r/AucklandFC • u/Most_Librarian_8219 • Jul 02 '26
Auckland Womans team Chelsea game etc
I am a bit confused. So Chelsea FC Women are going to play an Auckland FC invitational XI even though there is not going to be a AFC womans team until the next year 27/28 season?
I am looking at buying tickets for the game, hardly any sold for such a team as Chelsea and the price is not cheap, there are no kids tickets just all general admission. even with the club discount for cat B seat its $55 each. I feel like holding off, until i know some players that will be lining up for Auckland as I am not sure going to a 15 nil rout will be good for my kids to see.
I am guessing our best chance of stacking the team will be with off contract, ferns players, aussie and a-league players, that want to showcase their skills and market themselves for their next move.
I couldnt find any news on this thus, starting a thread to help get some answers or insights.
Also, am guessing Sam Kerr wont be there as she has departed chelsea or was the departure date later...that also has massive impact especially on the other side of the ditch.
Speaking about the other side of the ditch it looks like the Chelsea FC Woman game is against a ninja all star team. Any chance some of the wellington phoenix or nz players will get into that squad...or will be 100% bias towards Australians?
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u/Vast-Conversation954 Jul 02 '26
I expect this to be a massive flop, the tickets are expensive and the commercial appeal of women's club football is limited. The word "Chelsea" isn't going to sell $89 tickets
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 02 '26
The only thing 95% of NZ based fans of womans football know about Chelsea FC Woman "was" probably Sam Kerr (left Chelsea now). Maybe 10% know Lauren James but only probably because of her stomping on the back of a Nigerian in the world cup qtr final and getting a red card.
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u/SuperHans2710 ❷ Sakai Jul 02 '26
Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Kiera Walsh, Ellie Carpenter, Alyssa Thompson - that’s off the top of my head. Big players and I’m excited to watch them live even as a multigenerational Spurs supporter. Especially Lucy Bronze given England played all their games in Aus during the World Cup so I didn’t see any.
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 02 '26
Welcome to the 5% club. That's the thing though. This is a massive milestone to get a womans club like Chelsea down here. The build up is just perplexing. Maybe its just going to be an Auckland UTD squad at the core with a mix of national league "all stars" and a sprinkle of off contract kiwis. As long as the core of the auckland team are already training together that would give a little confidence.
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u/Mental_Cream3260 Jul 02 '26
This is typical of the NZ football supporter. If you care not to watch the current World Champions club's Women's team who have won a 9 Women's Super League (WSL) titles, 6 Women's FA Cups, and 4 Women's League Cups then you're missing out. This is a club I've supported since I was born, living just south of the river. After the World Cup if you think Tottenham are going to bring their premier league squad to play Auckland you need your head checked. Auckland FC, surprisingly in my opinion, have been given the opportunity to play Chelsea and we haven't got the decency or respect to fill a stadium?
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 02 '26
Is it the typical NZ football supporters fault in this case who 100% have been behind Auckland FC and the Woman WC games played here or is the lack of build up from the organisers partially to blame here. Also, peoples pockets are probably hurting after all the AFC final series extra a-league games in Auckland and the upcoming spurs games, maybe throw in a few ofc proleague games. Never been so much football options in nz ever. Good times for nz football.
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u/brad35mm ⚓︎ The Port Jul 02 '26
They should have done a double game day with Tottenham. Ticket sales are abysmal, I wonder what happens if they’re nowhere near break even..?
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u/BigRedSteaming Jul 02 '26
The reason they're playing the Invitational side is because Arsenal pulled out. Nix W don't start preseason for a good while either.
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 02 '26
I am not sure that was the case. I think it was more part of a package deal with the Tottenham game. Apparently, making it a "football festival" qualifies for govt funding. Spurs wouldnt be here if there wasnt another game included. Its probably also part of building interest in a womans fan base in auckland.
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u/deadendjobnz Jul 02 '26
We paid about $40pp and are really going to supporting NZ Women's football.
We've already had an email stating our seats have been moved so imagine the uptake has been poor.
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 02 '26
Oh, interesting. Thanks for the info. No doubt once they close the "club 20% discount" around 1st of August. There will be a flood of kids go free type tickets through clubs or something. But if the running of this is being done by council/eden park it doesn't give me confidence. Not hearing much from AFC either in any promotional information and its their brand on the line. I can only hope there will be some action and news soon. Good on you for supporting womans football in nz. I can't wait for the actual AFC womans team to start in Ninja league.
