Western United’s 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League Men regular season has concluded, with all focus now on a first ever home final with fans in the arena.
It was a record-breaking home and away campaign with John Aloisi guiding Western United to new heights, along with a number of key contributions from United’s star players.
Most points, wins and highest ever league finish
Western United set a new points record for a single season when it defeated Perth Glory in Tasmania in March. United achieved 39 points in its first ever season and went on to end the 2021/22 campaign with 45 points on the board.
Just days after that win over Perth, United broke another record with a second win in Tasmania. The 2-0 triumph over Macarthur FC was United’s 13th victory of the season and surpassed the 12 wins the Green and Black managed in 2019/20.
United hit a good run of form early in the season and again through the middle part of the campaign, with two wins each against Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers as well as victories over Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets contributing to the record.
All of that naturally meant that United ended up with its best ever placing on the A-League Men ladder, with a third-placed finish earning the Club a first ever home final in front of fans.
Record winning streak
Western United went on two separate three-match winning streaks in the 2019/20 season but failed to get over the line in the fourth game on both occasions.
After wins against Perth Glory, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar from Round 2-4, United took on Adelaide United at AAMI Park in Round 5 with the chance to set a new club record.
Connor Pain’s first-half strike coupled with some outstanding defending in the second period earned Aloisi’s men the three points and the new record, but that wasn’t the only time it was achieved.
In the middle of the side’s best run of form in the season, the Green and Black went on another four-game winning run through February and early March.
Ben Garuccio’s spectacular scorpion kick inspired a thrilling 3-2 win over Western Sydney Wanderers before subsequent victories against Sydney FC and Perth Glory.
Those games led the Green and Black into a meeting with Newcastle Jets at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, where Leo Lacroix’s first two Western United goals secured a 2-1 win and a second four-match winning streak of the season.
Longest ever unbeaten run
Not only did United break the record for most wins in a row, but the Green and Black also shattered the Club record for consecutive games without defeat.
A four-match unbeaten run was the previous record but starting with a win over Melbourne City on January 29, United didn’t lose for nine games.
There were six wins in that run – including the whole second run of four straight wins – which ultimately put United right in the conversation at the top of the league.
Western United’s A-League Men Finals campaign will begin this weekend. Stay tuned for information on how and when to purchase tickets, and get ready to support the Green and Black in its bid to create more history.