welcome to se25
Tonight, Crystal Palace Women host a top-flight game for the very first time – so thank you for joining us on a momentous evening!
The Eagles will take on fivein-a-row Women’s Super League winners Chelsea under the Selhurst Park lights, with the match kicking off at 19:30 BST.
To celebrate the day, supporters can expect plenty more family-friendly fun for all ages at Selhurst Park, as well as the opportunity to witness club history on the pitch.
Our Fanzone will be open from two hours before kick-off (17:30 BST), where supporters young and old can enjoy games, refreshments and entertainment.
This includes the opportunity to hone your gaming skills in an EA
Sports gaming van; demonstrate your South London pride, with facepainting available; show off your skills with football games from the Palace for Life Foundation; and much, much more!
What’s more, our Selhurst Park club shop will also be open up until kick-off (19:30) – allowing fans to get the complete WSL look, with 2024/25 Women’s shirts now available.
Turnstiles open from 18:00 BST, with plenty of activity around the stadium as kick-off draws near, as well as during the half-time break – so keep your eyes peeled! Get behind the Eagles tonight; be loud, be proud – be Palace!
Scan this QR code to quickly, safely and easily report worries, concerns or abuse. You can even do so anonymously.
Scan here to view a full matchday supporters’ guide.
laura kaminski
Good evening everybody, and a very warm welcome to Selhurst Park for our very first home Women’s Super League match.
Firstly, thank you so much to everybody who has joined us here tonight. It promises to be a special occasion for myself, the players and the club as a whole, so your support means a great deal as we embark on this exciting new journey together.
A thank you, as well, to my staff and players, new and returning. As you’ve probably seen, we’ve had a busy summer! We’ve brought several new players into the fold, and it’s been great to get to know them, to work with them on the grass, and help them become integrated into our team and into this club. I’ve said before that they’ve already added great value to the club, and I only expect that to keep on growing.
On top of that, I’ve said some ‘thank you’s to the players that we’re continuing on this journey with. They’ve been absolutely fantastic at welcoming new faces and making them feel at home. We’ve all come to know each other really well already, which is going to be so important for our togetherness down the line whenever we face challenges.
I’m really looking forward to being part of the Women’s Super
League with Palace this year. It’s a new challenge and obviously I’ve never managed before in the WSL, but we’re taking it very seriously and have left no stone unturned.
We’ve all come to know each other really well already, which is going to be so important for our togetherness down the line whenever we face challenges
We’ve researched and prepared for the differences between the Championship and the WSL. We know the step-up between the two leagues is huge, with stronger opposition, so we will be prepared for that – and obviously, everyone has been working extremely hard for what’s around the corner. We still want to play exciting football, but we will also need to be ready for the level that’s in front of us.
I’m really looking forward to tonight’s game at Selhurst Park, under
the lights, against a world-class team like Chelsea – whom we faced, of course, in the FA Cup last season. The players are all looking forward to it as well – it’s going to be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.
We believe that we can get something out of every game. We’ve got that confidence, and we’ve got that belief and ability in the group – and we want to stick to that.
You, the fans, will be absolutely imperative this season. Having your support behind us, every game, is going to be really important – so thank you in advance from all of us.
Laura
Here for football in all the ways you are
From supporting your favourite football leagues, to paving the way for the future of the game. We know football means more to you than just what happens on the pitch. We’re here for communities, we’re here for opportunities. We’re here for every goal.
Search Barclays football to find out more
aimee everett
Good evening everybody and welcome back to Selhurst Park for our very first Women’s Super League home match.
We know this season is going to be a big challenge – but it’s one we’re all incredibly excited to get stuck into.
We’ve had a really busy preseason as a group. Pre-season is all about challenging yourself, putting yourself out of your comfort zone, and getting fit, and I think our programme – including that week in Utah – has been all about that.
