First step for Reno Piscopo and Wellington Phoenix is a juicy round one A-League Men clash with Macarthur FC, and former captain Ulises Davila.
Beyond that, the season fizzes with possibility for Piscopo and his compatriots, who know a good season might just spear them into Socceroos contention in a World Cup year.
Piscopo, who has youth caps with Italy and Australia, and was an unused player in the Olyroos campaign in Tokyo this year, said the rewards for a good season were rich.
“My role, my focus now is to do as best I can with the club and hopefully get that spot in the Socceroos and get that first cap,” he told AAP.
“It would mean the world to me to represent my country at the highest level.
“Big tournament coming up. That will push us all harder to do our best and show Arnie we can be selected … but you only get there by performing on the weekends.”
Piscopo, 23, will be given every chance to impress after a season of turnover at the Nix.
The departure of Davila after Wellington tabled its richest-ever contract to the Johnny Warren Medal-winning campaign still sticks in the craw of the Kiwi outfit.
In the Mexican’s absence, Piscopo and English gun David Ball will assume the mantle as Wellington’s key creative outlets, behind ex-Celtic man Gary Hooper and up-and-comer Ben Waine.
Piscopo talked down any bad blood with Davila, even as others made jokes about making their presence felt at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Sunday’s game has been moved to Newcastle as part of a double header with the F3 derby after Friday’s pitch inspection deemed the Campbelltown Stadium pitch unfit for play.
“It was great to play with Uli. I learned a lot off him … now Uli is not here, I’m the main playmaker with Bally,” he said.
“We’re worried about ourselves and playing our game. He signed there and we’re not focusing on him and trying to get the three points.”
The teams were just a point apart in last season’s table, with the Bulls squeaking into the finals and Wellington missing out.
Ufuk Talay’s side were 3-0 winners on their last away clash with Macarthur, a dead rubber in the last match of the campaign.
