Chloe Logarzo comes to terms with the likely end of her Matildas career

After missing selection for her home World Cup, Chloe Logarzo had to decide whether it was worth making the sacrifices required to play at the highest level when the rewards weren’t coming.

Chloe Logarzo react after losing the Women's Football Semi-Final between Australia and Sweden at the International Stadium Yokohama at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Adam Head

It has been a tough road but Chloe Logarzo has made peace with the fact she might never pull on her Matildas’ jersey again.

The 28-year-old midfielder, set to play for Western United in the A-Leagues’ Women’s competition this season, made 50 appearances in the green and gold since her debut in 2013.

A run of injuries, including an ACL tear, meant she wasn’t fit enough for the FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.

It was the second time she had missed out on selection in a World Cup team – left out of the squad in 2015.

Logazro worked her way back into the team earning a call up for the 2016 Olympics, the 2018 Asian Cup, the 2019 World Cup and Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

But after the heartbreak of missing out on the home World Cup – which Logarzo watched from the Optus Sport commentary box, she has decided to have a new approach to football this season.

“I’ve got no hopes for the national team this year,” Logarzo said.

“I’m not pushing to get in to making my way back and I think this year is really going to decide whether I retire or not.

“I just want to like football again. It’s been a tough two years, battling with injuries and not being successful.

Chloe Logarzo react after losing the Semi-Final between Australia and Sweden at the International Stadium Yokohama at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Adam Head

“I’m not going to put any pressure on what I’m going to do, if I start liking football again then we’ll see what happens but it’s just about finding the love again.”

Logazro said it has changed her whole approach to the season and pre-season which started last week.

“I’d normally be like I’ve got to be focused, everything that I’d be doing would be geared towards the Olympics,” she said. “If I play well and get selected that would be amazing but I just want to make sure that I’m doing all the things that I want to do and accomplish here with United.”

It wasn’t a decision Logarzo made quickly. She said it had been brewing for several years.

“I’ve had an unfortunate run with injuries, not just the last couple of years but my entire career and it’s made me reflect every single time and I think it’s gotten to the point now … where I wonder if I can keep making the sacrifices when I’m not being rewarded,” she said.

And while Logarzo isn’t expecting a call up to the national team she wouldn’t say no if one was offered.

“I might have a really good season this year and decide I want to play until I can’t walk but in this current moment, with the miss of the World Cup and the last two years and where my body is as I’m starting to think about life after football,” she said.

“I don’t know if I can continue making the sacrifices when I’m not being rewarded.”

Chloe Logarzo has turned her focus to winning the premiership with Western United FC. Picture: Getty Images for APL

SEASON AHEAD

Western United missed out on the premiership by just one point in their inaugural season last year and lost the grand final to Sydney FC.

Logarzo said the squad, which started pre-season last week, is focused on going one better this year.

She said there had been a switch in perspective with the team focusing on themselves rather than what any other team in the competition is doing.

“I love that so much,” Logarzo said. “We were pretty good last year. So if we can do 1 per cent better, we will do well no matter who we are playing against. It is just about how we can play ourselves and get the most out of the team.”

Western United coach Mark Torcaso said having Logarzo on the team was a big boost.

“She is just like another coach and leader,” Torcaso said.

“She just brings a different vibe. She has a big influence on the pitch.”

Torcaso said the top prize was the goal this year.

“We fell short last year by a point so we want to have a crack at trying to win it,” he said.

The competition has expanded this year to 22 games. A number of big names including Cortnee Vine, Tameka Yallop, Elise Kellond-Knight and Rebekah Stott are back in the competition – creating what is sure to be a tough competition.

Logarzo said she hope everything, coupled with the success of the World Cup, leads to more people attending games.

“There is a lot more hype than there has been in a long time, I’m really excited for what this year has to bring,” she said.

Originally published as Chloe Logarzo comes to terms with the likely end of her Matildas career