Alanna Kennedy

Alanna Stephanie Kennedy (born 21 January 1995) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur in the English FA Women's Super League, as well as the Australia national team.[2] Kennedy is recognized as being a versatile, technical player and is a right-footed free kick specialist.[3] Known on the international level as a centre back, Kennedy also plays in the midfielder position.[4]

Alanna Kennedy
Kennedy greets Western Sydney Wanderers' fans
Personal information
Full name Alanna Stephanie Kennedy
Date of birth (1995-01-21) 21 January 1995
Place of birth Campbelltown, Australia
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender / Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Tottenham Hotspur
Number 18
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Sydney FC 1 (0)
2011–2012 Newcastle Jets 9 (1)
2012–2013 Sydney FC 12 (3)
2013–2014 Western Sydney Wanderers 9 (1)
2014–2015 Perth Glory 13 (2)
2015–2017 Sydney FC 24 (3)
2016 Western New York Flash 17 (0)
2017–2020 Orlando Pride 60 (8)
2017–2018 → Melbourne City (loan) 14 (1)
2018–2020 → Sydney FC (loan) 22 (3)
2020 → Tottenham Hotspur (loan) 9 (0)
2021– Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
National team‡
2008–2009 Australia U-17 10 (6)
2011–2014 Australia U-20 3 (0)
2012– Australia 87 (7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 December 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 March 2020

Early life

Kennedy was raised in the Sydney suburb of Rosemeadow and attended primary school at Rosemeadow Public and selective sports school Westfields Sports High School.[5][6] As a youth, she was the only girl on an all-boys team[7] and later played for the Campbelltown Cobras.[8] She trained with the Girls Skills Acquisition Program (GSAP) at MacArthur Rams. Kennedy acknowledged the Rams training ground as her "second home" growing up.[9]

Club career
Andi Sullivan & Alanna Kennedy fight for the ball in a match between Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride on 23 June 2018

W-League Beginnings, 2010-15

Kennedy started her W-league career playing for Sydney FC in the 2010–11 season, where she featured in 3 games. The following year, Kennedy switched clubs and joined the Newcastle Jets in the 2011–12 W-League before returning to Sydney FC in the 2012–13 season. For the 2013–14 season, she joined city rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.[10] and in the 2014 season she joined Perth Glory.[11] In 2015, she returned to Sydney FC and would remain there the following 2 seasons.

Western New York Flash and Orlando Pride, 2016−20

In 2016, Kennedy signed with the Western New York Flash in the National Women's Soccer League. She appeared in 17 games for the Flash in 2016. Kennedy played every minute of Western New York's two playoff games, as the Flash won the 2016 NWSL Championship.[12]

Kennedy heads the ball during an Orlando Pride match, May 2018

On 19 January 2017, Kennedy was traded to the Orlando Pride in exchange for midfielder Sam Witteman.[13] She appeared in every game for the Pride in 2017. In the final game of the regular season on 30 September, Kennedy scored the game-winning goal on a free kick in stoppage time. This win allowed Orlando to finish the regular season in 3rd place and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in club history.[14] In the semi-final, Kennedy scored again but Orlando lost 4–1 to the Portland Thorns.

In the 2018 NWSL season, Kennedy appeared in 20 games and scored 2 goals; however, Orlando could not repeat their success of 2017 and finished outside the playoffs.[15]

In March 2020, the impending NWSL season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. An eventual restart was made through a smaller schedule 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.[16][17] However, on 22 June, Orlando withdrew from the tournament following positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.[18]

Melbourne City FC, 2017–18

Kennedy joined Melbourne City on loan for the 2017–18 W-League season.[19] During the 2017-2018 season, Kennedy was named to the Westfield W-League's "Team of the Decade", which was composed of the best XI players to ever play in the W-League, as voted for by the fans.[20]

Sydney FC, 2017–20

After spending one season at Melbourne City, Kennedy signed with Sydney FC for the 2018–19 W-League season, returning to the club she had played at for four previous seasons.[21] On 16 February 2019 Kennedy won her third W-league Championship title with a 4–2 win over Perth Glory in the grand final. She re-signed with Sydney FC for the 2019–20 season.[22] The team returned to the grand final in 2020 but lost to Melbourne City 1–0.[23]

Tottenham Hotspur, 2020−

In August, having been unable to feature for Orlando Pride in 2020 due to COVID-19 related issues, Kennedy moved to English FA WSL club Tottenham Hotspur on loan ahead of the 2020–21 season.[24]

On 12 November 2020, while on loan at Tottenham, Kennedy's NWSL playing rights were acquired by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft.[25] Upon the expiration of her NWSL contract in December 2020, Kennedy instead opted to remain in England and sign permanently with Tottenham until the end of the season.[26]

International career

Kennedy debuted for the Matildas against New Zealand in 2012.[27] In 2014, at age 19, she was named to the Matildas squad for the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup. She appeared in three games, as Australia finished runner-up to Japan.