We’ve obviously added a lot of new faces to the group and as captain, it’s part of my role to make sure they feel welcome here – but that’s been easy so far, because all the new girls that have come in have been great additions to the squad, every single one of them. Everyone’s had a fantastic pre-season, and it’s been really good to get to know them all.
I’m now entering my fourth season at Crystal Palace, and second as captain. Seeing the difference from where we were when I started here to where we are now is amazing.
Obviously now, we’re in the Women’s Super League, but the work that Grace, Laura, the staff and all my teammates have done to get us here has made that huge improvement
possible. Now we want to carry that on.
This season is going to be a big challenge – for example, there aren’t many teams in the world as good as Chelsea, who we play tonight! But we faced them in the FA Cup last season and have an idea of what we’re up against. We’re more excited than we are nervous, so we can’t wait to get going.
The most important thing is that we focus on ourselves and our preparations and, every game, we learn more about ourselves and look to keep improving. We’ll have to adapt our approach each week, but we’re capable of doing that. Playing at the top level will be a big achievement and a great test this season – and none of us can wait.
The WSL is where we want to cement ourselves for the years to come, so hopefully, with your support, we can achieve that. I know that we can count on you again this season.
Enjoy the match, Aimee
We’ve
obviously added a lot of new faces to the group and as captain, it’s part of my role to make sure they feel welcome here – but that’s been easy so far, because all the new girls that have come in have been great additions to the squad
last time out
Although the day ended in defeat, Crystal Palace Women made club history as they took on Tottenham Hotspur at Brisbane Road – our first-ever Women’s Super League game…
Memories remained fresh of Palace’s spectacular final day of the 2023/24 season, when some 6,796 supporters – the club’s third record crowd of last season – attended the final-day 0-0 draw with Sunderland which sealed the Championship crown.
After a summer of busy transfer business (you can read more about all our new arrivals on pages 12-13); a carefully constructed pre-season programme; and a first-ever pre-season fixture abroad, the day was finally here.
The Eagles faced an opening-day trip to Tottenham Hotspur at Brisbane Road,where Kaminski set out her side in the same vein Palace finished last season: an attacking line-up, who aimed to dominate proceedings from the off.
With seven debutants in the starting XI, for the opening quarter-of-an-hour, Palace more than imposed themselves on last season’s FA Cup finalists.
However, moments after Becky Spencer had seen an effort kept out by Palace ‘keeper Shae Yañez, it was a Spurs debutant who struck first: Hayley Raso carried the ball into the box and opened the scoring for the hosts with a precise low finish across goal.
Palace continued to persist and had their best opening of the half on 35 minutes when Ashleigh Weerden managed to create space on the left flank, but her cross was too high for Katie Stengel, who could only head back across goal.
But whereas the first-half had proven an even contest, the second was more slanted in Spurs’ favour, with Palace going two goals down early on; England international Jessica Naz ran clear and, after Yañez’s initial good save, tapped home into an empty net.
Excellent goalkeeping from Yañez denied Beth England on 65 minutes,
Although the scoreline doesn’t reflect it, I felt like we really gave it 100% effort. That was for them. Their support is much appreciated, and we’re going to need that carrying forward
laura kaminski
but a fierce Drew Spence shot 10 minutes later – again a precise low finish from the edge of the area –made it 3-0 to the hosts.
Olga Ahtinen tested Yañez with a powerful effort on 83 minutes, before finding the net three minutes later with a fantastic strike into the top corner.
Palace ultimately ended the match with 10 players after two yellow cards in quick succession from second-half substitute Brooke Aspin.
“I think most of the positives came from the first-half,” Kaminski told Palace TV after the game. “I thought we were really bright in the first-half.
“We had a lot of possession of the ball, but it didn’t lead to many shots on target. So that’s again a piece that we want to progress on as we go on, and then obviously sustaining that first-half performance into the latter stages of the game.
“I thought towards the end, we started to look a little bit disorganised, so we’ve definitely got to take that
first-half performance, where there was loads of positives to build on.”
Palace are back in action at Selhurst Park tonight, with Kaminski looking forward to hearing more of the vociferous backing from the stands at Brisbane Road.