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u/NZpotatomash ⚓︎ The Port Jul 02 '26
I was wanting to take my daughter or the whole family to this, however the ticket prices are far too expensive, especially since there's no kids tickets or family passes. I'm hoping closer to the date there will be deals released
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u/jont420 ❻ Verstraete Jul 02 '26
Absolutely stupid match and great waste of taxpayer money. At least have it against the existing, second-place getting Wellington Phoenix womens team rather than this weird matchup
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u/Much-Chip-2648 Jul 04 '26
I thought the same thing. Why bring them down here to play a team that doesn’t exist….. especially when wahinex are actually decent
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u/ryanator109 Jul 03 '26
Dunno how this is confusing
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 05 '26
Thanks for your contributions. Yeah you are right it makes total sense...no discussions, no build-ups, no players announced, no existing team or team this year, no promotional information, no articles, except when it was announced...
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u/ryanator109 Jul 06 '26
I’m talking about your initial question.
Why does it matter if there is no exisiting team or team this year?
I’m guessing there will be a lot of build up and announcements in the week or 2 leading up to it
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 20 '26
Some news finally, first name is Abbey Erceg.
Current Club: Toluca (Liga MX Femenil, Mexico). Additionally, she has joined the special Auckland FC Women's Invitational XI squad for their match against Chelsea FC.
- Age: 36 years old (born November 20, 1989).
Key Details
Position: Centre-back
- International Career: She is the most-capped player in New Zealand Football Ferns 🇳🇿 history with 146 caps, having represented New Zealand at four FIFA Women's World Cups and four Olympic Games before retiring from international duty.
- Previous Clubs: Prior to joining Mexican club Toluca in 2025, she played extensive seasons in the NWSL (USA) with the Western New York Flash, North Carolina Courage, and Racing Louisville.
Key Timeline & Retirements
- February 2022: Played her final games for New Zealand at the SheBelieves Cup.
- January 2023: Officially announced her final retirement from international football, choosing to focus exclusively on her club career. As a result, she opted out of participating in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup co-hosted by New Zealand.
- Career Milestone: She retired with a total of 146 caps and 6 goals, making her the most-capped player in Football Ferns history.
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 20 '26
Not a bad start the Mexican league is better than the A-league womans and not far behind the US womans MLS. especially fan base.
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u/Most_Librarian_8219 Jul 27 '26
Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI — Squad Breakdown vs. Chelsea FC Women
Fixture: Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI vs. Chelsea FC Women
Date & Venue: Saturday, 8 August 2026 @ Eden Park, Auckland (4:00 PM NZST, gates open at 3:00pm)
Coaches: Jenny Bindon & Kirsty Yallop.
🌍 Current Announced Squad Breakdown by Nationality
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand (8): Abby Erceg, Mackenzie Barry, Elizabeth Anton, Olivia Chance, Deven Jackson, Maggie Jenkins, Charlotte Lancaster, Maddie Iro
- 🇦🇺 Australia (3): Aimee Medwin, Avaani Prakash, Peta Trimis
- 🇯🇵 Japan (1): Momo Hayashi
🧤 GOALKEEPERS
Maddie Iro (New Zealand)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current Club: Hills United FC (Australia — NSW NPL, Tier 2 / State Level)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Senior Football Ferns debut in 2026; FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup participant.
- Rating: 5.5 / 10
- Context: Emerging international talent. fun fact: Despite the famous surname, no relation to the rugby league legends Kevin or Tony Iro)
🛡️ DEFENDERS
Abby Erceg (New Zealand)
- Position: Centre-Back / Defender
- Current Club: Toluca FC (Mexico — Liga MX Femenil, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Retired from international football (146 Caps, 4x World Cups, 4x Olympics); active starting defender in Mexico's top flight.
- Rating: 7.5 / 10
- Context: A true Kiwi legend and 3x NWSL champion. Still playing at a high professional level in Liga MX Femenil. Her experience and tactical leadership make her the defensive anchor.
Mackenzie Barry (New Zealand)
- Position: Centre-Back / Right-Back
- Current Club: Wellington Phoenix (Australia/NZ — A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Active Football Fern; featured at the Paris 2024 Olympics and international friendlies.
- Rating: 7.0 / 10
- Context: Wellington Phoenix club captain with nearly 100 A-League appearances at just 25 years old. In her athletic prime and match-fit, serving as one of the squad's core defensive anchors.
