Tara Murray
When Kahli Johnson decided to join Western United, it wasn’t just about getting more game time in the A-League Women’s competition.
Having made three A-League appearances last season for Sydney FC, Johnson decided to make the move down to Melbourne and United.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to move to a different city,” she said. “To move away from home for the first time was exciting.
“The club has been really welcoming and family orientated. It was about the opportunity to come to a club that has such strong values.
“You want to get game time wherever you are, but nothing was promised and I had to work hard for my spot.
“It has really paid off.”
Johnson has played in 13 games for United this season, starting in seven of them. In the most recent game against the Newcastle Jets, she scored not only her first goal, but her second for United.
Johnson said she had been really happy with her season.
“I’m someone who is really focused on improving myself and the team,” she said.
“I want to keep improving on things and work really hard in developing certain areas of my game.
“The first goal has been a while coming, it was really good for myself. To get a second one was good, hopefully it’ll kick start a few more.”
It’ll be a couple of weeks between games for Johnson as she heads to the Kyrgyz Republic with the Young Matildas for the first round of qualification for the 2024 AFC under-20 Asian Cup.
Johnson has been part of the Young Matildas side for a couple of years and she’s excited to get another opportunity.
“I’m really happy to get the call up,” she said. “It’s a new group of girls that have not played many games together.
“It will be a great experience to go overseas with the girls.”
The Young Matildas have just come off a training camp, held in Western United’s backyard in Wyndham.
Johnson said it was good to see local soccer fans, many who are Western United fans, come out and interact with the side.
The camp also included a match against Western United.
“I enjoyed that,” Johnson said. “It was pretty cool to play against my friends.
“You’re a bit more competitive on the field. I really enjoyed it.”
While Johnson is focused on her Australian commitments, she’s also focused on helping United concert their strong form into something else.
United in their first season sit atop the table.
Johnson, like many of her other teammates, wanted to make a point that they weren’t just making up the numbers this season.
“We want to win,” she said. “We’ll do everything we can to make that happen. It’s exciting for the rest of the season.”
