. She’s missed games through injury but when she’s been available she almost always starts and usually does ninety minutes. But CJB missed the Chelsea game a couple weeks ago and was an unused sub in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City last time out. Perhaps not fit enough to start just yet... so Julie Thibaud took her spot at right-back.
Thibaud didn’t have anything to do with it but LCFC were ruthless in the first half, scoring three times thanks mostly to the mobility of their forward line. Goals from Shannon O’Brien (11’), Saori Takarada (35’), and an own goal (45+5’) had them cruising... until Brighton scored twice in the last twenty minutes. The second was a penalty kick (just a few minutes after LCFC had missed a pen themselves, Yuka Momiki the culprit) and it was in the wake of that second Brighton goal that CJ Bott was activated. And CJB took them to the finish line after nine minutes of time added on. Got very nervous there but Leicester City survived for a very important win.
Up Next: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal at 2am on Monday (NZT)
Olivia Chance & Liz Anton – Kolbotn (Norwegian Toppserien)
We haven’t glimpsed Liv Chance on a footy pitch since the 2023 World Cup, when it turns out she was already pregnant. She and husband Robert welcomed baby Tyler into the world in April 2024 and now, after a maternity break, she’s ready to resume her athletic career. OC’s not taking it easy with her comeback either, signing in Norway with top division club Kolbotn where she’ll wear the number 6 jersey and try to raise them up from an eighth place finish in 2024 (out of 10 teams) despite some pretty hefty player turnover between seasons. Straight back into the fire of professional football.
OC: “I’m excited for the challenge in Norway with Kolbotn and grateful for the opportunity they have given me to return to professional football after becoming a mother. I look forward to adaptation to Kolbotn's style of play and adding another dimension to the team set up.”
Vetle Vangstuen, KIF sporting director: “Olivia's experience speaks for itself! When you get the opportunity to get such a resource in every way into the club, then there is a no-brainer. Olivia is very motivated to be back on the football field and we are very happy that we can give her this opportunity. It's a match made in heaven.”
Arild Sundgot, KIF head coach: “Getting Olivia in place is important, and very gratifying. We have had good conversations with Olivia, and it was not long before all parties got a good stomach feeling about this. Olivia will contribute very well both on and off the pitch, and we are proud to be able to give her an opportunity to play professional football again after giving birth!”
Chance didn’t play in week one of the new season... which was just as well since Kolbotn were beaten 6-0 by defending champs Valerenga. The reason for her absence was a common matter of the paperwork not having cleared yet. Might as well use this moment to point out that Betsy Hassett has also recently made her comeback after becoming a mother. She’s rejoined Stjarnan in Iceland, where she has spent most of the last several years outside of that one season with the Wellington Phoenix, getting on the pitch during their League Cup group games. The proper stuff in Finland begins late-April.
But wait there’s more. Lucky for you that the All Whites business pushed Flying Kiwis back to a Wednesday publish because, sneaking under the buzzer, was the news that Liz Anton will also be joining Kolbotn, leaving Canberra United immediately after playing every minute of their 19 A-League games so far this season. Two NZ signings in the space of two weeks. Now that’s a smart football club.
Vetle Vangstuen: “We are extremely happy to have Liz in place with us. She is a regular national team defender for New Zealand and comes with very good experience from a very strong league. This is a solid reinforcement both as a footballer and as a human being in the group, and we are looking forward to this!”
Up Next: Kolbotn vs LSK at 2am on Sunday (NZT)
Grace Neville - London City Lionesses (England Championship)
She’s probably meant that as a cross... but we’ll take it. Banger goal from Grace Neville, who has spent far too much time on the bench this season not to cash in on a rare start. This was only her fourth league start of the season and her first since October (all against bottom-half teams). She got the nod against Sheffield United and made it count by whipping in her team’s third goal on the way to a 4-0 victory. One thing about the Neviller is that she does score goals. This was her first of the campaign but she got three last season (one in each competition).
Yet while Neville was getting a rare start, on the other side Jacqui Hand got a rare benching. Hand has played alright up front for Sheffield United but has struggled to turn that into goals and assists which isn’t the best thing for a team that keeps losing. They need cold, hard cash and therefore Hand found herself watching on until the 83rd minute (shortly after Neville was subbed off). But Olivia Page did earn her way back into the Blades starting team, doing ninety minutes in the back three having been an unused sub in the loss against Portsmouth last time around. So that was nice.
