There has been no shortage of flair at Adelaide United.
Sergio Cirio, Marcelo Carrusca and Isaias all mesmerised fans with spellbinding passages, while excitement machines like Marcos Flores and Travis Dodd had fans rising with anticipation before the ball had even left their feet.
A combination of creative geniuses and workhorses have made Adelaide United a captivating side throughout the A-League’s history – with many of these players thriving in the club’s successful era during the 2010s.
Cutting down the club’s long list of greats to five-a-side squad is a challenging task – as it would be for several A-League sides – so sit back and enjoy as we put forward our all-time Adelaide United five-a-side team.
GK – Eugene Galekovic
Ironically, this first selection will probably be the easiest to make during this tough assignment.
Eugene Galekovic is a four-time A-League Goalkeeper of the year and quite possibly the competition’s greatest-ever custodian – making his inclusion a no brainer.
The Socceroo delivered when it counted. Not only has he kepy the most clean sheets in A-League history (107) but guided the Reds to a Premiership/Championship double and FFA Cup win.
A tremendous double save against the Wellington Phoenix sticks firmly in the mind as one of his best bits of goalkeeping.
After denying Tyler Boyd from the spot with an outreached arm, Galekovic threw himself at the rebounded attempt which thundered off his chest and out for a corner to a raucous ovation from the home fans.
DEF – Cassio
Talk about a lethal left peg.
The Brazilian barely needed much to produce the spectacular, making it easy to see why he was adored by the fans.
His 11 goals for the club were anything but normal, with his volley against the Newcastle Jets in season 2009/10 the pick of the bunch.
Despite not leaving the club on the best of terms with then coach Josep Gombau, the Brazilian left-back is one of the club’s longest serving players and would have made a cracking five-a-side player – earning him a spot on the team.
MID – Isaias
There have not been many able to control a game like Isaias.
The Spanish midfielder was a workhorse and a key cog to Adelaide’s success midway through the previous decade.
Given most five-a-side teams only play with one ‘defender’, Isaias would make a handy inclusion and would fit right in with his ability to control the tempo of any game.
Able to apply his services in both attack and defence, the former Reds captain oozed class and won the club’s player of the year award four times.
His goal in the 2016 Grand Final brought the house down at the Adelaide Oval as he went on to lift the club’s first A-League championship.
MID – Marcos Flores
His time at the club may have been short, but boy was it magical.
Highlight packages worth several hours long could be dedicated to Marcos Flores’ 31 appearances for the Reds.
To this day the Argentine is the only Adelaide player to have won the Johnny Warren Medal, in a season where four of his nine goals were shortlisted for goal of the season.
His incredible solo goal against the Newcastle Jets – his second for the club – ultimately took home the prize and the breath away from fans right around the country.
A move to China saw Flores depart the club in 2011 – despite Adelaide’s significant offer to keep him – but is nonetheless remembered fondly by the Reds for one of the greatest individual seasons seen in the A-League.
FWD – Travis Dodd
Travis Dodd edges out Bruce Djite and 2010/11 Golden Boot winner Sergio van Djik to claim the final spot in this team.
Dodd was a player who represented the fans – his tenacity and will to take the game on cuts him above the rest.
A local South Australian, he played with his heart on his sleeve and was never far away from the action – whether he was scoring goals or dragging his side over the line.
To this day his eight Asian Champions League goals are the most scored by any A-League player and remains the only Australian to have scored a hattrick in the competition.
Despite not picking up the silverware his commitment to the club deserved, Dodd is recognised as a club legend with 41 goals in 183 appearances in all competition.
