We pick our Adelaide United team of the decade as the Reds’ glittering 10-year period ends
Adelaide United has claimed five major trophies in a glittering 10-year period. So as the 2010s draw to a close, we’ve selected our Reds team of the decade. See who has made our cut and then have your say.
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Three FFA Cups, a Premiers Plate and a breakthrough A-League championship.
This decade represents a glittering era in the short history of Adelaide United.
But as the 2010s draw to a close, who would make the Reds’ all-star XI of the past 10 years?
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From club greats and loyal servants, to gun imports and rising talents, the SA outfit has been blessed with an abundance of key performers.
Let the debate begin as we present our Adelaide United team of the decade, then tell us who you would select in the comments section below:
Goalkeeper – Eugene Galekovic (captain)
The club’s record appearance holder, longest-serving captain and title-winning skipper is an obvious first choice, having attained legend status before joining Adelaide’s coaching staff.
Galekovic, a four-time A-League goalkeeper of the year, was a model of consistency in 284 games in all competitions, as well as an imposing and inspiring figure between the posts.
Right back – Michael Marrone
SA-born Socceroo Marrone has been the ultimate unsung hero in 179 matches for United, going about his business with a minimum of fuss but always with a team-first attitude.
The full back, who is the only player to have featured in Adelaide’s hat-trick of FFA Cup final wins, reads the game superbly and is currently impressing in the heart of defence.
Centre back – Dylan McGowan
Another to shine in the club’s championship side, McGowan spent three campaigns with his hometown outfit after cutting his teeth in the Scottish Premier League with Hearts.
His tough tackling and composed distribution laid the foundation for three trophies in that period, and also earned him a surprise Reds Golden Boot in the disastrous 2016/17 term.
Centre back – Michael Jakobsen
He is only midway through his second United season, but Jakobsen’s immense contribution in back-to-back cup wins makes him one of Adelaide’s best acquisitions of the past decade.
Calm on the ball and commanding in the air, the Danish international’s leadership qualities marked him out as an obvious choice to inherit the captain’s armband earlier this year.
Left back – Cassio
Former coach Aurelio Vidmar knew he had unearthed a gem in 2007 when he brought the Brazilian dynamo to Australia, fresh from shining for powerhouse Flamengo in his homeland.
Cassio repaid his faith, racking up 158 games in seven campaigns and becoming a firm fan-favourite with his pace, creativity and eye for goal as an overlapping full back.
Defensive midfielder – Isaias
The Spanish-born linchpin was the Reds’ driving force for the bulk of the decade, claiming four club champion awards and scoring a trademark free kick in the 2016 grand final success.
He later captained the United to its second FFA Cup and became an Australian citizen, before his departure for Qatar this past off-season left a gaping hole in Adelaide’s engine room.
Attacking midfielder – Marcelo Carrusca
Argentinian maestro Carrusca was a born entertainer and the archetypal South American playmaker, boasting silky control, a sublime range of passing and a lethal left foot.
His five stellar seasons pulling the Reds’ offensive strings were rewarded when he played a central role in their inaugural cup triumph and inspired their double triumph a year later.
Attacking midfielder – Marcos Flores
The most contentious selection on the list, given he managed just 38 appearances in 18 months with the Reds en route to China and, eventually, bitter rival Melbourne Victory.
But the sheer joy and excitement the Argentinian brought to the club is unmatched, as his eight goals and creative genius landed him Adelaide’s sole Johnny Warren Medal in 2010/11.
Right wing – Sergio Cirio
Diminutive, dazzling and destructive, the Spaniard kept Reds fans on the edge of their seats with his mazy dribbles and crucial goals, including the 2014 cup decider winner.
An excitement machine, capable of a piece of magic out of nothing, Cirio was primarily left-sided, but had the versatility and quality to excel anywhere across the front third.
Striker – Sergio van Dijk
The Dutch-born, Indonesian international remains the only United player to win the A-League Golden Boot and plundered an impressive 29 strikes in 71 games in all competitions.
A brilliant target man, equally adept on the ground as in the air, van Dijk is fondly remembered for a superb double in a 4-1 away thumping of traditional foe Melbourne Victory.
Left wing – Craig Goodwin
SA’s Socceroos speedster starred in two spells with the Reds, the second of which ended in 10 league goals, a competition-high nine assists and a stunning FFA Cup final brace last summer.
Goodwin, United’s 2016 club champion, added devastating end product to the bag of tricks he always possessed, before his exit for Saudi Arabia this past off-season.
Substitutes
Paul Izzo, Jordan Elsey, Tarek Elrich, Awer Mabil, Travis Dodd, Mathew Leckie, Bruce Djite.
Coach – Guillermo Amor
Spanish mentor Josep Gombau laid the foundation for success with Adelaide’s maiden cup triumph, while Marco Kurz and Gertjan Verbeek continued the knockout glory.
But Barcelona great Amor’s miracle in turning a winless eight-game start in 2015/16 into the Reds’ lone A-League title, earns him the coaching reigns for this star-studded line-up.