Adelaide United head coach Carl Veart labelled veteran midfielder Isaías the best player in the club’s history, after the Spaniard became the most-capped foreigner in Isuzu UTE A-League history.
The 37-year-old made his 237th Isuzu UTE A-League appearance in Adelaide’s victory over Brisbane Roar in Unite Round; in doing so, Isaías eclipsed Besart Berisha’s record of 236 league appearances – the previous most of any player not born in Australia or New Zealand to play in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND 6 OF THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE SEASON!
Incredibly, all 237 of Isaías’ Isuzu UTE A-League games have come at Adelaide United across two stints at the club.
The veteran midfielder, who became an Australian citizen in 2019, has won the Aurelio Vidmar Medal at the club a record four times, including three in a row between 2017 and 2019, and was a key contributor to the club’s Premiership/Championship double in 2015-16.
Having just broken one Isuzu UTE A-League record, Isaías has the chance to equal another when he and the Reds face Perth Glory at Coopers Stadium on Friday night, in Round 6 of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
A 238th appearance for Adelaide would equal the club’s all-time Isuzu UTE A-League games record, currently held by Eugene Galekovic.
GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 6 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
‘EXCITING FOR AUSSIE FOOTBALL’: ‘Grander plans’ for academy that’s produced 52 A-Leagues players
In the build-up to Friday night’s clash with Glory, Adelaide head coach Carl Veart was asked about the impact Isaías has made at the club since he first arrived in 2013.
“‘Isa’ has been fantastic,” Veart said.
“I’ve said it before: I think he’s the best player that’s represented the club over its long journey.
“And (it’s) no different this year: he’s started exceptionally well in the middle of the defence for us, and Bart (Vriends) has then come back (in) and ‘Isa’ has moved to the bench.
“But when he’s come on he’s been excellent in that midfield role, which is where we’re used to seeing him playing. I expect no different from ‘Isa’, he’s a very competitive beast, he pushes everyone on the training pitch.
“I’m glad for him, and while I’m here he’s always going to be available for us to play.”
HOW DO HIS NUMBERS STACK UP? This 22-year-old is ‘pushing’ for a Socceroos call-up
DATA DIVE: The numbers behind Auckland FC’s historic start and the standout players making them tick
When Adelaide welcome Glory to Coopers Stadium on Friday night, attention will be focused on the starting XI Veart utilises as his side pursues top spot on the Isuzu UTE A-League table – particularly on an intriguing selection battle unfolding at the point of his attack.
Luka Jovanović has started all four of Adelaide’s games to date this season but fellow young gun Archie Goodwin is pushing hard to make his first appearance in the starting line-up after an off-season move from Newcastle Jets.
The 20-year-old scored his first goal for the club in Unite Round; a promising young player with a history of serious injury, Goodwin has been carefully eased into action at the Reds but Veart says he’s now ready to play from the start.
“It’s taken a long time for us to get him to a point where he’s robust enough to get himself through 70-80 minutes, and I think he showed that last week,” Veart said.
“He played 45 minutes at a very good level. His intensity, his movement was excellent, he got his goal which was great to see and had a couple of good half-chances to get a second one as well.
“We’re very happy with his progress and after playing 45 last week, he’s now available to start playing from the first whistle.”
ARCHIE GOODWIN FEATURE: ‘Unreal’ pitch that led A-Leagues wonderkid to ‘the best decision I’ve ever made’
