To celebrate 20 years of Adelaide United, we’re inviting fans to vote on our Team of 20 Years.
From Club legends to cult heroes, the competition will be fierce, and we want to know who you think deserves the call up!
Each day we will ask fans to vote on who they believe should be in a selected position, to complete the fan-voted Adelaide United Team of 20 Years. The voting will include both men’s and women’s players.
The final team will be announced at Adelaide United’s 20th Anniversary dinner at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday 23 January.
Today get voting on the left centre back. Will it be Maruschka Waldus, Iain Fyfe, Michael Valkanis or Sasa Ognenovski? You get to decide!
Enter your vote and your contact details to be in the running to win a double pass to the 20th Anniversary Dinner.
Hosted by Jarrod Walsh, the night will celebrate all the moments and people who have helped shape the club.
Guests will enjoy a three-course meal and premium beverage package, as well as live entertainment and an auction featuring exclusive memorabilia and unique experiences.
Tickets for the 20th Anniversary Dinner are still available with all proceeds from the night going towards the Adelaide United Foundation, which supports youth development, education and community initiatives.
How to vote: The team will be selected in a 4-4-2 formation and include a head coach. A substitutes bench will also be decided from among those that miss out on the starting XI. Click the link below to enter your vote. Voting for all positions will close at midnight on Friday 29 December with the final team to be announced on Tuesday 23 January at Adelaide United’s 20th Anniversary Dinner.
Left Centre Backs for 20-Year Team
Michael Valkanis
A former captain and assistant coach of Adelaide United, Valkanis was an inaugural Adelaide United A-League squad member and a key part of the Club for the first 13 years of its history.
As a player, Valkanis was voted Best Team Man for the 2003/04 season and Player’s Player for the 2005/06 season while also part of the Club’s 2005/06 A-League Premiership winning squad.
He was a 2006 and 2007 Pre-Season Cup Champion, 2007 and 2009 Grand Finalist, and 2008 AFC Champions League Finalist, which ensured the Club’s participation in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, helping the Reds finish fifth in the competition.
A fierce competitor, Valkanis helped establish the fabric of the Reds and led the path for future success.
Sasa Ognenovski
An intimidating yet well-respected centre-back, Ognenovski was the heart of the Reds’ backline particularly during the 2008/09 campaign in which he also found a rare vein of goal-scoring form.
The then 28-year-old signed for Adelaide ahead of the 2008 Asian Champions League, following two seasons at the Roar.
His leadership and inspirational attributes were infectious as the team put together a remarkable and unprecedented ACL Cup run in which they reached the final.
He also played an integral role in the A-League before falling short in the 2009 Grand Final, but he did earn a move to Asia and a total of 22 caps with the Socceroos.
Michael Jakobsen
Veteran defender, Jakobsen, joined Adelaide to shore up the side ahead of the 2018/19 season and went on to accumulate 95 appearances over four years across all competitions.
A model of consistency in defence, the Danish centre-back also served as Captain in his second season and won two Australia Cups in 2018 and 2019.
Jakobsen’s leadership qualities were apparent from the get-go, and many developing Reds learned to ply their trade alongside the measured Dane.
With incredible passing accuracy and all-round defensive capabilities, Jakobsen earns his nomination for the team of the 20 years.
Iain Fyfe
A dependable local stopper, Fyfe first joined Adelaide United ahead of the 2009-10 season and was central to its defensive rebuild at the time.
He helped United to top of its Asian Champions League group in that season and returned in a second stint in 2012 to assist the Reds in the competition once more.
Fyfe made a total of 86 appearances for Adelaide United in all competitions – 75 of those appearances and all five of his goals coming in the A-League.
Somewhat of an AFC Champions League specialist, Fyfe’s storied career will always have a special chapter at Adelaide United.
Maruschka Waldus
Maruschka Waldus is a highly-competitive central defender pivotal to the club’s Liberty A-League Women’s side.
Waldus has made a total of 34 appearances with three goals in her two seasons at Adelaide to date.
The Dutch defender impressed immediately in her first stint with Adelaide in 2020/21, scoring two goals in 11 appearances on her way to claiming the Dianne Alagich Medal for an exceptional season.
She was the only outfield player to play every minute of their last A-League campaign, with her wealth of experience supporting Adelaide at the back.
Jenna McCormick
South Australian, Jenna McCormick was a prodigious talent from the get-go.
McCormick began her career with United in December 2012, winning the Club’s Dianne Alagich Medal in just her second season.
The experienced centre-back returned to the Club in 2022/23 where she brought up her 50th appearance in Red.
Able to play across midfield or anywhere at the back, McCormick has always been a threat from set-pieces and gives her all on the pitch.