Obviously this result does not help Sheffield United at all. They remain stuck in last place with six points from 16 matches... granted, they’re still within range of safety if they can win a couple of their remaining four fixtures. Blackburn at home on April 21 is the main one to target but this was their most difficult remaining match and now that’s out of the way. The hefty win does wonders for London City Lionesses though. Leaders Birmingham City only drew away to third-placed Charlton so LCL can go first – for the lone promotion spot – if they win their game in hand.
Elsewhere, Durham had the bye so no Mickey Foster or Hannah Blake... but there was a full game for Katie Kitching as Sunderland made the short trip across town to face Newcastle United. Incredible occasion to be part of. They played it at St James Park and a division record crowd of 38,502 turned up to witness the derby. Sadly, Newcastle won 1-0 via a Shania Hayles strike after 77 minutes. Sunderland have lost four of their last five to tumble out of the championship race and down into the bottom half.
Up Next: Newcastle Utd vs London City Lionesses on Monday at 2am (NZT)
Alex Greive - San Antonio FC (American USL Championship)
Yeah choice. Nice work. Love seeing that phone-call celebration again. Alex Greive marked his first start for San Antonio with a goal, after setting one up off the bench in the previous match. That’s the impact he’s looking for. His first touch to create shooting space was especially tasty.
San Antonio went on to win this match 2-1 against Oakland Roots which keeps them perfect after three matches... but there was some bad news to this too. Greive only lasted 35 minutes before needing to be substituted off with an injury. AG collided with the opposition goalkeeper trying to get onto a loose ball in the area, winning a corner kick but getting clattered in the process. Looked to be in plenty of pain. He tried to run it off but the first time he got the ball again, his leg seemed to buckle underneath him. Fingers crossed it was more of a dead leg situation than any kind of structural damage. He did some post-game media and never mentioned the injury so that’s a good sign.
Alex Greive: “Really good performance, I think maybe the first half, we didn’t play out as much as we would’ve liked, but to win anywhere away from home in this league, especially in front of 25,000 [fans], that’s a big result and one we’re really happy with. I think the boys were really excited all week, as soon as we knew it was a sellout, so really excited to play in that sort of atmosphere and I think we got out of the box really quick and unfortunately conceded straight after, but I think we managed it well and ultimately got the win.”
Up Next: Sunday at midday with Lexington SC vs San Antonio... if fit (NZT)
Riley Bidois - Loudoun United (American USL Championship)
Not just once...
But twice...
Two goals for Riley Bidois in US Open Cup action as Loudoun United won 3-1 away to West Chester United – who are based in USL League Two. This was a game that Loudoun were supposed to win and they did exactly that. Maybe with a few nervy moments after conceding first but they took care of business. Bidois scored off the bench in his previous USL Championship game so this is quality work from the man. He also then got twenty minutes off the bench in a 2-0 defeat against Kyle Adams’ Louisville City team back in the league a few days later. Would have been more interesting if he’d scored again but that’s okay. Bidois is on the rise... plus that did mean a clean sheet for Captain Adams at Lou City.
Up Next: Sunday at 9am, Loudoun Utd vs Rhode Island (NZT)
Vic Esson - Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League)
For the third year in a row, Rangers are Scottish League Cup champions... and this time they cruised to it. Rangers beat Hibernian 5-0 in the final despite having failed to beat them in either SWPL meeting so far this season. Hibs are currently sitting top of the SWPL standings but Rangers have so much grand final experience these days that they knew exactly what they needed to do. It took them 38 minutes to get the first goal then pretty soon they were 3-0 up after 50 minutes and a couple of late ones really put the icing on the cake.
Just one wee issue... Vic Esson isn’t the goalie with muddy knees in that picture because she was only on the bench for the final. The goalkeeping rotations at Rangers can be dizzying. After starting seven out of eight games, Esson’s watched the last three from the sideline with Jenna Fife wearing the gloves against Hibernian. Oh well. In fairness, this was the fifth time in a row, between the League Cup and Scottish Cup, that Rangers have made a cup final and Esson had started the last three in a row so it was probably Fife’s turn to experience another one. They both got winners’ medals either way.
Up Next: Monday at 2am at home to Hearts (NZT)
Kate Taylor - Dijon FCO (French Première Ligue)
Another clean sheet win for Dijon against a lower-ranked team with Kate Taylor giving them ninety strong minutes in central defence. We’re getting very used to this story.