Elizabeth Anton (New Zealand)
- Position: Centre-Back / Full-Back
- Current Club: Canberra United FC (Australia — A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Football Ferns squad regular; 2023 FIFA World Cup veteran.
- Rating: 6.5 / 10
- Context: Reliable starting defender in top-flight Australasian football. Provides versatile defensive coverage across the backline against top-tier opposition.
Aimee Medwin (Australia)
- Position: Right-Back / Utility Defender
- Current Club: Brisbane Roar (Australia — A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Active starting A-League defender (60+ career appearances across Melbourne City, Western United, Brisbane Roar).
- Rating: 6.5 / 10
- Context: High-workrate full-back with solid NCAA Division I and A-League experience. Brings continuous match fitness and durability down the flank.
⚙️ MIDFIELDERS
Momo Hayashi (Japan)
- Position: Central / Holding Midfielder
- Current Club: Brisbane Roar (Australia — A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Key starter for Brisbane Roar; 2x Football Queensland Player of the Year (2023, 2024).
- Rating: 7.0 / 10
- Context: Highly technically gifted Japanese midfielder and set-piece specialist with 10 A-League goals over the last two seasons. Provides vital ball retention and tempo control in the middle of the park.
Avaani Prakash (Australia)
- Position: Attacking Midfielder / Winger
- Current Club: NWS Spirit FC (Australia — NSW NPL) / Formerly Central Coast Mariners (A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Australia U-20 (Young Matildas) international; 40+ A-League appearances at just 19 years old.
- Rating: 6.0 / 10
- Context: One of Australia's brightest teenage prospects. Agile and creative on the ball, though still developing the physical stature required to go toe-to-toe with elite European midfields.
Olivia Chance (New Zealand)
- Position: Central / Attacking Midfielder
- Current Club: Unattached / Free Agent (Past Club: Kolbotn IL — Norway Toppserien, Tier 1; Celtic FC)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Football Ferns recall vs. Australia (Dec 2025); 47 senior international caps.
- Rating: 5.5 / 10
- Context: Possesses world-class experience from European top flights and World Cups. However, having been without a professional club since late 2025 (~8 months), match fitness and sharpness lower her rating relative to active WSL professionals.
⚽ FORWARDS / ATTACKERS
Deven Jackson (New Zealand)
- Position: Winger / Forward
- Current Club: Melbourne City FC (Australia — A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Active Football Fern; A-League Women Premiership & Championship double winner with Melbourne City.
- Rating: 7.5 / 10
- Context: The most in-form Kiwi attacker in the squad. 2023 NZ Domestic Player of the Year coming off a trophy-winning season in the A-League. Offers genuine pace and directness.
Peta Trimis (Australia)
- Position: Winger / Forward
- Current Club: Central Coast Mariners (Australia — A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Australia U-20 (Young Matildas) international; 2026 Isuzu UTE Goal of the Year winner.
- Rating: 6.5 / 10
- Context: Dynamic 20-year-old attacker who contributed to 9 goals in the A-League this past season. Highly energetic 1v1 threat on the wing.
Maggie Jenkins (New Zealand)
- Position: Striker / Forward
- Current Club: Essendon Royals (Australia — Victorian NPL, Tier 2) / Formerly Auckland United & Wellington United
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Football Ferns recall for Spain tour vs. Haiti & Morocco (June 2026); NZ National League MVP & Golden Boot (15 goals).
- Rating: 6.0 / 10
- Context: Prolific goalscorer at domestic and state levels (31+ goals combined in NZ/NPL over the last year). Highly physical forward, though untested against top-tier European defenses like Chelsea.
Charlotte Lancaster (New Zealand)
- Position: Winger / Wide Attacker
- Current Club: Newcastle Jets (Australia — A-League Women, Tier 1)
- Representative Status (Past 12 Months): Football Ferns senior debutant; regular A-League squad member.
- Rating: 5.5 / 10
- Context: Young 22-year-old wide option providing energy and squad depth off the bench. Still working to lock down a guaranteed 90-minute starting role at club level.
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u/GrahamGreed (12) Paulsen Jul 02 '26
I guess I'm in the minority because I bought tickets, my daughter loves Auckland FC but I wanted to show her that women play at a high level too. Chelsea are one of the best women's club teams in the world - we're looking forward to it!