Emily van Egmond to head back to America after Western United clash

Despite an impressive guest stint with Newcastle Jets and loving being coached by her dad, Matildas star Emily van Egmond has revealed why she can’t make the move home permanent.

Emily van Egmond has loved every second of her four-game stint in the A-Leagues with her dad Garry as her coach but says the competition has to do a lot more growing before she is able to return home full time.

The Matildas midfielder signed a special guest contract with Newcastle Jets – allowing her to play four matches during the American league’s off-season.

This weekend’s clash with Western United will be her final game for the A-Leagues’ season – before she heads off back to the USA after Christmas to prepare for pre-season with San Diego Wave.

While the Jets have had mixed results during van Egmond’s return her performances on the pitch can’t be faulted.

Emily Van Egmond has one more game to play at the Jets. Picture: Getty Images

The 30-year-old has scored two goals and registered two assists in her first three outings.

“The fact that I get to be at home is obviously an added bonus and being coached by my father again is always enjoyable – he gets the best out of me,” van Egmond said.

“And to come and play alongside some of these girls that I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up alongside … it’s been exciting and to see the new talent as well.

“From my first week here to now people have improved drastically and they’re only going to get better and better – it’s been a really enjoyable stint to be honest.”

The results delivered by the Jets were different to what van Egmond had come to expect during her season with San Diego Wave who won 11 of their 22 games and claimed the league title.

While van Egmond has noticed a big shift in the A-Leagues women’s competition, especially since the FIFA Women’s World Cup, she said it still had a long way to go before it could match it with the US competition.

Van Egmond has over 100 caps for the Matildas. Picture: Getty Images

“The USA has been No. 1 for however many years, they are a consistent national team and their competitiveness speaks for itself,” she said.

“We’ve got a way to go here to get it to that kind of competitive level but nonetheless it’s just really good that young girls are starting to get the opportunity here and to forge a career as an aspiring footballer.”

Unlike the USA competition the A-Leagues’ women’s competition is part-time – with players paid for just nine months of the year.

Van Egmond said as much as she loves playing and being at home it just wasn’t a sustainable option for her.

“It’s not on my radar at the moment,” she said.

“My focus is on my club overseas and staying at the highest level possible for as long as I can and I believe I’m in the best environment for myself. I’m feeling in a good place right now.

“I’ve had a decent year and hopefully we can capitalise on that again next year.”

Next year, which includes the Paris Olympics, has the potential to be one of the biggest of van Egmond’s career.

But the Matildas’ midfielder wasn’t willing to get too far ahead of herself.

“Qualifications is first and foremost,” van Egmond said.

“Just trying to qualify is the short term goal. Obviously you dream about the Olympics and World Cups and playing at the highest possible level that you can so all that is in the back of your mind but for me it’s about focusing on this game, this Sunday with the Jets, finishing on a high and then focusing on 2024.”

Emily van Egmond getting the keys to the city of Newcastle with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes (L) and father Gary (R).

The Matildas hopes of playing at the Olympics depend on them beating Uzbekistan in a two-match home and away series in February.

Australia and Uzbekistan’s women’s teams have never played each other before. The Matildas are ranked 11th in the World and Uzbekistan 50th but van Egmond said the result was far from locked in.

“It will be competitive and interesting as both teams have a shot of making the Olympics,” she said.

“We will have to perform our best and I’m sure once we get into assembly for the national team we’ll go through who the opposition is, have a game plan and hopefully we’ll come out on top.”

Newcastle Jets will play Western United FC at 5pm (AEDT) Sunday.

Originally published as Emily van Egmond to head back to America after Western United clash