Lydia Williams facts for kids
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Williams playing for Australia at the 2017 Algarve Cup
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams | ||
| Date of birth | 13 May 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Katanning, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
|
Current team
|
Melbourne Victory | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Tuggeranong United | |||
| Woden Valley | |||
| 2004–2008 | AIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2012 | Canberra United | 46 | (0) |
| 2009 | Chicago Red Stars | 0 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Piteå IF | 24 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Canberra United | 12 | (0) |
| 2014 | Western New York Flash | 14 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | Canberra United | 10 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Houston Dash | 15 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | → Melbourne City (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2017–2019 | Reign FC | 21 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | → Melbourne City (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | → Melbourne City (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Melbourne City | 14 | (0) |
| 2020–2022 | Arsenal | 11 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Paris Saint-Germain | 1 | (0) |
| 2023 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 7 | (0) |
| 2023– | Melbourne Victory | 11 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2006–2007 | Australia U20 | 14 | (0) |
| 2005–2024 | Australia | 104 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024 |
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Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams (born 13 May 1988) is an Australian professional soccer player. She plays as a goalkeeper for A-League Women club Melbourne Victory. She was also a key member of the Australia national team, known as the Matildas.
Williams has played for many top clubs around the world. These include Melbourne City and Canberra United in Australia. She also played for teams like Reign FC, Houston Dash, and the Western New York Flash in the United States. In Europe, she played for Piteå IF in Sweden and Arsenal in England.
Lydia Williams has won several awards for her amazing skills. She was named the PFA Women's Footballer of the Year twice. She also won the W-League Goalkeeper of the Year award three times. Lydia is part of the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame. She even wrote a children's book called Saved!!! in 2019.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams was born on 13 May 1988. Her birthplace was Katanning, Western Australia. Lydia grew up in a mining town called Kalgoorlie. Her father was Aboriginal, and her mother was American. She went to St Joseph's School in Kalgoorlie. When she was eleven, her family moved to Canberra.
In November 2019, Lydia wrote her children's book, Saved!!!. The book shares her life story. It talks about growing up in the desert. It also covers her journey to becoming a successful Aboriginal female football player.
Club Career Highlights
Lydia Williams started playing junior football for Tuggeranong and Woden. These clubs are in the Australian Capital Territory. Later, she joined the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program.
Playing for Canberra United
Williams joined the Australian W-League team Canberra United in 2008. She was their main goalkeeper in 2009. Canberra finished fourth that season. They made it to the Playoffs but lost to Sydney FC.
In the 2010–11 W-League season, Williams played in all eleven matches. Canberra finished third. They reached the semi-finals but lost in a penalty shootout.
Time with Western New York Flash and Houston Dash
In 2014, Lydia joined the Western New York Flash in the United States. She played 14 games as their starting goalkeeper. She had two games where she didn't let any goals in. Sadly, she got a serious knee injury (an ACL injury) that year. This injury happened while she was playing for Australia.
After her injury, Williams returned to Australia. She played for Canberra United in the 2015–16 W-League season. She helped Canberra finish second. They made it to the Playoffs but lost in the semi-finals.
In January 2016, Williams signed with the Houston Dash. She played 15 games as their starting goalkeeper. Fans even voted two of her saves as "Save of the Week."
Success with Melbourne City (Loan)
After her time with Houston, Williams went on loan to Melbourne City. This was for the 2016–17 W-League season. She played 15 games and helped Melbourne City finish fourth. They made it to the Finals.
Williams was amazing in the semi-final. She kept Canberra United from scoring any goals. She continued her strong defense in the Grand Final. Melbourne City won 2–0 against Perth Glory. After this great season, Williams was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year.
Reign FC and Melbourne City Return
In 2017, Williams was traded to Seattle Reign FC in the United States. She made three starts for them. The Reign finished fifth that season.