Away against Le Havre, it was a more attacking line-up that Dijon selected, meaning Taylor was in a 2CB formation rather than 3CBs, and that paid off when Viktoria Pinther gave them a fifth minute lead... followed by Wu Chengshu making it 2-0 after 25 mins. From there all they had to do was not screw things up. They didn’t. Never in doubt with Kate Taylor making five clearances, blocking one shot, and completing 63/65 attempted passes. Dijon hardly gave their hosts a sniff. Dijon have lost five games this term but they’ve all been against Lyon, PSG, or Paris FC – they are undefeated against the rest of the Première Ligue, with four games left in which to wrap up fourth place on the standings.
Up Next: Dijon vs Nantes at 5am on Sunday (NZT)
Katie Bowen - Inter Milan (Italian Serie A)
Inter Milan had more than twice as many shots as Fiorentina and held 64% of possession. They had six corners to one. And yet they lost 1-0 due to a 48th minute Agnese Bonfantini goal... along with the obvious problem of not scoring any of their own. Their keeper did save a penalty just before half-time but clearly they didn’t take the warning. Full game for Katie Bowen in defence, that was good. She did fine – the defence has had some wobbles lately but it wasn’t the issue on this day. You could argue that Bowen ought to have done better with the goal, having played an attacker onside to begin when then being second to react when the ball bounced off the crossbar for Bonfantini to score. That’s nitpicking though.
Fiorentina beat leaders Juventus last week in similar fashion so they’re making a habit of this. Inter, in contrast, are making a habit of dropping points in messy ways. They blew two separate two-goal leads to draw 4-4 with Lazio. They led for over an hour before losing 2-1 to Roma with a 90th minute goal condemning them to defeat. They allowed three different equalisers in a 3-3 draw with AC Milan (including two own goals). Now they’ve dominated a game that they ended up losing 1-0 against Fiorentina. Four games without a win. Somehow they’re still in second place but the distance to first is now 10 points... and they face Juve next. There are five rounds to go and if Inter can stay in the top three then they’ll earn Champions League qualifiers. Meanwhile, Sampdoria drew 2-2 with Como to give themselves another point in their quest to stay in the top division. Kiara Bercelli was an unused substitute again though.
Up Next: Inter vs Juventus at 3am on Monday (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
Ryan Thomas: “I feel like old Ryan again. That gives me a lot of relief. I’d known for a long time that I still had the qualities to contribute. In recent months I could feel in trainings and in games that it is still in me. But of course the problem was the physical part. Now that that has been resolved, I can finally look to the future again, instead of looking no further than day to day or week to week. That is something very beautiful... I'm thirty years old now. That's a little old, but not yet old enough to think about quitting. As long as my knees last, I want to keep playing football. Hopefully I can stick to it for many years now.”
Those are blessed words to read. Ryan Thomas had his right knee practically reconstructed by the end of his time with PSV... and the left one got cleaned up and repaired last season so he’s basically got two brand new knees now. Look up the paradox of Theseus’ Ship and that’s what Thommo’s got with his knees. Because of that, he says he practically needed to learn how to move again because his body was no longer the same. He had issues with his hips, his hamstrings, his heels... keeping him from only getting fully back into the swing of things with starts against Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam leading into the international window.
Frustrating as that must have been (even though he’s used to it by now... assuming a footballer ever gets used to being injured), Thomas now reckons it was a positive thing for the coach, Johnny Jansen, to hold him back through most of the first half of the season. Now he’s ready to rock, free of pain and full of ambition. Jansen himself, who will be leaving at the end of the season (the club’s not going to renew his contract), has said that he’s “delighted” with where Thomas is at, and loves the calmness and experience he brings to the team. According to Thomas, his biggest physical issue right now is fatigue from being unable to slow down, even in training sessions he’s running everywhere. Remember last week he’d covered more grass than any other player on the pitch at the time of his substitution (by which stage he was cramping up). He’s on record saying he intends to do ninety minutes next game... assuming the coach lets him.
More Ryan Thomas: “I had a problem that is not very common but now that I've had this surgery, I walk the way I should walk, the way everyone else walks. That's pretty good for me. I’ve never felt better in my career, I mean it. I am very happy with what I can do on the pitch now. I always feel some mild pains, but at the moment I feel very fit. I feel good about myself and my body ensures that I continue to feel good after a game or training. It is very important not to feel any more pain in the knee, tendon, or any other part of my body for two or three days. I don't have that any more. Now I am mentally free and happy to be able to help the team.”
