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Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

7838 replies · 1,303,358 views
21 days ago
Wonder if Bill Foley knew much about the A League's salary cap system, when he agreed to setup Auckland FC?

Though to be fair his other startup sports franchise the Vegas Golden Knights, operate in the NHL which has a salary cap ($USD104M!). 

Yet VGK have made the playoffs in 8 of their 9 seasons, and made the Stanley Cup final for the 3rd time this season (lost to Carolina Hurricanes). 
They are the most successful start up team in NHL history apparently. 

In contrast a Canadian team hasn't won the Stanley since 1993. 33 years and counting, when it's 'their sport'. That must sting!
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21 days ago
Think he was pretty clued up as one of his criteria for the first coach handed down is that they had to have experience of  a cap.

Auckland will rise once more

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21 days ago
Not sure if the prior increased salary cap is the only reason a lot Aucklands replacements are a lot weaker than last years squad or they've decided to go even cheaper than the cap? But unless their last import player is an upgrade on May, I don't think anyone they've signed is an upgrade or equal other than maybe Prins to Gillion.
Randall > Bayliss
Hall > Calver
Verstraete > Normann
Unsigned visa ? = May
Prins =/> Gillion
JGR > Wynne

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Endorsed by
ni
21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
Definitely downgrades as Hall and Verstrate were elite by A league standards.

But in terms of salary you would expect Bayliss to be on considerably more coin than Randall was last year.

Different type of player and time will tell, but think his career could go higher.

Auckland will rise once more

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Endorsed by
MartoNelfoosni
21 days ago
20 Legend wrote:
The negativity in here is wild.

Terrible weather restricted what players could do on the pitch. Auckland FC played fine. This is what the lower salary cap a-league looks like. And oh by the way this is their first preseason run out. Spurs did exactly what we expected, played some kids and played some bigger hitters at the end.

I enjoyed watching the heavy hitters showing off their clearly significant ability, even the smaller stuff like Tel's tighter and full speed dribbling. Or Gallagher actually being able to pick out a proper cross (i.e., not just floating it in and hoping).  I loved Gallegos absolutely clatter Richiarlison.

Some of you negative nancies need a slap honestly.
You seem to have forgotton this is a forum for Wellington Phoenix fans. Nothing wrong at all with people being as negstive as they want about out Northern rivals.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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Endorsed by
dunnixTurfmooreWanderingSheep
21 days ago
wilbaker wrote:
Randall > Bayliss

Not sure about this. I think Bayliss actually had the better season overall last year.

Randall earned his move and fair play to him, but his form dipped after that while Bayliss remained crucial to the Jets winning the plate.

Agree with the rest though.

Three for me, and two for them.

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Endorsed by
coochieeni
21 days ago
ballane wrote:
 20 Legend wrote:
The negativity in here is wild.

Terrible weather restricted what players could do on the pitch. Auckland FC played fine. This is what the lower salary cap a-league looks like. And oh by the way this is their first preseason run out. Spurs did exactly what we expected, played some kids and played some bigger hitters at the end.

I enjoyed watching the heavy hitters showing off their clearly significant ability, even the smaller stuff like Tel's tighter and full speed dribbling. Or Gallagher actually being able to pick out a proper cross (i.e., not just floating it in and hoping).  I loved Gallegos absolutely clatter Richiarlison.

Some of you negative nancies need a slap honestly.
You seem to have forgotton this is a forum for Wellington Phoenix fans. Nothing wrong at all with people being as negstive as they want about out Northern rivals.
I went to the Bocca game. That weather killed our touring group, but at least it had Paul Ifill. 

We gotta begin to question how much about Auckland was Corica and Verstraete. And May that first season.

Lots of other clubs tried imitating that style or aspects- Brisbane, CC and Victory for starters. But they lacked something. 

Guess we’ll see this season. But previous tours have been tournaments or exhibitions. They’ve been fun. That was dull and Auckland didn’t offer much to make a game of it. 


