With Auckland's expansion into the Australian A-League confirmed, Wellington Phoenix hope to make the most of their remaining chances to consolidate their support in what will soon be enemy territory.
Both the men and women have travelled north for a Saturday doubleheader at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, the likely homeground for the as-yet-unnamed Auckland teams.
The Phoenix women have an extra season win to win over their farflung fans and are determined not to waste this opportunity, when they take on top-of-the-table Perth Glory.
"Being the only New Zealand team at the moment, it's important to get the buy-in from the whole country," said goalkeeper Rylee Foster. "Having an opportunity to be in Auckland... we want to make an impression and get the fans' buy-in.
"We want to get the media, the commercial rights... all that kind of stuff as well.
"This opportunity isn't just about the points - it's also about getting the buy-in from the entire country and getting them on our side, before Auckland get their team set."
While new franchise will launch its men's team next season, the women's debut has been delayed another 12 months, perhaps missing an opportunity, after the popularity of the Women's World Cup hosted in Australia and New Zealand this year.
Canadian Foster can see the logic behind that decision.
The Phoenix entered the Aussie men's competition in 2007 - one year before the women's league was launched - but did not field a women's team until 2021, 13 years later.
"It gives us more of a chance to grow our club and our brand prior to them coming in," said Foster. "Look, some things need to be ironed out before you release a team.
"For the women, it's good to see they are releasing their men's team first and they're getting rid of all the creases in the shirts, so when the women come in, the foundation's laid for them.
"For us, it's a matter of focusing on who we are, what we are and what we represent. When the other team comes in, it will be another opponent and we'll already have our foundation set."
Three years after their entry into the league, the Phoenix women are beginning to reap the rewards of a tough baptism that saw a very young roster marooned across the Tasman, away from families and support networks, during COVID-19.
After winning back-to-back games for the first time, they extended that run to three straight victories to establish themselves near the top of the table and can strength their claims even more with a result against Perth.
Under new coach Paul Temple, the Phoenix have transformed from a development programme to an elite outfit that includes seasoned imports like Foster, who played three years at University of West Virginia, before signing with English glamour club Liverpool.
A serious car crash stalled her progress and her arrival in Wellington has relaunched her career, after almost two years learning to walk again.
Foster, 25, admits she was ignorant to what women's football in New Zealand would offer and has been pleasantly surprised. The creation of another A-League franchise only increases the opportunities available.
"It's growing and it's exciting to see that," she said. "Having more competition, more teams in this country only makes better opportunities and bigger contracts for those players.
"There will be competition to keep players in your club and now we will have an in-country rival - that's exciting for us as well.
"To see it growing is promising and I think it will bring bigger talent into the country."
