Sometimes, life is all about stepping into the unknown. For Erin Healy, leaving the safety of her college days in the US and coming to Adelaide United has been one of those moments. It’s a move that many can relate to—leaving behind what’s comfortable and familiar to chase something bigger.
Erin’s story isn’t just about football; it’s about being brave enough to take a chance and try something completely new, even if it feels a little scary at first.
Taking the Plunge: Leaving College for Portugal and Then Australia
After a solid college career at Gonzaga University in Washington State, Erin could’ve stayed in the US and kept playing, but instead, she made a huge leap—literally across the world. After college, Erin went to Portugal, where she joined Club de Albergaria and played in the top division of Portuguese women’s football. Last season, she made quite an impact, scoring eight goals in 24 matches.
Speaking on DubZone, Erin said:
“Portugal was a great experience for me, and I think it really helped shape my game. It pushed me in ways I didn’t expect and gave me a lot of growth. But when I heard about the opportunity to come to Australia, I thought it could be a great new chapter for me.”
Erin didn’t necessarily have Australia on her radar initially. After hearing from a friend already playing in the Ninja A-League, the idea of moving started to click.
“I knew a player who’s in the A-League right now, and she kind of persuaded me to come,” Erin said, referring to Sydney FC’s Jordan Thompson, who had shared how great things had been in Australia. For Erin, that conversation was enough to get her thinking—maybe this was the right time to make a big change.
Finding Her Place with United
Arriving at Adelaide United, Erin has quickly realized that while the move was massive, it was also exactly what she needed. Coming from Portugal, where she had to toughen up in a pretty challenging league, Erin knows the value of hard work. She’s ready to bring that grit to the Reds. And with two wins from the Reds opening four matches and 3 great performances, Healy is clearly making an impact.
“I guess I just don’t give up. I try my best regardless,” she explained, when asked about her mentality on tough days. “In the Portuguese League and in my team last year, I really had to step up and be a player that I don’t think I was comfortable with, but I’ve developed into that, and I’m excited to kind of bring that experience over into this team.” Her ability to push through adversity is exactly the type of mindset United is looking for this season.
Erin isn’t wasting any time getting down to business either. “From day one in preseason, I felt that everyone was ready to step up, and I think everyone has stepped up. I think we have started off this season pretty well. We’re keeping a positive outlook and just going to keep pushing.” And it’s clear—she’s ready to work, hard.
A Leader in the Making
Erin’s arrival at Adelaide United is more than just a change of scenery—it’s a chance for her to lead, inspire, and help the team grow. Even when things don’t go as planned, Erin is always ready to step up. After a disappointing loss to Wellington, Erin didn’t shy away from calling out the team’s performance.
“I think they just might have wanted it a little bit more. We weren’t really finding that grit or that… passion to play for a little bit. So I think we’re just fighting this week; a lot of our trainings have just been 1v1s and fighting just to get that out of us, and hopefully, we bring that to the game this weekend.”
Her words show that she’s not afraid to lead by example, and if there’s one thing Erin knows for sure, it’s that hard work and determination are always key. She’s set her sights on making an impact, and as the season progresses, she’s looking forward to helping Adelaide United get even better.
More Than Just a Football Player
What makes Erin’s story so compelling isn’t just her skills on the field—it’s her willingness to face new challenges, even when the outcome is uncertain. She’s taken a massive leap, both in her career and her personal life, and in doing so, she’s become an example to those around her. Erin’s move from college in the US to the A-League in Australia is proof that sometimes, you’ve got to take risks, follow your instincts, and believe in your potential, even when things are a little hazy.
So far, Erin is fitting right in with Adelaide United, and her dedication to the team is already shining through. With her experience, work ethic, and leadership, Erin Healy is bound to make her mark on the Reds this season—and who knows? Maybe this chapter is just the beginning of even bigger things to come.
