Heather Hints At Sydney FC Exit

Aidan Ormond
Feb 25 2009 14:22 

EXCLUSIVE US bound Matildas star Heather Garriock has hinted that she’d leave Sydney FC if a more lucrative offer came up from another W-League franchise.

Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com on the eve of her departure for the professional US women’s league, the 26-year-old believed a marquee system could be looked at in the W-League for some of the top Matildas.

And the almost 100-times capped Matilda said if she was offered a marquee or a similar deal with another W-League club, she’d seriously consider it.

“I don’t know who I’ll be playing for next season to be honest… at the end of the day you’ve got to take care of yourself.

“I know for me and some of the other top players like Walshy [Sarah Walsh] we’ll be looking for where the best deal is.

“I think a marquee status is possible for players in the W-League. If you invest in the players that’s what’s going to strengthen the league at the end of the day.”

Meanwhile a visa problem has meant that Garriock and other international stars around the world have been delayed from entering the US to meet up with their new clubs ahead of the kick off to the Womens’ Professional Soccer League.

It’s expected the visas will now come through by the week’s end. Garriock has signed with Chicago Red Stars and has a four-week pre-season ahead of the league’s kick off on April 4.

“I’ve never been to Chicago before and I know it’ll be very cold but my ambition is to do well and in doing so, it will hopefully lead to other Aussie girls getting to play over there,” says Garriock.

 “But the league will be unbelievable,” says Garriock. “Players like Cristiane from Brazil are my teammate and I definitely think it’s the strongest league in the world. It’s got the top players from the US and Brazil and us Aussies and it’s professional.

“I can’t wait to be challenged in an environment where other players also want to be challenged.”

Garriock added that she’d like to bring a top US player to Australia for the next W-League season.

FourFourTwo

Chicago Red Stars Sign Australia’s Heather Garriock

Bridgeview, IL (February 2, 2009) –  The Chicago Red Stars have signed Australian midfielder Heather Garriock for the 2009 WPS season, General Manager Marcia McDermott announced today.

Garriock, 26, is a 10-year veteran of the Australian National Team, having earned 112 caps and scoring 19 goals.  She made her Australian National Team debut in 1999 at the age of 16, and has competed in two World Cups and two Olympics.

“It’s an absolute dream come true for me to continue my career in the United States, playing with and against some of the best players in the world,” said Garriock. 

The Chicago Red Stars selected Garriock in the second round with the 12^th overall pick of the WPS International Draft last September. The Australian midfielder’s international experience, tireless work rate and attacking mentality were qualities Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes was looking for in building her roster. 

“She’s a born leader, with a fantastic left foot,” praised Hayes.   “She possesses great energy levels to go up and down the flank, and she has a winning pedigree.”

Garriock is the second international player to sign with the Red Stars.  She joins English forward Karen Carney, whom the Red Stars signed last week.  The Red Stars have the WPS playing rights to Sweden’s Caroline Jönsson and Frida Östberg, as well as Brazilian striker Cristiane.  Each WPS is allowed to carry five international players on their roster.

Garriock is the third Australian player to sign with a WPS team.  Midfielder Collette McCallum and forward Sarah Walsh, a teammate of Garriock’s at Sydney FC, have already penned contracts with Sky Blue FC of New Jersey.  A fourth Australian player, forward Lisa De Vanna has been drafted by and is in negotiations with the Washington Freedom.

The Red Stars kick off the 2009 WPS season on April 5^th on the road against St. Louis Athletica at Ralph Korte Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

Courtesy of: Chicago Red Stars