Nix quartet off to the U.S.A.

Four Wellington Phoenix squad members have been called up to the Football Ferns for their upcoming tour to the United States.

Foundation players Kate Taylor and Mackenzie Barry and new recruits Betsy Hassett and Paige Satchell have been named in the Ferns squad for next month’s internationals against Mexico and the Philippines in California.

Taylor, 18, is fresh from captaining the Junior Football Ferns at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica, after making her senior bow in June.

“Kate was one of the most experienced and more successful players at the Under-20 World Cup – her performances are worthy of the call up,” head coach Jitka Klimková said.

Centre back partner Barry also travelled to Europe for the Ferns’ most recent matches against Norway and Wales, but is yet to make her international debut.

SAITAMA, JAPAN – JULY 24: Betsy Hassett #12 of Team New Zealand battles for possession with Lindsey Horan #9 of Team United States during the Women’s First Round Group G match between New Zealand and United States on day one of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Hassett and Satchell are both established members of Klimková’s squad and will hope to guide the Football Ferns to their first win of 2022.

Hassett, who boasts 132 international caps, will join the team from Iceland, where she is playing for Stjarnan, while Satchell has been part of the A-League off-season programme with Taylor and Barry in Auckland.

The matches will be played at New Zealand-friendly times, with the international against Mexico to kick-off at 1pm NZT on Saturday, September 3 before the friendly against the Philippines at 12pm NZT on Wednesday, September 7.