RT is only on a one-year contract but PEC Zwolle did a little housekeeping during the week confirming those that they’d be allowing to leave (like the coach) and those that they’re trying to retain. Thomas was among those who are in discussions to extend. Sweet as.
Up Next: Sunday at 9am, PEC Zwolle vs RKC Waalkwijk (NZT)
Zac Jones – Haverfordwest County (Welsh/Cymru Premier)
Golden Gloves confirmed with three rounds still to go. That’s the measure of the man... even though Zac Jones didn’t actually keep a clean sheet this week. Haverfordwest County lost 2-1 against Penybont, meaning that they can no longer catch their second-placed opponents having fallen 10 points behind. But they’re a further six ahead of fourth which would equal the club’s best ever finish (third place in 2003-04)... and of course the European playoffs will follow afterwards with a chance to earn some sneaky Conference League qualifiers.
Up Next: Home vs Caernarfon Town at 3.30am on Monday (NZT)
Abby Erceg - Deportivo Toluca (Mexican Liga MX)
Safe to say that Toluca’s plan of signing a bunch of international veterans to save their season hasn’t worked entirely as planned. They’ve had an uptick since Erceg arrived (and instantly became a ninety-minute player) but the results have still been all over the show. Loss, win, loss, win, win, loss, loss, win. Four up, four down. Erceg’s been consistently good but her overall team has not. Doesn’t help that Amandine Henry is now out injured.
But they showed what they’re capable of by this week beating leaders Pachuca 3-2 away from home, keeping a bit of hope alive that they might yet sneak into the top eight. Currently they are four points back with three games remaining (meanwhile Pachuca drop to second). Two early goals inside of twenty minutes set things up, then they withstood some pretty heavy pressure, before Shanice van de Sanden scored an amazing long-range goal lifting the ball over a stranded goalie from 35 metres out with her left foot.
Pachuca then threatened a comeback with a brilliant curling finish (66’) and a fortunate penalty kick (77’)... but Erceg and mates managed to hold the fort. Even after a late red card to the other centre-back, Mitsy Ramirez they still got there. Pachuca did hit the crossbar deep into stoppages but close isn’t close enough. Pachuca had not lost a single game during the Clausura phase until this one. If that doesn’t boost up Toluca’s mana then nothing will.
Up Next: Sunday at 7am at home against Monterrey (NZT)
Emma Pijnenburg – Feyenoord (Dutch Eredivisie)
After making her first start of the season in a cup victory over Heerenveen last week, Emma Pijnenburg has now made her first Eredivisie start of the term. She played the whole thing at left-back, swapping sides from where she usually gets her minutes, as Feyenoord went to PEC Zwolle and won 6-0. Zwolle did play the last hour with ten women after Mayke Lindner was sent off but Feyenoord were already 3-0 up when that last-defender foul happened. They were, in fact, 6-0 up at half-time... getting all of the scoring done early. Zwolle were arguably better with ten than they had been with eleven. Pijnenburg was involved in the lead-up to the second goal but otherwise they didn’t need their fullbacks getting their boots dirty because the direct approach was doing the trick.
EP hasn’t played a whole lot this season, only making six Eredivisie appearances, but she does seem to be earning a lot more minutes lately. They’ve been good minutes too. In the 252 mins of league footy that she’s played, her Feyenoord team have scored 12 goals and conceded just one. Some of that is from being subbed on in favourable games but you can’t argue she’s not doing all she can. With Utrecht losing this week, Feyenoord are entrenched in fourth place. Nine points behind Ajax and five points ahead of Utrecht.
Up Next: Sunday at 4.30am against Fortuna Sittard (NZT)
Jana Niedermayr - Union Kleinmünchen (Austrian Bundesliga)
Jana Niedermayr has played every minute for Union Kleinmünchen in the Austrian Bungesliga, no worries there. However, it’s been a tough season for UK as they try to dodge the shadow of relegation. That struggle will be decided one way or another over the last five games while Kleinmünchen competes in the relegation rounds... but they’ve given themselves a massive jump in that quest by beating third-placed First Vienna 2-0 in a huge upset. Almedina Sisic scored late in the first half (41’) after a defensive giveaway. Luisa Schubert scored late in the second half (87’) on the counter attack. Jana Niedermayr got a yellow card for a foul right at the end. She also helped her team keep just their third clean sheet of the campaign.
Up Next: Away to Neulengbach though not until after the international window
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