New signing, Julia Ashley, says discussions with fellow compatriot, Amber Brooks and Head Coach, Ivan Karlović, convinced her to join Adelaide United Women.
The 23-year-old defender is the third American on the roster for the Westfield W-League 2019/20 season, following the return of Brooks, and the arrival of Mallory Weber.
Ashley went to the same alma mater as Brooks – the University of North Carolina – and played for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
With the Tar Heels she registered eight goals and 20 assists in 94 games.
“I played soccer at UNC (University of North Carolina) and Amber Brooks is also a graduate from UNC,” she said.
“So both her and Ivan definitely convinced me that this would be a good move, just to help me develop.
“After talking to both of them and she was here last year, I know she loved it, she wants to help this team and definitely finish higher than last year and that’s what I’d like to do as well.”
Having only been in the country for just a few days, Ashley could already see the strong sense of togetherness in the squad.
“Since I’ve come it’s just been incredible,” she said.
“Everyone is so welcoming and I’ve adjusted extremely quickly.
“The whole staff is awesome, the girls are great and I know when I talked to the coach before I came, Ivan, he said he really stresses a family like team culture.
“And that that’s really important to me and I’ve noticed that’s a big part of what this group is about already.”
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Predominantly a centre-back, Ashley was the sixth overall pick at the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League draft, but instead opted to ply her trade overseas.
She spent the first half of this year with Swedish outfit, Linköpings FC, and the experience was invaluable.
“Going to Sweden was not a last-minute decision but it all happened really quickly,” she explained.
“Just like it did to come here as well. But culturally it was much more of a shock going over there.
“Soccer wise when I was in Sweden I learned a lot more tactically about the game. We spent a lot of time just going over film, how we want to play, how we want to adapt to what the other teams are doing.
“And I definitely developed in that sense when I was over there for a couple of months.
“But going away from home really teaches you how to live life on your own, how to figure things out. You can’t be afraid to ask questions and I’m thrilled to be here. I think it’s such a great experience to go away from home.”
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Now in Australia, Ashley revealed it was always an objective of hers to play in the Westfield W-League.
She admitted that many girls back home are eager to test themselves in this competition and was extremely thankful for the opportunity and determined to help the team win.
“So many girls from the NWSL definitely want to come over here,” she continued.
“And it’s tough because there are only a few international spots. But I graduated last December and I know that one of the goals that I set for myself was I really wanted to come play here in the W-League.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I think a lot of girls in the US really want to come play here as you can see with a lot of the internationals that have signed.”
