If her first season of football in Australia, Jordan Thompson has the potential to win a championship trophy with Sydney FC and is super excited at that prospect.
The American has really taken to the Australian lifestyle and jumped in the deep end when it comes to culture by going on bushwalks, to seeing the sights of the harbour city. Immersing herself in everything that the country can offer has certainly allowed her to enjoy every bit of her football with Sydney FC.
With all these factors, heading into her first semi final this Sunday, she is absolutely buzzing and ready for the challenge.
“Sydney comes from a long history of being in finals and to be part of that is super exciting and to still have a grand final to play for is even better.
“I’ve absolutely loved playing in this league and have loved playing for Sydney,” she said.
“I’ve loved being in Sydney and Australia and seeing the quality of players in this league has been really fun every game and every practice I am challenged to be my best.
“I’ve never been in a professional cup final so this is super exciting for me. I have played in a lot of high stake games in college that you have to win to make it to the NCAA tournament but I’ve never played in a cup final so I’m really excited for this.”
During the regular season, the Sky Blues were on the brink of winning a fourth straight Premiership and needed just two points from their remaining two matches to secure it but were unable to get it done.
A loss to Canberra United and then to Melbourne Victory in the space of five days saw them slip to second while it seemed so likely to be trophy again.
This would’ve obviously hurt the squad to being so close to that trophy but Thompson and her team mates are putting that behind them while still using it as motivation for the finals series.
“Dropping the fourth premiership was a total blow and it was really hard and super upsetting.
“Knowing we weren’t at our best on either of those two days when we could’ve won it is definitely going to carry us into this finals series. Knowing what that feels like and not wanting to feel that again.
“The three week break [between games] was good for us as it gave us a chance to reset and really hone in on what we need to do going into these next couple of games and it makes everybody more hungry to play and hungry to get a result,” she said.
The Central Coast Mariners were one of the sides that the Sky Blues failed to beat during the regular season with the last meeting being a controversial 2-1 loss on a wet Wednesday night at Leichhardt Oval.
The Mariners were reduced to ten when their substitute goalkeeper was sent off for a second yellow and they had to put an outfield player in net who conceded from a long range Hawkesby free-kick.
However, late in the game, the referee pointed to the spot after the ball was blocked by Tori Tumeth and deflected up off her leg into her arm. Jada Whyman saved the spot kick but it was turned home on the follow up by the Mariners and they held on for all three points.
With all these factors in mind, Jordan Thompson is not taking the competition newcomers lightly.
“Central Coast is a super strong team and a good side and their last month or two has been amazing so it is going to be a really good game, an absolute battle as their pressure is relentless.
“Knowing that teams are physical, you kind of have to match their physicality and stick to our game plan, sticking to who we are as Sydney and not playing outside of that,” she said.
“The target going into any of these games [first legs] is just to do what we can to get the result and to be ourselves on the day, but I think more than anything we just want to show up and play like Sydney FC. We want to play how we know we can play.”
Due to Central Coast Mariners being delayed on return from Kyrgyzstan, the match has been moved forward for the 10Bold TV slot and will now kick off at 3pm AEST instead of the originally scheduled 5:45pm.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Liberty A-League Semi Final First Leg
Sunday 21st April 2024
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, NSW
Kick Off: 3pm AEST
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
