New Adelaide United Women signing, Mallory Weber, explains how her move to the Reds came about and what she is hoping to achieve.
Weber joins the South Australian outfit for the upcoming season on loan from National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side, Utah Royals.
Weber revealed it was always an objective of hers to play football in the Westfield W-League.
“I tried to come the past couple of seasons (to Australia), but I wasn’t playing much with my club team at home,” the American explained.
“So I think it was harder to get a look and then last year I got sent to Utah and just played a ton.
“And then got an offer and before that I played with quite a few Australians in Portland and just heard and seen so many pictures of their experiences and just have wanted to do it since.”
The 25-year-old said the move down under materialised after speaking with Royals teammate, Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir.
The Icelandic international spent the last campaign with Adelaide and spoke highly of the Club and passed on her name on to Head Coach, Ivan Karlović.
“It was actually Gunny (Gunnhildur) Jónsdóttir who played here last year and kind of helped connect me,” she said.
“And she had said great things about him and how hard working the players were here and just how professional the organisation and the set-up was.
“And then connected me with Ivan and then he just reinforced everything she had said so it was a no-brainer to come.”
Weber began her professional career with Portland Thorns in 2016, winning the NWSL Shield in her inaugural season before clinching the Championship the following year.
https://twitter.com/AUFCWomen/status/1189399421340905473
She accumulated 44 games with the Thorns before being traded to Utah back in May and played 18 matches, predominantly as a right-back.
However, after discussions with Karlović she admitted she will likely operate in a more advanced role.
“Last season I played quite a bit of outside back (right-back) and I think Ivan sees me more of a winger,” she stated.
“So I think to just be super dangerous and create tons of chances and score goals for me this season is what I’m trying to do.
“As a club just hopefully help push the younger players and take the club to finish at a higher level than they did last year.”
Weber’s career to date as seen her play alongside some of the best female footballers in the world, such as United States, star Tobin Heath and Canadian icon, Christine Sinclair.
She is eager to impart some of that invaluable knowledge with her new teammates.
“In the NWSL I’m on the younger side of the teams, so playing with literally the best players in the world like Tobin Heath and Christine Sinclair and all them,” she continued.
“Being able to learn from them has just grown my knowledge of the game and how I approach it and look at it.
“So hopefully I’ll be able to bring some of that experience here is kind of what I’m looking to do.”
