Take it from a player who has reached the summit of the international game: Australia and New Zealand are set to host the ultimate spectacle when it comes time for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Western United striker Jessica McDonald remains a reigning world champion to this day, having played in United States’ triumphant World Cup campaign in France in 2019; it’s a tournament which McDonald’s home nation has hosted on two occasions in the past (1999, 2003).
Speaking from experience, McDonald describes the “eye-opening, phenomenal” experience of being amongst the games, the crowds and even the environment of a Women’s World Cup, with crowds around the two nation’s domestic league early in the season encouraging the United States international the potential to look forward with anticipation to next year’s tournament.
McDonald joined host Robbie Cornthwaite on this week’s episode of The Players Pod in the wake of Western’s historic 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in Round 1 of the 2022-23 Liberty A-League season. It was the club’s inaugural game in the competition, a game decided by a solitary McDonald strike.
In season 2022-23, you can listen to Robbie weekly on his new KEEPUP podcast – The Players Pod, with Robbie Cornthwaite. This week he chats to former Socceroo Mark Milligan, and Western United striker Jessica McDonald. Listen below or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The veteran United States striker was buoyed by the action all across the weekend, and the enthusiasm of the crowds she saw not only at Western’s home fixture but all around the league.
She hopes to see plenty more of the same throughout the campaign as excitement and interest builds ahead of next year’s World Cup.
“You can’t even fathom the environment,” McDonald said. “Simply just being in it, it’s a whole other world, and it’s a whole other vibe that you literally could not even imagine until you’re in it. It’s so eye opening to see the world’s perspective on women’s football when you’re playing on the world stage.
“When it comes to the World Cup, the biggest tournament in sport, that is just honestly one of the most phenomenal things to be a part of. I can’t wait for the Women’s World Cup next year, here in Australia.
“I think Australia and New Zealand truly deserve to have a World Cup, the stadiums here are really cool (like) AAMI Park, and I’m excited about Wellington, so I can’t wait to see these stadiums being filled up for women’s football… it’s going to be quite an experience for everyone that’s going to be here.”
McDonald and Western are off to New Zealand in Round 2, to face off with Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium. The occasion comes after Wellington’s record-breaking Round 1 feat: a side displaced throughout their first Liberty A-League season in 2021-22, the ‘Nix made their long-awaited home debut in Round 1 of the new season, and drew a crowd of 5,213 through the gates – an all-time record for a standalone Liberty A-League fixture.
McDonald has challenged the Phoenix faithful to produce similar scenes when Western cross the ditch in Round 2.
Whether it’s a fanbase for us or against us, once a stadium is really booming, especially in the women’s game, it’s absolutely phenomenal to see,” she said. I have goosebumps now even talking about it.
“Seeing a fanbase like that, especially for a new team, it’s absolutely incredible to see. It’s going to be incredible to be a part of this weekend, so hopefully there can be even more this coming weekend when we come in, because at the end of the day we deserve that type of support.
“I’m proud that New Zealand has a team now in this league, and knowing they actually have support. Hopefully the support continues to get better, and better, and better. It’s even more incredible, the more people you have at games the better the vibe on the field – whether they’re booing you or cheering you on.
“Either way it goes, it’s definitely going to be a fun atmosphere to play in, too.”
McDonald and Western take on the ‘Nix at Sky Stadium at 1.00pm AEDT on Saturday, November 26.
READ: ROUND 2 INS AND OUTS