“[We are] so grateful,” she said of the support. “Some of the comments that I had at the end of the game were very heart-warming, saying: ‘We’re still with you.’
“Obviously today was disappointing for everybody, for the fans. But I did say to the players before the game: ‘It’s 100 percent effort for the fans that have travelled here on the first day to see us.’
“I felt like the players did deliver that, they really tried, obviously [including] the impact from the bench. Although the scoreline doesn’t reflect it, I felt like we really gave it 100% effort. That was for them.
“Their support is much appreciated, and we’re going to need that going forward.”
new arrivals
GOALKEEPERS -
It’s been a busy summer for the goalkeeping department, with two established shot-stoppers putting pen to paper in South London.
Shae Yañez won Player of the Match on her debut against Spurs last time out, having joined the club from Bristol City; before her six-month stint with the Robins, the American played for United States side San Diego Wave. “She was phenomenal,” said Kaminski of the goalkeeper. “She’s worked so hard in pre-season and has been a fantastic team member.”
Yañez is joined by Finland international Milla-Maj Majasaari continuing her career at the top-level at just 24-years-old. Her professional debut came, remarkably, as a 14-year-old in her native Finland, before moving to Sweden and later Belgium, where she impressed enough to earn a national
DEFENDERS
-
Two more full internationals have arrived at Selhurst Park as defensive reinforcement. Katrine Veje was Palace’s first signing after earning promotion, joining the club after two seasons at Everton. The 33-yearold has played professionally for 17 years, bringing experience to the dressing room accrued at club level and in gaining more than 160 international caps for Denmark.
Lily Woodham, a 29-cap Wales international, has joined the club on a short-term loan deal from Seattle Reign until January 2025, where she will link up with international teammates Elise Hughes and Josie Green.
Exciting talents Jorja Fox and Brooke Aspin have also joined the club on season-long loan deals from Chelsea, but are ineligible to face their parent club today.
MIDFIELDERS
-
At just 22-years-old, My Cato has achieved a great deal, becoming IFK Norrköping’s first-ever international call-up this summer, completing her journey from the third tier of Swedish football to the very top of the game.
Josie Green has 23 caps for Wales and plenty of Super League experience, having featured for both Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the top-flight, working under Laura Kaminski at the latter.
To complete a hat-trick of international midfield additions, Denmark star Mille Gejl has joined the club. As well as success at home, she lifted silverware in the United States with North Carolina Courage before heading to South London.
Talented teenager Lexi Potter has also rejoined the club on loan for the campaign, but cannot feature against her parent club today.
FORWARDS
Katie Stengel’s CV is an impressive read: Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Washington Spirit and the Utah Royals, with her vast experience set to benefit Palace in their debut WSL season – she scored nine goals in 21 appearances in her last WSL campaign in 2022/23.
At just 18-years-old, Poppy Pritchard is just beginning her career at the top level, and arrives on loan from Manchester City. She is an England youth international, having scored 13 goals in 13 appearances for the Under-19s side.
Netherlands international Ashleigh Weerden joins the club from Ajax, having lifted the title twice with her childhood club after joining at the age of 15.
Indiah-Paige Riley is our final addition of the summer window, making the switch from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven having begun her professional career with Australian side Brisbane Roar. She represented New Zealand at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
crystal palace
Get to know the squad ahead of tonight’s landmark WSL fixture against
squaddepth
st
Katie STENGEL
Poppy PRITCHARD
Elise HUGHES
lw
Ashleigh WEERDEN
Izzy ATKINSON
rw
Indiah-Paige RILEY
Abbie LARKIN
Mille GEJL
lb
Lily WOODHAM
Fliss GIBBONS
CB
Brooke ASPIN
Hayley NOLAN
Annabel BLANCHARD
My CATO
Shanade HOPCROFT am
Lexi POTTER cm
Chloe ARTHUR
Shae YAÑEZ
Annis-Clara WRIGHT Dm
Josie GREEN Jorja FOX
CB
Katrine VEJE
Aimee EVERETT
Milla-Maj MAJASAARI
Rb
Loaned In Academy Graduate New Signing
BE THE INVESTOR YOU WANT TO BE
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Official Trading Partner of Crystal Palace Football Club
chelsea f.c.
