Canberra United coach Elisabeth Migchelsen wants to send retiring star Lori Lindsey out on a high and says the American veteran's work ethic makes her the perfect example to young players.
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Migchelsen also claims the short W-League season contributed to star goalkeeper Lydia Williams' serious knee injury, and that no spot is guaranteed as United aims to make amends for crashing out in the semi-finals last season.
Lindsey announced on Friday she would call time on her terrific career at the end of the 2014 season with United, finishing in late December.
The 34-year-old midfielder, who is playing for Washington Spirit in the US Women's National Soccer League, made 31 appearances for her country, including at the 2011 World Cup.
She was an influential figure in guiding United to the top of the W-League table before it was eliminated by Brisbane Roar.
Former Dutch international Migchelsen, who returned to Canberra this week to start preparations for her second season in charge, said Lindsey would be sorely missed.
''She's a very good player, brings balance to the team and is useful for our young players,'' Migchelsen said.
''She is 34, so I understand why it's her last season in the US and last season in Canberra.
''It's a loss because a lot of players could learn a lot from her with the way she plays and trains as a professional.''
United will start as one of the favourites for the title despite having a couple of changes to last season's squad.
Young Matildas representative Georgia Yeoman-Dale has joined the Newcastle Jets, while Chantel Jones has been recruited from Perth Glory to replace Williams.
The Matildas custodian is in a race to be fit for next year's women's World Cup after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the Western New York Flash during the W-League off-season.
While acknowledging the difficulties in balancing the different competitions around the world, Migchelsen said Williams could have had more accurate treatment if she played at just one club.
''Those things can happen when you don't have a full competition in Australia,'' Migchelsen said.
''If the players are here, you can manage your players.
''They train very different in the US, sometimes they train twice [a day].
''They come from our competition straight into another competition and people can be very badly injured.''
For the second straight season, United will have three Americans in its squad - Lindsey, Jones and attacker Stephanie Ochs - while Kendall Fletcher will return as a guest player.
Yeoman-Dale, 20, has joined the Jets in search of greater playing opportunities.
She was used anywhere from defence to midfield and in attack for United during her 29 appearances, many of those as a substitute, since making her debut in 2011.
United will next week announce its full roster for the upcoming W-League season starting in September, but Migchelsen said everyone would have to work for their positions.
"Every player starts at zero again, there are no guarantees,'' she said.
''Everyone challenges each other and the best 11 will start in the first round.
''We have a young squad and it's great to be back in this environment.''
