Abby Erceg headlines Jenny Bindon and Kirsty Yallop’s Auckland FC Women’s squad ahead of the Invitational fixture against Chelsea FC Women.
Abby Erceg has been announced as the first player to join the Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI, ahead of the game against Chelsea scheduled for Saturday, 8 August.
As a New Zealand footballing legend, having played at 4 FIFA Women’s World Cups, Abby hopes the game will inspire the next generation of women’s football in New Zealand.
Erceg made her debut in 2006 at 17 and played at 4 FIFA Women’s World Cups and 4 Olympic Games, marking a legendary international career.
With 146 appearances for the Football Ferns, 49 as captain, she’s one of the most capped players in Football Ferns history.
Her club career was just as stellar, and she spent most of it in the United States in the NWSL. Erceg won three NWSL titles, one with Western New York Flash in 2016 and two with the North Carolina Courage in 2018 and 2019. She currently plays in Mexico with Toluca FC (W) in the LIGA MX Femenil.
“I’ve had such a long and fruitful career in the women’s game, and I’m so excited to be able to inspire the next generation of female footballers in this country,” said Erceg.
“Bringing a team together and playing against one of the best women’s sides on the globe. It’s a chance to show young girls in this country that the dream of playing professional football is very real and achievable; for me, that’s the whole point.”
Jenny Bindon, the Head Coach for Auckland FC’s Women’s side in this invitational match, welcomes her former Football Ferns teammate to the squad.
“Having Abby as part of this team is incredibly special. She is a legendary Football Fern and someone who has helped shape women’s football in New Zealand through the way she has played, led and represented our country,” said Bindon.
“To have a player of Abby’s calibre and character step onto the field at Eden Park against a club like Chelsea is something really special. She represents what is possible for the next generation, and I know her leadership, experience and presence will mean so much to this group and to the young girls watching from the stands.”
The dominant, eight-time WSL champions, Chelsea FC Women, face off against the Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI on Saturday 8 August at 4pm at Eden Park in a landmark moment for New Zealand football. For the first time, local stars take the pitch against one of the world’s most dominant clubs in the NZ International Football Festival.
Get your tickets here.
