THE STRENGTHS

City not making the playoffs last year may have been the most helpful thing for their upcoming season. They now know for the first time what it means to not be the top team and that could make them even hungrier for a title this year.

Top players are still on their club and they have some of the best new signees like Emily van Egmond and Ellie Carpenter. Combine the new signees with a majority of City’s roster from a season ago and they may have their best squad to date. 

Their roster will once again be impressive, but this year they are ready to work together for a championship.

“I think they (front office) are putting together a very well-balanced side this year. A very competitive side and we’re really looking forward to what we can achieve this year,” Dobson says.

Tied with the most Matildas on a roster with Brisbane Roar there is no denying City will be talented. Combine that talent with a team that has something to prove there is no telling what City can accomplish.


One of those Matildas is goalkeeper, Lydia Williams. She returns after giving up just 15 goals in 2018-19, tied for a league best. Having Williams return to City and return from injury will see City able to stay in games if the offense struggles.

 

THE WEAKNESSES

The biggest question for Melbourne City is will they be able to get back to their usual ways or was last season a new trend for the club?

SInce joining the league, City has been a favorite for players to join and a favorite to win the title. They know how to win and win often. 

But other teams are stepping up and getting top players to join their team as well. The league is tighter than it has ever been before.  

City also has players returning from injury and you never truly know how they will come back. City players Kyah Simon, van Egmond, Williams, Carpenter all played in the NWSL this past season, but saw their time on the pitch limited from their lingering injuries.

If those players are not fully healed than City will have to rely on less experienced players that might not be able to compete in the league.