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

In May 2015, Kennedy was named to Australia's 23-player roster for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and was the second youngest player on their roster. Kennedy appeared in all five matches for Australia. The Matildas finished second in their group and advanced to the knockout stage. They defeated Brazil in round 16 but lost to Japan in the quarter-finals.[28]

2016 Summer Olympics

Kennedy attended her first Olympic Games in 2016. She played every minute of Australia's four matches at Rio 2016. Their quarter-final match against Brazil was tied 0–0 after extra time and went to penalties. Kennedy was the final penalty taker for Australia; she did not score her penalty and Brazil won the match 7–6 on penalties.[29]

Kennedy was part of the Matildas squad that won the 2017 Tournament of Nations and defeated the United States for the first time ever.[30] At the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Kennedy scored two goals for Australia. The second goal she scored was a stoppage time equalizer against Thailand in the Semi-final. Australia went on to win the game in penalties. Australia lost to Japan 1–0 in the final.[31]

2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

In May 2019, Kennedy was named to the Matildas squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, the second time she was included in a World Cup squad.[32] At the World Cup, Kennedy started all four of Australia's matches. In the Round of 16 tie against Norway, Kennedy received a straight red card in the 104th minute of extra-time for a DOGSO foul on Lisa-Marie Utland. Australia went on to lose on penalties and were eliminated.[33]

Career statistics

International goals
As of match played 22 June 2019. Australia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Kennedy goal.

Goal		 Date Location Opponent Score Result Competition
1 2 March 2016 Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan  Vietnam 3–0 9–0 2016 Olympics qualifying
2 9 August 2016 Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil  Zimbabwe 3–0 6–1 2016 Summer Olympics – Group F
3 7 March 2017 VRS António Sports Complex, Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal  Netherlands 3–0 3–2 2017 Algarve Cup
4 10 April 2018 Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan  Vietnam 2–0 8–0 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup
5 17 April 2018 King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman, Jordan  Thailand 2–2 2–2 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup
6 2 August 2018 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois, USA  Japan 1–0 2–0 2018 Tournament of Nations
7 6 March 2019 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia  Argentina 2–0 3–0 2019 Cup of Nations

Honours

Club

Sydney FC

Perth Glory

Western New York Flash

Melbourne City

International

Individual

See also

References
  1. "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 - Players - Alanna Kennedy". www.fifa.com.
  2. Shaffer, Kristen (10 November 2016). "Moving forward for Alanna Kennedy". The Women's Game. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  3. https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/players/player/386994/
  4. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-orlando-pride-news-0712-story.html
  5. "Alanna Kennedy: Matildas star now giving back". South West Voice. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  6. https://www.macarthuradvertiser.com.au/story/4060080/macarthur-soccer-star-shoots-for-gold/
  7. "Matilda Alanna Kennedy's dreams unfold out west". Daily Examiner. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  8. "Rosemeadow Matilda Alanna Kennedy announced as Macarthur FC ambassador". Advertiser. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  9. Layt, Jess (29 June 2020). "Matilda Alanna Kennedy thrilled Australia wins World Cup bid". Liverpool City Champion. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  10. "Wanderers announce strong squad for upcoming W-League season". The Women's Game. 10 October 2013.
  11. "Perth Glory announce signing of six Matildas". The Women's Game. 6 August 2014. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  12. Scavuzzo, Diane (26 February 2016). "WNY Flash sign Australian defender". SoccerToday. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  13. "Orlando Pride Acquires Australia National Team Defender Alanna Kennedy". Orlando City SC. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  14. Purdy, Jacqueline (30 September 2018). "Alanna Kennedy's FK stoppage-time stunner lifts Pride to 3–2 win over Courage". NWSLsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  15. "A.Kennedy". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  16. "NWSL, CPL delay start of 2020 seasons due to Covid-19". SportBusiness. 21 March 2020.
  17. "NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  18. "Orlando Pride Statement Regarding 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Participation". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  19. Davutovic, David (25 October 2017). "Melbourne City caps off W-League signing spree with international duo Alanna Kennedy and Yukari Kinga". Herald Sun.
  20. "Revealed! The Westfield W-League Team of the Decade". W-League.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  21. Greco, John (5 September 2018). "Kennedy's back as Sydney FC sign six Westfield Matildas". W-League.com.au. Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  22. "Sydney FC Unveil Championship Defending Westfield W-League Squad". Sydney FC.
  23. "Catley strike seals Melbourne City's record fourth Westfield W-League Championship". Westfield W-League. 21 March 2020.
  24. "Kennedy and Zadorsky loans agreed". Tottenham Hotspur.
  25. "Louisville drafts Orlando Pride's Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord". Orlando Sentinel. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  26. "Alanna Kennedy signs permanent deal". Tottenham Hotspur. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  27. "Westfield Matildas complete miraculous escape". Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012.
  28. "Westfield Matildas name World Cup squad". myfootball.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  29. "Brazil VS. Australia 0 – 0". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  30. "Australian women beat U.S. in Tournament of Nations". USA Today. Associated Press. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  31. "Women's Asian Cup". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  32. "Matildas squad for 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup announced". Australian Olympic Committee. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  33. Pender, Kieran (22 June 2019). "Norway won the shootout 4-1 after a 1-1 draw, with Elise Kellond-Knight cancelling out Isabell Herlovsen's opener before Alanna Kennedy was sent off in extra time". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  34. "Kennedy and Kerr nominated for FIFPro World XI". The Women's Game. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  35. "IFFHS WOMAN TEAM - AFC - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020". IFFHS. 30 January 2021.

Further reading
  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
  • Stay, Shane (2019), The Women's World Cup 2019 Book: Everything You Need to Know About the Soccer World Cup, Books on Demand, ISBN 1782551921
  • Theivam, Keiran and Jeff Kassouf (2019), The Making of the Women's World Cup: Defining stories from a sport’s coming of age, Little, ISBN 1472143310
  • Various (2019), Stand Up for the Future, Penguin Random House, ISBN 0143794396
  • Williams, Jean (2007), A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football , A&C Black, ISBN 1845206754
  • Williams, Lydia (2019), Saved!, Allen & Unwin, ISBN 9781760871628
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