In October 2017, Williams rejoined Melbourne City for the 2017–18 W-League season. She helped them finish fourth and reach the Finals. Melbourne City won the Grand Final 2–0 against Sydney FC. This was their third championship in a row.
Williams was the starting goalkeeper for Reign FC in 2018. She played 17 games. The Reign finished third and made it to the Playoffs. She was also one of the top three finalists for the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Williams returned to Melbourne City for the 2019–20 W-League season. She played 14 matches and had nine shutouts (games with no goals against her). Melbourne City finished first without losing any games. They won their semi-final match. In the Grand Final, Williams helped them win 1–0 against Sydney FC. This secured another championship for the team.
Playing for Arsenal (England)
In July 2020, Williams signed a one-year contract with Arsenal. This team plays in England's WSL. She had ankle surgery before the season started. On 18 November 2020, Williams played her first game for Arsenal. It was in a cup match against Tottenham Hotspur. She made her league debut on 6 December 2020.
Paris Saint-Germain and Brighton & Hove Albion
On 21 July 2022, Williams signed a one-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain in France. She left the club in January 2023 after playing two official matches.
On 19 January 2023, Williams joined Brighton & Hove Albion in England. She signed a contract until June 2024.
Return to Melbourne Victory
In September 2023, Williams returned to Australia. She signed a two-year contract with Melbourne Victory.
International Career with Australia
Lydia Williams has played for Australia's senior and under-20 national teams. She was first called to train with the senior team when she was just 15. This was her first time hearing about the Matildas, Australia's national women's soccer team.
In 2006, she played for Australia in the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup and the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship.
FIFA Women's World Cups
- 2007 World Cup: At 19, Williams was chosen for the Matildas squad for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China. She did not play in any matches. Australia reached the quarter-finals.
- 2011 World Cup: Williams shared the goalkeeper role with Melissa Barbieri at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. Williams started one group stage match, helping Australia win 3–2 against Equatorial Guinea. Australia reached the quarter-finals again.
- 2015 World Cup: Williams was the main goalkeeper for Australia at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. She helped Australia get a 2–0 win against Nigeria. She also had a 1–1 draw against Sweden. Australia finished second in their tough group. In the Round of 16, Williams made an amazing save against Brazil. This save helped Australia win 1–0, their first World Cup win against Brazil. Australia then lost 1–0 to Japan in the quarter-finals.
- 2019 World Cup: Williams was the starting goalkeeper at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. Australia won against Brazil and Jamaica. They finished second in their group. In the Round of 16, Australia tied 1–1 with Norway but lost in a penalty shootout.
Olympic Games
- 2016 Rio Olympics: The Matildas qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Williams was in goal for their first match against Canada. Australia tied 2–2 with Germany and won 6–1 against Zimbabwe. They reached the quarter-finals. In a thrilling match against Brazil, Williams saved a penalty kick. However, Australia lost 7–6 in the penalty shootout.
- Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Williams was part of the Australian team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Matildas reached the quarter-finals. They beat Great Britain 4–3 in extra time. They lost 1–0 to Sweden in the semi-final. Then, they were beaten 4–3 by the USA in the bronze medal match.
On 28 June 2022, Williams played her 100th match for Australia. This was in a friendly game against Portugal. On 5 May 2024, Williams announced she would retire from international football after the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her final game for the Matildas was on 4 June 2024, a 2-0 win against China.
Personal Life
Lydia Williams has a pet dog named Caviar.
Honours and Awards
Canberra United FC
Australia
- AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2010
- AFF Women's Championship: 2008
- Tournament of Nations: 2017
- FFA Cup of Nations: 2019
Individual Awards
- Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame
- Deadly Award for Female Sportsperson of the Year: 2006
- PFA Women's Footballer of the Year: 2011–12, 2015–16
- W-League Goalkeeper of the Year: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2016–17
- PFA W-League Team of the Season: 2016–17
- IFFHS AFC Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020
See also
In Spanish: Lydia Williams para niños
- List of Indigenous Australian sportspeople
- List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA Women's World Cups
