Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has revealed its annual player-voted A-League Team of the Season after Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC were confirmed as 2020 Grand Finalists on Wednesday evening.
Prolific strikers Jamie Maclaren, Adam Le Fondre, Besart Berisha and influential midfielders Ulises Davilla and Alessandro Diamanti headline the 2019/20 team composed of the A-League’s most exciting local and international talent.
Premiers and back-to-back Grand Finalists Sydney FC are represented by five players, with defenders Rhyan Grant and Alex Wilkinson, midfielder Luke Brattan and striker Le Fondre securing positions in the starting XI.
The A-League’s two-time Golden Boot winner, Melbourne City FC’s Maclaren, was named captain, featuring in the team’s front three alongside Le Fondre and the A-League’s all-time top goal-scorer, Western United’s Berisha, who netted 19 goals this campaign.
Maclaren, who guided City to its first-ever Grand Final appearance on Wednesday night, received the most votes from his fellow A-League players.
“I want to say a big thank you to my peers for voting me into the team of the season,” Maclaren said.
“It’s truly humbling and it’s an amazing feeling to be voted by the players you play against and it’s just a truly amazing feeling to be a part of this team.”
Western United’s Italian marquee Diamanti, Wellington Phoenix’s Mexican Ulises Davilla and Brattan were voted into the team’s three-man midfield.
One of the A-League’s most eye-catching players, Diamanti delivered eight goals and eight assists for United, while Davilla’s performances elevated Phoenix into record-breaking form and Brattan was instrumental for the Premiers.
Adelaide United’s Danish centre back Michael Jakobsen and Phoenix’s emerging talent Liberato Cacace complete the team’s back four. Ufuk Talay’s first year at the helm of Wellington was honoured, with the players voting the former Australian youth international as the team’s Head Coach.
Goalkeeper Jamie Young earned the players’ admiration after a strong year with the fourth-placed Brisbane Roar, edging out Adelaide United’s Paul Izzo.
Izzo and Adelaide teammate Riley McGree, Phoenix’s captain Steven Taylor, former Western Sydney Wanderers captain Mitchell Duke and Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic were named as substitutes.
The players voted Alex King as the PFA Referee of the Year.
In his capacity as PFA President, Sydney FC defender and captain Alex Wilkinson, praised his peer’s performances during an unprecedented A-League campaign.
“I’m truly humbled to be named in the team this year; being voted by your peers is the ultimate compliment,” Wilkinson said.
“It has been an incredibly unique season for the players, but what has been an absolute highlight has been their commitment to producing high-quality performances.
“The even share of Australian talent and foreign players within the squad demonstrates the contribution and value of local and global talent to the A-League.”
Proudly supported by PFA Major Partner LUCRF Super, the 2019/20 PFA A-League Team of the Season is voted on by the players of the A-League clubs at the conclusion of the regular season.