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21 days ago
20 Legend wrote:
The negativity in here is wild.

Terrible weather restricted what players could do on the pitch. Auckland FC played fine. This is what the lower salary cap a-league looks like. And oh by the way this is their first preseason run out. Spurs did exactly what we expected, played some kids and played some bigger hitters at the end.

I enjoyed watching the heavy hitters showing off their clearly significant ability, even the smaller stuff like Tel's tighter and full speed dribbling. Or Gallagher actually being able to pick out a proper cross (i.e., not just floating it in and hoping).  I loved Gallegos absolutely clatter Richiarlison.

Some of you negative nancies need a slap honestly.
Agreed, we just posted two decades, one club... what a shot at the knights, if the knights didn't exist, we wouldn't exist.

People gotta remember that AFC is two years, two trophies. That Spurs game was as exhibition as it comes. Wrexham came last year and where was all the negativity about us playing our u18s vs a team that did not care about the game at all (three months before our season started too). 

Yeah we won 1-0 but I bet you nobody gave a shit when we were 2-0 down against Perth in our first game.

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Endorsed by
Marto
21 days ago
observerfromuh wrote:
 20 Legend wrote:
The negativity in here is wild.

Terrible weather restricted what players could do on the pitch. Auckland FC played fine. This is what the lower salary cap a-league looks like. And oh by the way this is their first preseason run out. Spurs did exactly what we expected, played some kids and played some bigger hitters at the end.

I enjoyed watching the heavy hitters showing off their clearly significant ability, even the smaller stuff like Tel's tighter and full speed dribbling. Or Gallagher actually being able to pick out a proper cross (i.e., not just floating it in and hoping).  I loved Gallegos absolutely clatter Richiarlison.

Some of you negative nancies need a slap honestly.
Agreed, we just posted two decades, one club... what a shot at the knights, if the knights didn't exist, we wouldn't exist.

People gotta remember that AFC is two years, two trophies. That Spurs game was as exhibition as it comes. Wrexham came last year and where was all the negativity about us playing our u18s vs a team that did not care about the game at all (three months before our season started too). 

Yeah we won 1-0 but I bet you nobody gave a shit when we were 2-0 down against Perth in our first game.


there was plenty of negativity about who played in that game, but mainly it was about the coach at the time.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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Endorsed by
ob
21 days ago
‘As exhibition as it comes…’

It was hardly festival football.

I mean I understand it’s Spurs. And they are post-Kane and Song. They lack genuine star power. They are early into the De Zerbi era. He’s not going to allow a bit to a local side at this point.

After a very long trip, we can’t take a risk with the players who are not ready to play yet.
-cheers Roberto. Biggest club crowd in NZ here btw.
If you guys enjoyed it, great. I thought Woud was the best on display, frankly!

Cosgrove messed one up. Tel had something of a run.

But I think for me- I wanted to see Auckland FC, this champion unit led by Hiroki Sakai take it to this underwhelming Spurs team and force a reaction. That never really happened.

Spurs kept you pinned without much trouble.

So part trolling, part genuine disappointment at a hyped training run for both teams. 


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21 days ago
but AFC were in pre-season mode, and they lost a lot of players so they cant be expected to be the championship winning side they were last year - lol

Queenslander 3x a year.

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Endorsed by
Mainland FCWanderingSheep
20 days ago
theprof wrote:
 observerfromuh wrote:
 20 Legend wrote:
The negativity in here is wild.

Terrible weather restricted what players could do on the pitch. Auckland FC played fine. This is what the lower salary cap a-league looks like. And oh by the way this is their first preseason run out. Spurs did exactly what we expected, played some kids and played some bigger hitters at the end.

I enjoyed watching the heavy hitters showing off their clearly significant ability, even the smaller stuff like Tel's tighter and full speed dribbling. Or Gallagher actually being able to pick out a proper cross (i.e., not just floating it in and hoping).  I loved Gallegos absolutely clatter Richiarlison.

