Morgan Elizabeth Aquino (Spanish: [aˈkino]) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as goalkeeper for the Australia national team. She has previously played for A-League clubs Perth Glory FC, where she won a A-League Women Golden Glove award, and Brisbane Roar FC, as well as American USL Super League club DC Power FC.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Morgan Elizabeth Aquino | ||
| Date of birth | 4 August 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Perth, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2020 | Perth Glory | 3 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Brisbane Roar | 4 | (0) |
| 2021–2024 | Perth Glory | 38 | (0) |
| 2024–2026 | DC Power FC | 40 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2017 | Australia U17 | ||
| 2019 | Australia U20 | ||
| 2024 | Australia U23 | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | Australia | 0 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 1 May 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 17 December 2024 | |||
Early life
editAquino started playing football alternating between goalkeeper and striker. She was scouted by then Western Australia state coach Elisa D'Ovideo, who selected her for the under-13 state team.[1]
Club career
editAquino started her professional career at her hometown club of Perth Glory, but did not make an appearance until January 2020, coming on as a half time substitute against Western Sydney Wanderers.[2] She made three appearances before signing for Brisbane Roar for the 2020–21 season.[3]
Aquino returned to Perth Glory the following season having made four appearances for the Roar, on a long-term deal.[4] From then on, she started making more regular appearances for the club, sharing goalkeeping duties with her fellow goalkeepers Courtney Newbon and Sarah Langman.[5]
Having established herself as Perth's first choice goalkeeper, Aquino went on to have a breakout season during the 2023–24 campaign. She played in every game and made a record 126 saves with a save percentage of 81.1%, which was the most of any goalkeeper in the league.[6] Her efforts this season earned her a place in both the PFA and A-League Women's teams of the season.
In July 2024, Aquino left Perth Glory to pursue an opportunity in the United States, joining USL Super League club DC Power FC as part of their inaugural playing roster for the 2024–25 season.[7] She soon became the club's first-choice goalkeeper, starting the majority of Power FC's games in its first season of play.[8] The following season, Aquino was named to the USL Super League Team of the Month for February 2026 after starting and playing the entirety of all of DC's matches to that point.[9] After her contract expired at the conclusion of the 2025–26 campaign, Aquino departed from Power FC.[10]
International career
editAquino has been called up to the Junior and Young Matildas squads,[11][1] and featured at the 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship.[12] On 15 May 2024, Aquino was called up to the U-23 Matildas squad for the upcoming Four Nations Tournament in Sweden.[13]
In November 2024, Aquino received her first senior call up to the Australian national team.[14]
Honours
editClub
editIndividual
edit- PFA A-League Women's Team of the Season: 2023–24[6]
- A-League Women's Goalkeeper of the Year: 2023–24[15]
- Perth Glory A-League Women Members' Player of the Season: 2023–24
- Perth Glory A-League Women Players' Player of the Season: 2023–24
References
edit- 1 2 Bennett, Neil (14 January 2020). "Morgan Aquino: The loneliness of the reserve goalkeeper". Beyond 90. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ "WLeague Stats". aleaguestats.com. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ Staff, KEEPUP (6 November 2020). "Young Matildas duo McKenna & Aquino sign on". Brisbane Roar. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ Staff, KEEPUP (20 May 2021). "Rising star Aquino returns to hometown club". Perth Glory. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ "Aquino on confidence, form, and the need to "get out there and enjoy it"". 6 March 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- 1 2 D'Urbano, Nicholas (2 May 2024). "PFA reveals player-voted 2023-24 A-League Women's Team of the Season". The PFA. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ "DC Power Football Club Announce Roster Ahead of Inaugural 2024/25 Season". DC Power Football Club. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ↑ "DC Power Football Club Player Stats". USL Super League. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "Two DC Power FC Players Named to Gainbridge Super League February Team of the Month". DC Power Football Club. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "DC Power Football Club Announce End-Of-Season Roster Updates". OurSports Central. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "Made in the Westfield W-League: Up-and-coming Westfield Junior & Young Matildas to watch this season | Matildas". www.matildas.com.au. 27 December 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ "Leah Blayney finalises Westfield Young Matildas squad for 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship | Matildas". www.matildas.com.au. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ "Andreatta confirms U-23 Women's National Team Four Nations Tournament squad | Football Australia". www.footballaustralia.com.au. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ↑ "CommBank Matildas 36 player squad called up for Brazil and Chinese Taipei internationals". Matildas. Football Australia. 15 November 2024.
- ↑ "Every Liberty A-League award winner: Julie Dolan Medalist, Fan Player of the Year & more". A-Leagues. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
