Family ties but no divided loyalties for Canberra United's Taren King in Sydney FC clash

The King family spend their summer traveling across the country to watch the Canberra United midfielder and her brother Joel King plying their trade in the nation's premier leagues.

King is playing her third season with United while 19-year-old Joel has launched his career at Sydney FC.

Their older brother Scott is their biggest fan. Each year he gets the same thing for Christmas - one lime green jersey, and one sky blue.

So there'll be no divided loyalties when King comes up against Sydney's W-League side at McKellar Park on Monday.

"We're pretty lucky. Our family travels as far and wide as they can to come and see us when they have the time too," King said.

"Most weeks they come down to watch me on a Sunday, then watch Joel on a Friday or whenever he's playing.

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"Both my parents and older brother are very supportive of us and they're buying into it as well.

"My older brother has a disability and is probably both of our biggest fans. He's always sitting on the sideline and also watches our warm up. We're very lucky."

Joel made his A-League debut in the final round of last season with Sydney and has become a surprise mainstay in defence.

An injury to former Socceroo Michael Zullo in the pre-season opened the door for the teenager to stake his claim on the left back position. He's played 11 games, including seven starts, for Sydney this season.

"Joel has always wanted to play at a high level and has been a member of Sydney FC since he was eight years old," King said.

"It was very special for us [when he made his debut] and we all got the opportunity to watch him in Newcastle. It was awesome, my mum and nan were shedding tears.

"If I can't make it to the game in person then I'm always watching on TV, it's nice to be able to do that.

"I always try to get to Sydney as much as possible to see his game, I'm very grateful for when I can for sure. When I play in Sydney, he's always there."

United's rescheduled clash with Sydney looms as a chance to reinstate their position as a top four challenger, having been dealt two shattering losses to the league's ladder leaders in recent weeks.

Canberra slumped to sixth on the ladder and they will meet a strong Sky Blues outfit who are hunting down an opportunity to reassert their dominance.

"It's going to prove to be a very important match," King said.

"We need to put points on the board so we can start pushing for at least fourth place.

"We're getting down to the pointy end of the season, we don't want to be going into the last two or three games needing to get maximum points. If we win, I think it'll take the pressure off."

"Sydney is always a strong side, you can see with the roster they've got, they're not weak at all.

"They haven't had the strongest season considering their players this year, but who knows, they might come into form. Hopefully with a few sessions before the game, we can figure out how to break them down and score a few goals."