2022 in review at Western United

Western United A-League Men Champions 2022

Western United players, staff and fans will forever remember the year 2022.

The Green and Black created history on and off the pitch in this calendar year with a series of remarkable performances and major achievements in just the Club’s third full year in existence.

The biggest and most remarkable achievement is of course the 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season, culminating in the Club’s first Championship crown.

With John Aloisi at the helm, United broke Club records for most points in a season (45), most wins in a season (13), most clean sheets (10) and the highest ever finish on the table in third place.

READ MORE: Every Western United record broken in the 2021/22 season

The Green and Black went on to defeat Wellington Phoenix in the Elimination Final and pulled off a remarkable Semi-Final comeback against Melbourne Victory to reach a first ever Grand Final.

And Saturday May 28 2022 will forever live in Western United folklore as the day when the first piece of silverware came home to the West.

Just as it had done all season, John Aloisi’s record broke more records with the quickest goal in Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final history, setting up a 2-0 win and bringing the trophy to the West for the first time.

The achievements kept coming in the back half of the year, Western United’s Liberty A-League Women licence being confirmed in May ahead of the Club’s debut in the competition.

That moment came on November 19, where Jessica McDonald created history as the first ever Western United goal scorer in the Liberty A-League, helping United to a 1-0 win in front of a packed-out crowd in the West at City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field.

Mark Torcaso’s side has continued to go from strength to strength since then, winning each of the subsequent three fixtures to remain with a perfect record through the opening two months of the inaugural campaign.

Western United continues to focus heavily on its youth development and proved as such with a strong season in NPL 3 Victoria in Western United.

In his first year at the Club, Academy Director Anthony Frost orchestrated a promotion campaign as United defeated Goulburn Valley Suns 6-1 in a play-off in August to secure a place in NPL 2 Victoria for next season.

Following that success, the Western United Academy has continued to push ahead with the addition of four new junior teams ahead of the 2023 season.

United’s partner club, Calder United, also continued its domination of NPLW Victoria by winning the Championship, Premiership and NIKE F.C. Cup treble, which saw Torcaso and a number of the team’s stars graduate to Western United’s Liberty A-League set up.

Off the pitch, Western United’s development and growth as a Club has taken significant steps forward over the past 12 months.

After setting a new membership record, United is on the brink of breaking its highest ever paid-membership total for the second season running.

The scenes of Green and Black fans throughout the Finals Series will live long in the memory and the fanbase is continuing to grow ahead of the Club’s permanent move to Tarneit.

That is set to come together in mid next year as the Regional Training Facility in Tarneit gathers pace in its construction.

This year has seen the project develop from the initial haul road to the four walls of the main pavilion and office building being in place and the three football pitches being marked out.

Work will continue to go on in 2023, and the Club is eager to move into the exciting next chapter of its journey in the West.

Everyone at Western United would like to thank members, fans, partners and the wider football community that has made this year possible for the Green and Black.

All of that success will set Western United up for an even bigger, better and more exciting. We can’t wait to see everyone again throughout 2023.