R3 Preview - MetroStars vs. Adelaide City

We preview Round 3 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as North Eastern MetroStars host Metro United and Adelaide City on Friday evening.

MetroStars head into this match after an impressive 8-0 win over Cumberland United last Saturday. Luis Benedetti made his full debut for the club and gave MetroStars the lead on 19 minutes with a spectacular curling effort from outside the box. Joshua Mori then doubled the lead with a long range strike. Christian Esposito bagged a second hat-trick, while goals from Dylan Smith and Fabian Barbiero completed the rout to give MetroStars their biggest league win since 2011.

Meanwhile Adelaide City are coming off a 1-1 away to Adelaide Blue Eagles on Monday night. An early Yohei Matsumoto penalty gave the hosts the lead before captain Christopher Annicchiarico was sent off. Adriano Pellegrino's deflected shot brought the visitors level on the stroke of half-time. A fiery second half saw Zakariah Waters and Aladin Irabona both dismissed for the Black and White's to ensure they will miss Friday night's game.

Rob Saraceno will take charge of his 108th as MetroStars coach, taking him to outright second in club history.

MetroStars Squad: 1. Isaac Carmody, 3. Cohan Morris, 5: Tim Henderson, 7. Michael D'Aloisio (c), 8. Rocky Callisto, 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Luis Benedetti, 12. Benjamin Head, 14. Dylan Smith, 16. Kyle Crout, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O’Donnell, 20. Joshua Mori, 22. Hamish Gow, 23. Christian Esposito, 25. Jackson O’Donnell (GK), 26. Stefan Cali, 40. Jayden Spruyt (GK)

Injured: 4. Justin Davis, 9. Tom Strain

Suspended: 24. Nahuel Bonada

Adelaide City Squad: 1. Alex Woodlands (GK), 4. Jordan Maricic, 5. Zakariah Waters, 7. Perry Mitris, 8. Bradley Corbo, 10. Evan Kostopoulos, 11. Nicholas Bucco, 14. Aladdin Irabona, 16. Thomas Love, 18, Anthony Ture, 21. Adriano Pellegrino, 17. Stefan Casalbore, 24. Awal Dut, 48. Marcos Flores (C)

Highlights: Cumberland United 0-8 MetroStars Footage: Football South Australia

Form (last 5 games):

Cumberland 0-8 MetroStars

MetroStars 0-3 Adelaide Olympic

MetroStars 3-2 Fulham United

MetroStars 5-4 Adelaide Comets

White City 1-2 MetroStars

Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-1 Adelaide City

Adelaide City 3-0 South Adelaide

Adelaide City 1-1 Para Hills Knights

Campbelltown City 0-1 Adelaide City

Adelaide City 2-2 Fulham United

Last 5 meetings:

10.8.19 - MetroStars 4-2 Adelaide City

17.5.19 - Adelaide City 1-0 MetroStars

25.8.18 - Adelaide City 2-0 MetroStars

4.8.18 - MetroStars 1-2 Adelaide City

7.4.18 - Adelaide City 0-2 MetroStars

MetroStars will be looking for victory in their last official home game of the season. Photo credit: Adam Butler

Come and join us Saturday afternoon for a massive game of football! The game will be live streamed on the Football South Australia YouTube channel.

Referee Appointments:

Daniel Cook - Referee

Liam Miller - Assistant Referee 1

Paula Orlandi - Assistant Referee 2

MetroStars vs. Adelaide City Friday 6th March 2020 - 8:15PM

T.K. Shutter Reserve