Adelaide import Erin Healy’s biggest regret ahead of crucial A-Leagues semi-finals

Adelaide United American import Erin Healy has one regret this season, as her side prepares for an all-or-nothing A-Leagues semi final clash with Melbourne Victory.

Adelaide United American import Erin Healy has one regret this season – not speaking up the moment she felt something was off with her quad muscle.

The 23-year-old striker has played a vital role in Adelaide’s attacking line this season but had her match minutes limited when she suffered a strained quad muscle.

“It was definitely an injury that I think could have been prevented if I’d spoken up a little sooner but as a player you’re just going to push through whatever comes your way,” Healy said.

“It’s definitely an injury. I wish I got checked out earlier so it could have been a shorter time and a quicker recovery.”

It took Healy four weeks to fully recover and even then has been on limited minutes. Healy started in their semi-final leg against Melbourne Victory – scoring United’s only goal in the 3-1 loss. She lasted 70 minutes before being substituted off.

Adelaide United’s Erin Healy during the semi final against Melbourne Victory. Picture: Getty Images

“I feel like I’m almost fully recovered, we are managing me back into the game with limited minutes,” Healy said.

The formidable striker who has scored eight goals this season hopes to play another big role in their must win game against Victory on Saturday afternoon.

For Adelaide to progress to the club’s first ever women’s grand final they will need to beat Victory by two goals.

“They’re coming into finals with an undefeated track record for the past (14) games but I think we have what it takes to beat them,” Healy said.

“We just need to believe in ourselves, and I think we’ve given them a good fight both times we played them (in season).

“Maybe they will come out thinking this will be an easier game, we will prove them wrong.

“The good thing (about the double-leg semi) is if you don’t perform your best in the fist leg you have an option to regroup and do better for the next one.”

Erin Healy is in her first season in the A-League. Picture: Getty Images

Regardless of the result Healy said she had enjoyed her first season in the A-Leagues.

After a season playing in Portugal Healy said she had been looking to play in an English speaking country.

“It was a really cool experience playing in a country that you can’t really communicate in but it’s always nice to find comfort in the same language with players around you,” she said.

Healy’s agent reached out to ALW clubs and Adelaide said they were interested.

“They were coming off a pretty poor season last year, at first I wasn’t too intrigued but then I decided to just give it a go and see what happens and here we are, and we’re doing really well this year, so I’m really glad I made this decision,” Healy said.

The striker, who hails from San Diego, said she hadn’t ruled out making a return to the ALW next season.

“It is really similar to the US and the style that I’m used to, I felt very comfortable and I can be myself out there, rather than adapting to a different style of play,” Healy said.

“I think if we have a similar team next year we can do as good or even better so I’m really interested in staying.”

Adelaide United will travel to take on Melbourne Victory at 2.15pm on Saturday.

Erin Healy has scored eight goals in her first season with Adelaide United. Picture: Getty Images

CENTRAL COAST TESTS CITY’S LIMITS

Melbourne Victory have one boot into the A-League’s Women’s grand final, while cross-city rivals Melbourne City will have to pull off a win over the only team they haven’t managed to beat this season.

City, undefeated this season, are yet to beat Central Coast Mariners this season – with all three clashes, including last weekend’s first semi-final, finishing in draws.

They will be bolstered though by the return of Venezuelan striker Mariana Speckmaier, who was out injured for last weekend’s tie.

Victory go in to their game against Adelaide United with a 2-0 lead, after a 3-1 win in the first leg. But Adelaide have nothing to lose and are sure to put up a fight.

Both matches will be played in Melbourne – giving Victory and City the home field advantage.

Here is everything you need to know:

Claudia Bunge celebrates a goal for Melbourne Victory. Picture: Getty Images

VICTORY IN THE BOX SEAT

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United

Match details: Saturday, 2.15pm, Home of the Matildas

Victory go into the game with a 2-0 lead but defender Claudia Bunge said they were not celebrating yet.

Bunge, who scored a brace in their 3-1 win over Adelaide United, said coach Jeff Hopkins was quick to remind them they are only halfway there.

“It’s going to be another tough game, we’ve got the two-nil buffer but we know (Adelaide) are a really good side, they’ve got a lot of attacking strengths, so we’re just going to approach it like we do every game and really go at them,” Bunge said.

“We are definitely not complacent.

“All focus is on Saturday, we are not thinking too far ahead.”

Cross-town rivals City have stolen the limelight this season – going undefeated in all 23 regular season games to claim the premiership.

But Victory’s run has been just as impressive, they are on a 14 game winning streak. Their last loss was a 2-0 defeat to Brisbane Roar back in January.

Bunge said they weren’t doing anything out of the ordinary – just making sure they were focused on the game at hand – not what was to come.

“Something we have been good at this year is being very process driven and I think that is the reason we have been successful so far,” Bunge said.

Marniers star Brooke Nunn holds possession as Melbourne City defenders pressure. Picture: Getty Images

MARINERS TO TEST CITY’S LIMITS

Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners

Match details: Sunday, 2pm, ctrl: cyber pitch

Central Coast Mariners have proven a real bogey team for City this season but the premiers will be bolstered by the return of Mariana Speckmaier and Lourdes Bosch.

Speckmaier, who has scored 7 goals and three assists this season, has been out for six weeks with an ankle injury. Playmaker Bosch, has nine assists and four goals, missed last week with soreness but has also been named on the extended squad for Sunday’s game.

Golden boot winner Holly McNamara started the match off the bench due to a niggle – if all three are on the pitch it is sure to create issues for the Mariners.

Mariners captain Taren King was a special guest on Dub Zone this week – where she made it clear they certainly haven’t counted themselves out yet.

“We’ve known from the get-go, this whole season, even last year, there aren’t many people that back us week in, week out,” King said on the program.

“There are a lot of critics of our style, our football and you know our potential as well. S I think that’s been a large majority of our general motivation across the whole season, let alone just finals.

“I said it a couple of weeks ago, people keep doubting us, but we keep proving them wrong and we keep stepping up to the challenge.”

King said there were definitely areas of improvement from last weekend’s draw.

“We won’t go down without a fight,” she said.

Originally published as Adelaide import Erin Healy’s biggest regret ahead of crucial A-Leagues semi-finals