Logarzo: "I feel like I'm coming home."

Yesterday, Tony Gustavsson announced the 23-player squad to take on Uzbekistan in the CommBank Matildas' final hurdle towards Paris qualification. 

Three surprise faces delighted fans, with Michelle Heyman receiving her first call-up since 2018, Kaitlyn Torpey coming into camp for the first time and Chloe Logarzo, fighting through injury and heartbreak to make her return to the squad.

"It was something that I hadn't experienced in a long time. After being out for so long and missing out on something that I had dreamed of for so many years, it felt as special as my first call-up, if not even more," Logarzo explained when asked how it felt to be called up after more than 14 months since she last donned the green and gold.

With a horrible run of injuries including a torn ACL in 2021 and recurrent issues with plantar fasciitis, Logarzo heartbreakingly missed out on selection for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup™, although she was there in spirit and also contributed on the sidelines as an expert commentator.

During this time, she struggled with the realisation that she may never represent her country again, but being back in the fold, this upsetting reality has given Logarzo a fresh perspective and drive to succeed.

"I think it's good to dwell on the past, it gives me motivation to not allow myself to go back there," she said. 

"Wearing the green and gold, I feel like I've always done it for other people. To be able to pull the jersey back on, after doing my knee and thinking I would never get back to the player I was, would give me such a feeling of accomplishment for myself and it's always a great honour."

Playing for Western United in the A-League Women's since their inaugural season in 2022, it wasn't until this season that Logarzo began playing consistent minutes for the club. In 14 appearances, the co-captain has bagged five goals and two assists for her team, making her impossible to ignore for Gustavvson, but Logarzo says even she couldn't have predicted where she'd be today.

"At the start of the season, I wanted to retire. I wanted to give up on something that I didn't think I loved anymore," Logarzo shared. But with the help of her current team, her love for the game was reignited.

"Western United have been the perfect team and support for me. They've made me really enjoy playing again and I think being back here with the Matildas, is a byproduct of that environment," she said.

"It's re-ignited my passion for the game and my desire to be better every single day. I've been blessed to have the support of people like my assistant coach, who's looked at the mental side of my game and got me back into the mindset that I used to have and because of that, my love of the game is getting stronger and stronger."

Team bonding and connection have always been important to Logarzo and it's something that she's looking forward to picking up again when heading into camp with her Tillies family later this month.

"Being a part of this team, it's hard to put into words... We've spent most of our lives in the Matildas, so for me, it's such a massive part of my identity and who I am. We spend so much time together that we become family and when you're detached from the people that you care so much about, you lose a little part of yourself. 

"To be back here, feels like I'm coming home and I'm really excited to be with some of my best friends and doing the things that I love."

The CommBank Matildas will take on world number 47, Uzbekistan, in a two-match home-and-away series on 24 February 2024 at Tashkent’s Milliy Stadium (8.00 pm AEDT), before returning to Australia for the final Asian Qualifier on 28 February 2024 at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium (8.00 pm AEDT).