Adelaide United

Adelaide United – Quick Stats

Most Appearances: Travis Dodd (159)
Top Goal Scorer: Travis Dodd (35)
A-League Championships: 0
Best Regular Season Finish: 1st (2005-2006)
Best AFC Champions League Result: Runners-up (2008)

About the Adelaide United A-League Football Club

Adelaide United are one of three current A-League sides that existed prior to the A-League’s inaugural season in 2005-2006. The club was formed in September 2003, just in time to take part in the 2003-2004 National Soccer League season, following the withdrawal of Adelaide City from the NSL. United’s first campaign was to be the last ever season of the NSL, but arising from the former league’s ashes came the A-League; a new-look, streamlined competition featuring Adelaide as one of eight clubs.

Their initial A-League roster was a modest one, at least compared to several other start-up clubs. Former NSL Player of the Year Fernando and Chinese striker Qu Shengqing were the two biggest names in the squad, which also included South Australian natives Travis Dodd, Angelo Costanzo and Lucas Pantelis. Under coach John Kosmina ‘the reds’, as they are known, finished the 2005-2006 regular season in first place before eventually bowing out 1-0 at the hands of the Central Coast Mariners in the preliminary final. Adelaide established two intense rivalries in version one of the A-League. Victorian neighbours Melbourne Victory were considered United’s derby rivals and Sydney FC – who were touted as the league’s ‘glamour club’ – became rivals of the reds as both sides were neck-and-neck at the top of the table throughout the season.

The 2006-2007 season saw Adelaide score a major marketing coup – not only for themselves, but for the league as a whole – with the signing of Brazilian legend Romario, albeit on a short-term, four-week deal. The former FIFA World Player of the Year was 40 years old when he was signed by United, and – although he boasts perhaps the most prolific club and international goal scoring record in the history of football – he proved to be a disappointment for the reds, netting just once in five appearances as he struggled to cope with the physical aspect of Australian football. The reds finished the 2006-2007 regular season in second place behind Premiers Melbourne Victory. They went on to reach the grand final only to be annihilated 6-0 by Melbourne, a result which fuelled the already existing rivalry even more.

In 2008 Adelaide shook off a disappointing third A-League campaign – which saw them finish sixth and miss the finals series for the first time – by reaching the final of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League. The reds enjoyed a dream run under new coach Aurelio Vidmar as they went undefeated to finish top of their group, before beating J-League side Kashima Antlers 2-1 on aggregate in a two-leg quarter final. They then outclassed FC Bunyodkor of the Uzbek League 3-1 in their two-leg semi final tie, but were defeated 3-0 by Gamba Osaka in the first leg of the final, before sadly losing the second 2-0 in front of a capacity home crowd at Hindmarsh Stadium.

In 2008-2009 United were again bridesmaids to the Victory for both the regular season Premiership and the Championship, this time going down 1-0 in the grand final. The reds began last season in financial disarray after former owner Nick Bianco walked out on the club, which left governing body Football Federation Australia to seize control. Seven months later they finished as wooden spooners for the first time in the club’s history. This season has seen Adelaide bounce back to the top of the table with an impressive run of form under Dutchman Rini Coolen – the club’s first foreign coach and third A-League coach overall.

Current Key Players: Marcos Flores, Travis Dodd, Eugene Galekovic, Paul Reid, Matthew Leckie.