NWSL preparing Torpey for USWNT, debut Olympics

Matildas utility Kaitlyn Torpey hasn’t been in the NWSL long, signing for San Diego Wave in February, but the league is already having a massive impact on her development ahead of her debut Olympics.

The 24-year-old has had a whirlwind 2024, making the move from Melbourne City in the A-League Women to San Diego as well as making her Matildas debut in Uzbekistan and following it up with a goal in Melbourne to help Australia qualify for Paris 2024.

While she has had limited game time for the Wave — thanks in part to a lower leg injury which has hampered her Olympic preparations but is “going well and should be all good from here” she told ESPN’s

“It’s been a really big challenge. And I’m up against some pretty world class players every week,” Torpey said.

“I’m lucky enough that we get to verse some of them in the Olympics now, so I’ll know them pretty well.”

The NWSL was a destination Torpey always had her eye on and praised the “competitive” competition. “It’s a really quality league, and that’s why it’s attracting these players again, and seeing really, really quality players and coaches and everybody.”

Torpey not only comes up against those quality players on match day but gets to train with them within the San Diego environment. Players like Naomi Girma, Jaedyn Shaw, Kailen Sheridan, and Matildas teammate Emily van Egmond will all be joining her at the Olympics, while the likes of Alex Morgan make for a world class training environment.

She will come up against her American teammates on the decisive third match day in Marseille and while she is excited by every team in the group, there is one side she has her eye on in particular.

“I guess the US I’m a little bit more excited to play, because I know some of the girls in the team, and I’ve versed some of the girls in our league. They’re going to be a really good side as well,” Torpey told ESPN’s The Far Post podcast.