Former Perth Glory goalkeeper Morgan Aquino opens up on breakthrough year which led to Matildas call-up

Ex-Perth Glory goalkeeper Morgan Aquino has opened up on her farewell A-League Women’s season, attributing her stunning breakout year to a surge in confidence and a clear mindset. And while the 23 year-old has no regrets over her off-season move to America as she she looks to extract the most out of her burgeoning career, she has left the door open for a potential return to Perth in the future. Aquino capped off an outstanding 2024 when she was named in the Matildas’ squad for their recent four-game international series, although a senior national team debut eluded her. It came after her final year with the Glory ended with a slew of awards, including Professional Football Australia’s goalkeeper of the season and the A-League Women’s goalkeeper of the year award. At the start of last season, many assumed recently-acquired Young Matildas goalkeeper Sally James would win the number one jersey over Aquino. “People don’t understand how tough it is having to keep your position, because either you get that number one spot and you’re not challenged, and then it makes training and games go by ... there’s no challenge with that,” Aquino told The West Australian. “But then, on the other hand, when you bring in two people that can play week in, week out, it’s quite stressful.” Instead, Aquino started every game last season, and attributed her confidence to a clearer mindset, while also crediting James for pushing her. “Previous seasons to last, I was more stressed with being in and out of teams, but that last year, I was backed in regardless if I made a mistake or not,” she said. “I was always kept on my toes; ‘I can’t make a mistake, or I’ll be dropped.’” “Whereas last year, I went into it to enjoy it, whatever happens, I knew I was backed in, even if I made a mistake, I would have been okay. “But Sally pushed me a lot, and I’m grateful for it, because I don’t think I’d be the same if I wasn’t challenged week and week out.” Aquino’s season led to an overseas offer from DC Power in the USL W League and a sizable contract offer, believed to be triple her previous wages at the Glory. It was an offer Aquino could not refuse, and she has no regrets over her decision to leave friends, family and home comforts. “Having soccer purely just to focus on, there’s no external factors...I’ve really got that one main focus, which is good. That’s where I grow as well — the club’s been very supportive and I think I’ve grown a lot already just in this short space of time,” she said. “It’s a higher level and getting consistent game time over there for me was important, and I’m getting that.” However, that does not mean Aquino does not miss her former stomping ground. “I was at Glory for a long time, and if I play in the A-League again, that’s obviously the club I want to play for; being close to home and having that support week in, week out,” she said. “Every time I played last season, I brought 50 people with me, that was my entourage every time. It was really nice to know that in the crowd, I always had people to look for. “I only really played or had the number one spot for one year; for me, it was important to get out when I could, just because I didn’t want to repeat some previous seasons when I was in and out the team, and capitalise on the opportunities when they came.”