Mackenzie Rastatter had packed up her life after a stint playing in Perth and had headed home to the United States.
Then she got put in touch with Southern United coach Kris Ridley, who asked if she was interested in playing a season in New Zealand as part of the National League.
"I got connected here with Kris and within a matter of, I think, three weeks from talking to him, I was out here," Rastatter said.
It is a decision she is relishing after linking up with Southern United and loving her first taste of life in Dunedin.
"It’s been great. We’ve got a great team, great set of coaches and a great atmosphere.
"It’s been really fun getting to know every one and getting to see how every one plays and just building as a team really."
Rastatter, who plays centre back or left back, is living with fellow American Southern United team-mate Emma Vane. Their home towns are about 45 minutes from each other and they played a summer season in San Francisco together.
"We’re slowly getting out and seeing everything. It’s been lovely," Rastatter said.
Rastatter, 24, grew up in Santa Cruz, California, playing top level football, before being recruited to play at Grambling State University, in Louisiana, and spent four years at the division one school.
"It was incredible and I made a lot of friends, had a great time and got to play against some great teams as well and . . . great experience and exposure."
Her coach helped kick-start her professional career when she connected Rastatter with a team in England in early 2023.
Rastatter joined Keynsham Town LFC, based in between Bristol and Bath, where she played tier four women’s national league football.
After five months in Europe, she headed home to play in San Francisco — where she played several times during her college summer break — and then inked a contract in Perth.
She played for UWA Nedlands, which she described as another incredible opportunity.
"I’ve been very fortunate for amazing team-mates, coaches and experiences and Perth’s just a beautiful place to be.
"That was really fun. I made the State team, so we got to play against Perth Glory, which was a great experience as well."
Football was massive in the United States and England — "it’s just so much more part of their culture" — and she felt it was building that direction in Australia and New Zealand.
"I think it’s so great to see just how different it can be everywhere."
Playing in the National League had been packed with passion and was a great quality, which Rastatter enjoyed.
Working with Ridley, and the management team, had made the opportunity even better.
"They’re just so fun and they make sure we as people are doing well first. They really let us play and then are open to feedback.
"It’s just been such an incredible experience so far because of them."
Southern sit fourth on the ladder with one win, one draw and one loss. They are away to newcomers Petone in Lower Hutt this afternoon.
Rastatter felt they improved through their opening three games but needed to manage possession better where they could.
"Just really being more intentional in the final third. Our midfield, they’ve been so strong for us and just keeping the possession, and working on really keeping that first touch so that we can offer a great next step after that."
In the other games, Eastern Suburbs are home to Canterbury United Pride, Central hosts Western Springs, Phoenix Reserves play Auckland United and West Coast Rangers meet Wellington United.
