New Western United stars Kahli Johnson and Silver Bell Morris have been selected in an extended Young Matildas squad.
The pair have formed part of a 31-player squad that touched down in Blacktown, Sydney on Sunday for a six-day training camp.
Western United football general manager Mal Impiombato said the selections boded well for United’s inaugural A-League Women campaign.
“We’re extremely proud to see Kahli and Silver Bell earn selection for the Young Matildas camp,” he said.
“Both have been rewarded for outstanding years so far and this recognition will continue to push their development forward.
“As a club, these selections are also proof of our recruitment process for our inaugural A-League Women season.
“We have worked hard to identify talented players to fill our roster and we are confident that we are in a position to be competitive, with top talents such as Kahli and Silver Bell.”
Johnson was part of the Young Matildas side that went to the FIFA under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August where she featured in all three group games, including two starts.
Morris helped the Junior Matildas to claim the AFF under-18 women’s championship title, defeating Vietnam 2-0 in the final.
The centre-back started in four of the five matches at the tournament, including in the semi-final and the final as the side conceded just one goal on the way to lifting the trophy.
This selection continues a massive 2022 for Morris, who was a key player in Football Victoria Emerging’s fantastic season, leading the side to its first-ever National Premier League Women’s finals berth.
Johnson has also had a breakout 2022, debuting in the A-League Women as a 17-year-old with Sydney FC and making a total of five substitute appearances.
The pair will spend the week with the squad before returning to Victoria ahead of the beginning of the first A-League Women pre-season with Western United.
United continues to add players to their squad, with another two internationals joining the team.
Sydney Cummings joins United having been a member of the San Diego Wave FC squad that currently leads the league in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
A multi-capped Guyana international, the US born Cummings brings incredible experience at such a young age.
United coach Mark Torcaso said Cummings’ attributes will make her a near immovable force at the back.
Fellow American Hillary Beall joins United on loan from Racing Louisville in America’s National Women’s Soccer League.
Beall, who hails from Laguna Beach, California, accrued an 80 per cent save percentage at Michigan and also went to the 2018 under-20 World Cup in France.
Torcaso, a former goalkeeper and goalkeeper coach himself, believes his side will be in safe hands with Beall joining Alyssa Dall’Oste between the sticks.
“I’m really excited about bringing Hillary into the side, she has a lot of standout qualities as a goalkeeper and I can’t wait to work with her,” he said.
“She has great height and athleticism and has proven herself over a handful of years in college to be an excellent shot stopper.”
