Recruiting:
Ins: Iain Fyfe (Sydney FC), Adam Hughes (Drogheda United FC), Michael Marrone (Adelaide United, National Youth League), Francesco Monterosso (Adelaide United, National Youth League), Joe Costa (Adelaide United, National Youth League), Lloyd Owusu (Brighton & Hove Albion), Shin (Kunkuk University)
Outs: Ang Costanzo (Newcastle Jets), Jason Spagnuolo (North Queensland Fury), Sasa Ognenovski (Seongnam Ilhwa), Diego (Wellington Phoenix), Jonas Salley (Shaanxi Chanba), Michael Valkanis (retired), Paul Agostino (retired), Daniel Beltrame (retired), Robert Younis (APIA Leichhardt), Isyan Erdogan (Hume City, VPL).
Re-signed: Daniel Mullen (2-years)
Analysis:
Adelaide United's squad has changed dramatically with three club favourites retiring and a handful of disgruntled players heading elsewhere for other opportunities. The Reds' biggest loss is defender Sasa Ognenovski who's moved to Korea to set himself up financially. However the team has done its best to fill the gaps, and void in experience, with former Sydney FC player Iain Fyfe to play in defence, Adam Hughes and Shin to play in the midfield while Lloyd Owusu will add some firepower in attack. Owusu is the club's biggest signing with coach Aurelio Vidmar impressed with his aerial strength, ability to hold the ball up and score goals.
But the Red Army may not see him at his best until mid-season with the English-born, former Ghana international regaining fitness after a disrupted preseason. Shin is the big risk, having never played professional football, but if the Reds hadn't picked him up he would've had a run in the K-League this year.
Michael Marrone, Francesco Monterosso and Joe Costa will probably have limited game time this season but are solid recruits for Adelaide. These National Youth League stars are passionate about the Reds and could become long-term prospects for the team.
Adelaide is unlikely to field a marquee player this season as it has reached its limit of overseas players and hasn't found any suitable Australians to fit the bill.
Pre-Season:
Adelaide has been a pre-season specialist in previous years but has had a modest build-up to Round 1.
United were beaten by North Queensland Fury 3-2 in Darwin on July 2. The Reds were 2-0 down, hit back with goals to Joe Costa and Alemao before the Fury scored the match-winner in the 60th minute. The team also started poorly in its final friendly against Melbourne Victory in Launceston on July 26. But trailing 2-0 at half-time, Adelaide rallied to peg one back through Cassio.
United's only win against an A-League side was a 1-0 result against Perth Glory back in June - Travis Dodd was the goal scorer. Adelaide wasn't at full strength in any of these clashes with several of its players still striving for full fitness.
Improvements:
Adelaide United's Asian Champions League commitments don't kick-in until finals, ensuring it'll have a distraction-free home-and-away season for the first time in years. The Reds' fitness and depth won't be stretched to the limit like it has been in the past and this is sure to help their cause.
For some reason or another several of Adelaide's experienced players were out of favour last season while young squad members were often fast-tracked prematurely. Coach Aurelio Vidmar has cut loose some deadwood and others have left on their own accord which should ensure the entire team is unified and part of Viddie's plans.
Adelaide United should see more goals if Lloyd Owusu can produce his best form later in the season and midfielder Shin lives up to expectations. Both should add some attacking flair to the Reds' line-up.
Concerns:
After two hectic years of full-time football, a four-month preseason should've worked in Adelaide's favour. Instead the Reds enter Round 1 with some key players on the sidelines and others underdone. Owusu's bout of swine flu and pneumonia means he won't play until at least Round 4, the highly-rated Fabian Barbiero is overcoming osteitis pubis while it's touch-and-go whether Paul Reid (quad) and Kristian Sarkies (calf) will be right for the opening clash against Perth Glory.
United will not only enter the season below full strength but will also spend the first couple of rounds integrating its new players who've had limited game time under Vidmar. It'd be a shame to see the Reds waste a dream opening to the 2009-10 season - five home games in the first seven rounds - by trying to find its feet and settle a side.
Adelaide's defence will also come under microscope. The Reds will miss Ognenovski's physical presence at set plays and are still shopping for another defender to bolster the stocks.
Key player:
Adelaide United is hopeful Shin and Owusu will become its star players but captain Travis Dodd will be vital in continuing the Reds' success. Dodd's pace and scoring potential are crucial while his durability is almost as valuable an asset in an extended 27-round season.
Up or down?
Down but not out.
Adelaide United has overhauled its side every season but still remains one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. Last year's efforts were amazing with the side reaching the Asian Champions League final and the domestic Grand Final but once again they finished the season without any major titles.
United has high expectations, a core of players who have a winning mentality, and will see anything less than a finals campaign as a failure. The Reds' destiny could be determined by how well their new players gel with their team-mates and whether the side can get up and going in the first half of the year. Normally a strong performer in the preseason, the side has won just one game against an A-League opponent, which suggests they may not be an early frontrunner.
Adelaide will get stronger as the year progresses but its campaign won't quite reach the heights of 2008-09. Most would expect this determined side will be fighting hard at the business end of the season.
Coach's Quote - Aurelio Vidmar
"We are in pretty good shape physically, we've still got a couple of boys to come back from injury, and once we've got those boys back on track we'll be extremely competitive."
"We've made a pretty conservative effort to try and make our game a bit more dynamic and that's the area we've been trying to go into in the last couple of years and I certainly feel we are getting much closer."
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Check out all our 2009-10 A-League Team Previews:
Adelaide United | Brisbane Roar | Central Coast Mariners | Gold Coast United | Melbourne Victory | Newcastle Jets | North Queensland Fury | Perth Glory | Sydney FC | Wellington Phoenix