Schaefer Aims For Immediate Impact for Bulldogs
Image courtesy of Moreton Bay United
Capalaba FC recruit Ali Schaefer can’t wait to take to the pitch for her new club as their National Premier Leagues Women’s campaign continues this weekend against Souths United.
The 30-year-old American is the latest former Moreton Bay United player to reunite with coach Skie Hanifin at the Bulldogs for the 2020 campaign – joining ex-Jets teammate and W-League talent Natalie Tathem.
The no-nonsense midfielder joins a promising squad that is aiming to build on their 9-2 mauling mauling of the Jets when they travel to Wakerley Park Synthetic this Sunday to tackle the winless Souths.
However, Schaefer revealed her looming first appearance in Bulldogs colours has come as a surprise not only to the team’s supporters, but even to herself.
“I actually thought I would retire and put my energies into my career outside of soccer but I love this game and I missed this game because it has brought so much to my life,” Schaefer explained.
“It was really fortunate, because I woke up one morning and it happened to be the same day Hano wrote me asking if I was interested in playing again.
“There is so much that soccer brings to my life – having a community connection, having a goal, exercising and training – and I am just very much looking forward to jumping right back in.”
To that end, the Nevada-native brings a wealth of experience to the Bulldogs squad, with a resume boasting professional stints in Sweden, Finland and Israel, in addition to a successful college career.
She also knows how to succeed in the NPLW, after winning the Premiership-Championship double with Peninsula Power in 2017 and notching an astounding 41 goals in 65 appearances in the Queensland top flight.
“I’m really hoping I can bring something to Capalaba to help them out because it looks like a great team that is really in contention for the top four,” she said.
She added, “I think I am best sitting back in the ‘number 6’ role, but I have also been put in at ‘ten’ quite often in the past.
“I like to play centrally because I definitely have a strong voice and I want to bring my voice to the game as well as bringing the energy and tempo to the game.”
And in a worrying sign for the Bulldogs’ next opponents, she says her drive-to-win will be on full display as soon as she steps on to the pitch – something she credits to the cut-throat nature of women’s football in her homeland.
“I think Americans do tend to make everything a bit more competitive and that’s why we can be a bit more ferocious on the field at times,” she concluded.
The Bulldogs took full points from their last visit to Wakerley Park in 2019 – the club’s sole win against Souths in the NPLW in four previous meetings.