Fort Lauderdale United's Sophie Harding on Getting Her First Matildas Call-Up, Playing in America, and Her Goals for Club and Country

In today's episode, LDG is joined by Fort Lauderdale United and Matildas (Australia WNT) forward Sophie Harding!We sit down with one of Australia’s rising stars to trace her journey from childhood to the professional game. She reflects on her earliest soccer memories and growing up between England and Australia, sharing how her family and multicultural background shaped her identity and approach to the sport. The conversation follows her rise through Australia’s system, from standout form in the second division to becoming a key figure in the A-League with Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers, while offering insight into how those early professional years developed her game and perspective.We also dive into her first call-up to the Australian national team, what that moment meant, and the jump in level she experienced on the international stage. From there, she discusses her move to the Gainbridge Super League, what initially drew her to the new league, and why Fort Lauderdale United stood out as the right next step in her career. She closes by giving a look inside preseason with a new-look squad, making the case for why fans should tune in, and outlining both her short-term goals for the season and her long-term ambitions in the game.Thank you for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!