Perth’s summer will be home for two more international players when they kit up for Perth Glory Women next month.
27- year old Alyssa Mautz of the United States and 24-year old Arianna Romero from Mexico, have signed on for the upcoming Westfield W-League season.
Mautz has made 70 appearances for US National Women’s Soccer League outfit Chicago Red Stars (the home club of Glory’s current MGP Vanessa DiBernardo) scoring 9 goals from the attacking midfield position.
The experienced Missouri-born player has also enjoyed success at youth level having won Gold at the 2008 U20’s Women’s World Cup in Chile.
Mautz said she’s excited to have joined a club with a rich history.
“I’ve been looking to increase my experience internationally,” Mautz said.
“Perth Glory is a great fit to achieve that. I’m excited to play a part in the upcoming W-League season and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Coach Bobby Despotovski believes Mautz’s ability to move between the midfield and final third will prove invaluable for the upcoming season.
“Alyssa has great experience at a very high level,” Despotovski said.
“She can hold the ball up in midfield, dictate the tempo and then launch attacks in an instant,” he added.
Meanwhile Romero has signed on from Icelandic club ÍBV, and is another player that’s enjoyed success on the world stage.
Romero was a key member of Mexico’s 2010 and 2012 CONCACAF U20’s campaigns picking up a silver and bronze medal respectively.
The defender is an established Mexico Women’s team player having been capped 31 times and scoring once, which has caught Despotovski’s eye.
“Arianna is a very mature player for her age,” he revealed.
“Since winning the ‘Big Ten’ Defender of the Year in 2013 during college, she has gone from strength to strength and will bring great technical ability to the defence,” the coach added.
Mautz and Romero join Glory following the re-signing of attackers Rosie Sutton, Nikki Stanton and WA’s own Samantha Kerr.
Glory Women will kick off their campaign in a double header at nib stadium on November 6, after the men’s team play against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Both Mautz and Romero are expected to join the Glory Women’s squad for pre-season training later this month.