DOMESTIC DOMINATION
Seven Women’s Super League titles –the last five in a row – as well as five FA Cups, two League Cups, and six WSL Manager of the Season Awards – only a Champions League winners’ medal missing from the collection. It suffices to say that Emma Hayes set something of an impressive precedent, before her departure for the United States this summer, for new head coach Sonia Bompastor to follow.
A NEW ERA
Taking charge of one of the most successful clubs in Women’s world football, Bompastor arrives from Olympique Lyonnais Féminin with an impressive C.V. herself, having become the first person to win a UEFA Women’s Champions League as both a player and manager. The former midfielder won France’s domestic league in all three of her full seasons in charge, but it is on the continental stage it is hoped she will help Chelsea take the next step.
NEW ARRIVALS
Chelsea have backed up their new head coach with a range of impressive arrivals: Lionesses’ supporters will be well aware of serial trophy and accolade-winner Lucy Bronze’s arrival from Barcelona, alongside Catalan academy product Julia Bartel. Star performers from France have also arrived in the form of Oriane JeanFrançois and Sandy Baltimore.
RECENT MEETINGS
Whilst Chelsea will doubtlessly present Palace with one of their toughest examinations of their Super League credentials, the two teams have met recently: back in February, the Eagles challenged the Blues at Kingsmeadow in the FA Cup fifth round, and were only undone in the 81st minute with a wondergoal from then-world’s most expensive player Ramírez.
It’s almost impossible to pick just one name – and Sam Kerr, sidelined with an ACL injury, is still on her way back – but Colombian striker Mayra Ramírez is a difference-maker. Just ask Manchester United, whom she scored and assisted twice apiece against in May’s final, WSL title-winning day at Old Trafford. She was named as a nominee for the 2024 Ballon d’Or – Palace, be wary.
“It is always important to start with a win, especially in the first game at Kingsmeadow with the fans at our home. This win will bring some more confidence for the players and the team.” S. Bompastor
Crystal palace f.c. chelsea f.c.
Katrine VEJE
Fliss GIBBONS
Chloe ARTHUR
My CATO
Aimee EVERETT
Molly SHARPE
Elise HUGHES
Annabel BLANCHARD
Ashleigh WEERDEN
Poppy PRITCHARD
Josie GREEN
Hayley NOLAN
Lexi POTTER
Milla-Maj MAJASAARI (GK)
Indiah-Paige RILEY
Mille GEJL
Lily WOODHAM
Shanade HOPCROFT
Abbie LARKIN
Katie STENGEL
Jorja FOX
Shae YAÑEZ (GK)
Brooke ASPIN
Annis-Clara WRIGHT (GK)
Izzy ATKINSON
Zecira MUŠOVIĆ (GK)
Mia FISHEL
Aniek NOUWEN
Millie BRIGHT
Sophie INGLE
Sjoeke NÜSKEN
Mayra RAMÍREZ
Erin CUTHBERT
Catarina MACARIO
Lauren JAMES
Guro REITEN
Ashley LAWRENCE
Nathalie BJÖRN
Ève PÉRISSET
Júlia BARTEL
Sandy BALTIMORE
Wieke KAPTEIN
Johanna RYTTING KANERYD
Sam KERR
Niamh CHARLES
Lucy BRONZE
Maika HAMANO
Hannah HAMPTON (GK)
Maelys MPOMÉ
Kadeisha BUCHANAN
Oriane JEAN-FRANÇOIS
Alejandra BERNABÉ
Aggie BEEVER-JONES
Katie COX (GK)
E. Heaslip
J. Ashworth-Sears
E. Broad
G. Lowe