Canberra United are taking confidence in starting their W-League campaign at home as Heather Garriock's side look to become a top-four challenger this season.
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The 2019-20 W-League draw was published on Friday, with Canberra to start their season with home games against Perth Glory (November 17) and Melbourne City (November 24) at McKellar Park.
Canberra will play six home matches over the 14-round competition, including two Thursday night fixtures in rounds four and seven.
The W-League club will continue to host evening matches at McKellar Park despite complaints from nearby residents last year.
A light-pollution complaint from two nearby residents led to the venue turning off its lights for night-time action this year, forcing the local premier league to abandon the stadium for evening fixtures.
Capital Football allocated McKellar Park as the Canberra's home venue for the 2019-20 season after Belconnen Soccer Club reached a solution for the lights to be used.
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Garriock takes confidence in opening their campaign at McKellar Park and says it's the perfect way to start the season.
"I don't look too deeply into the draw but I think the most important thing is to start off on a good foot and play our first two games at home," Garriock said.
"It's going to be fantastic for all the fans in Canberra to support us in that first game on November 17."
Garriock's side beat Melbourne City 2-0 in their season-opener last year, but finished eighth overall with three wins, four draws and five losses.
The club has announced seven signings for the upcoming season, including goalkeeper Shamiran Khamis.
Khamis returns to the capital for her second straight season with Canberra, having previously played with Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper said "it's tough coming to McKellar Park" as an opposition and hopes the schedule will help Canberra push towards breaking their three-year finals drought.
"We're playing at home and they're coming to our territory," Khamis said.
"Getting a good start to the W-League is really important this season. Once you get off to a good start then you can set the bar high and then you've got teams catching up with you.
"That's going to be our goal. We're going to take each week as it comes, but it's fantastic to start at home.
"We've got a goal and want to make the top four. That's my goal as a goalkeeper and to do whatever I can to help get three points each week."
Canberra began preparations for the upcoming season on Monday and are trialing players to fill their last contracts.
The club has two positions remaining on their roster for domestic players and will finalise the squad within the next fortnight.
"We've got eight to ten players vying for those contracts," Garriock said.
"It's been super competitive and they're here to impress. The most important thing is that they bring a sense of intensity and commitment.
"The players I've recruited this season all want to be here and are stinging to play for Canberra United."
Canberra are yet to announce their four international signings, with Elise Thorsnes returning to the club as a guest player.
International players are yet to arrive in the capital due to National Soccer League duties and other commitments, but two are expected to join the squad within the next fortnight.
"They'll bring the intensity of training and demand a lot," Garriock said.
"We can't wait for them to be here as well. There's four weeks to go and we're absolutely buzzing.
"The next couple of weeks is important to get our conditioning base and our philosophies narrowed down and for the players to understand what we really want."
Meanwhile Karly Roestbakken and new recruit Annalee Grove have joined the Young Matildas for a brief camp before the AFC under-19 women's championship kicks off in Thailand.
Leah Blayney's side will play three matches against Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, for a chance to advance to the competition's semi-finals.
Roestbakken and Grove will recommence their preparations with Canberra United when they return from Thailand in early November.
CANBERRA UNITED FIXTURES
Round 1: Canberra United v Perth Glory at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday November 17
Round 2: Canberra United v Melbourne City at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday November 24
Round 3: Newcastle Jets v Canberra United at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.30pm Saturday November 30
Round 4: Canberra United v Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park, 7.30 Thursday December 5
Round 5: Perth Glory v Canberra United at Dorrien Gardens, 10.15pm (AEST) Friday December 13
Round 6: Adelaide United v Canberra United at Marden Sports Complex, 4pm Sunday December 22
Round 7: Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers at McKellar Park, 7.30pm Thursday December 26
Round 8: Canberra United v Sydney FC at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday January 5
Round 9: Melbourne City v Canberra United at ABD Stadium, Thursday January 9
Round 10: Bye
Round 11: Melbourne Victory v Canberra United at Lakeside Stadium, 4pm Sunday January 26
Round 12: Canberra United v Adelaide United at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday February 16
