Aubrey Bledsoe shapes as a key figure for Sydney FC to build towards a second straight W-League title.
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In her second season at the club, the American goalkeeper has been rock solid in defence, conceding just eight goals in 2019/20.
So what's been the secret to Bledsoe's success? A journeywoman who hails from Shellharbour.
Trudy Burke is also in her second season with the sky blues as the club's reserve choice W-League stopper. As well as playing, Burke is Bledsoe's goalkeeping coach.
Burke grew up playing for Albion Park, the Illawarra Stingrays and Macarthur Rams. The 28-year-old went on to play at three W-League clubs - Canberra United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City - before joining Sydney FC in 2018.
"Trudy and I have an interesting relationship," Bledsoe, also 28, said.
"It's obviously a very unique role because, in one sense, she's training and coaching me. But at the same time, we're competing as teammates and goalkeepers.
"But Trudy's great, I've really enjoyed working with her. She's a hard worker and has a great attitude. She's great about making sure I feel confident and ready for games... she's really humble."
With two rounds remaining until finals, Sydney FC sit in second place on the W-League ladder. Their next challenge comes on Saturday afternoon when the sky blues host Perth Glory at WIN Stadium.
Bledsoe said she couldn't wait to return to Wollongong - but hoped to get a better result than last season's 2-0 loss to Melbourne City at the venue.
"Caitlin Foord's obviously from down there and we played there last year. It's a beautiful stadium, but it was really windy - I do remember that," the Cincinnati-born goalkeeper said.
"Sydney FC is an interesting club as we don't really have a home field. Due to scheduling, we kind of bounce around. We were just at Cromer Park in Manly and we've played a few games at Jubilee Oval in Kogarah. It's different, but I kind of enjoy bouncing around to all the different areas. You do feel like a Sydney team because we go out and reach all of our fan bases. It's one way to embrace not having one specific venue.
"I know we drew a good crowd last year [in Wollongong] and hopefully we do the same again. Hopefully we'll get a good win on a beautiful pitch, in front of a good home crowd."
Bledsoe, who is on loan from US club Washington Spirit, said Sydney FC were on track to defend their title.
"I'd be disappointed with anything less than a grand final. But it looks like we'll miss out on a [minor] premiership," she said.
"But we can build good momentum in these last two regular season games, get momentum through the playoffs and definitely win it from there."
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