Some of you negative nancies need a slap honestly.
Agreed, we just posted two decades, one club... what a shot at the knights, if the knights didn't exist, we wouldn't exist.

People gotta remember that AFC is two years, two trophies. That Spurs game was as exhibition as it comes. Wrexham came last year and where was all the negativity about us playing our u18s vs a team that did not care about the game at all (three months before our season started too). 

Yeah we won 1-0 but I bet you nobody gave a shit when we were 2-0 down against Perth in our first game.


 
there was plenty of negativity about who played in that game, but mainly it was about the coach at the time.
thanks prof, my point was mainly about the point it both games were viewed as 'negative' but at the end of the day they were as exhibition as ever
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20 days ago
Strange to name 3 young random Americans. Maybe they are effectively trialling to be in AFC ALW's first squad for the 2027/28 season?

Ruby Nathan in there as well.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/07/29/auckland-fc-name-four-more-players-in-their-invitational-squad-to-face-chelsea/

Auckland FC’s invitational squad to face eight-time English women’s champions Chelsea has grown to 12 players, with the inclusion of three Americans and another Football Fern.

Midfielder Claire Winter, goalkeeper Lindsey Harris and forward Nya Baccelli join the Auckland FC squad from the United States for the one-off match at Eden Park on Saturday August 8, 2026.

Five-cap New Zealand international forward Ruby Nathan becomes the ninth Football Fern to be named in the squad by head coach Jenny Bindon, who is a former Ferns goalkeeper.

Nathan, currently with Sydney Olympic, has previously played women’s A-League for Canberra United, and at the top domestic level in New Zealand with Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United.

Former United States age group international Claire Winter has played college football for University of California and enjoyed a professional career with clubs in America, Spain, Puerto Rico, Ireland and Denmark before joining her current club, Lexington. Sporting Club, Kentucky.

Goalkeeper Lindsey Harris has played professionally in the United States, Iceland, Norway, Portugal and Saudi Arabia. Playing for Al Qadsiah from 2023-25, she was named Saudi Women’s Premier League ‘Keeper of the Year in 2024, and won the SAFF Women’s Cup Best Goalkeeper award in both 2024 and 2025.

Forward Nya Bacelli played for Greek first division club Asteras Tripolis in 2025-26, helping them reach the Greek Cup final and finishing third on the regular season ladder.

Football Ferns confirmed to play for the invitational squad are Maddie Iro, Liz Anton, Mackenzie Barry, Abby Erceg, Olivia Chance, Deven Jackson, Maggie Jenkins, Charlotte Lancaster and Ruby Nathan.

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19 days ago
Somewhat fortunate timing for Corica to head overseas. Bringing thru kids was never a strong point at Sydney. 

Hopefully the geezer they are bringing in has a strong history of youth development, as they have brought in a lot this season.
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Endorsed by
Bullion
19 days ago
I’m not sure how true it was but I seem to recall some rumour that the person really coaching the team was Hay.

So maybe if this new guy and new assistant are the real deal, it will indeed help those young guys break through.

Auckland will rise once more

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19 days ago
Seem to have lost a post: 

But basically the negativity is because I think the crowd got cheated. And I don’t think too many others were that negative here so fine. If you’re happy, you’re happy.

Look at the WSW game: Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, hat tricks, the home team attacking and scoring, potential early glimpse of a star in the making with that new Kazakh kid…

With Newcastle last season, the promoters need to make sure it’s worth the price of admission, if they’re charging it. PL2 v A league seconds doing a training run is a different proposition. Fine to charge for it if you’re honest about it, but at this time of year it’s not A league champions v a PL team. 

And yeh, Flowerdew and his colleagues made it interesting for sure against Wrexham. Likely related to the changing coaching situation there. 


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Endorsed by
Southernix
19 days ago
RR wrote:
Somewhat fortunate timing for Corica to head overseas. Bringing thru kids was never a strong point at Sydney. 

Hopefully the geezer they are bringing in has a strong history of youth development, as they have brought in a lot this season.
Yes, Pedro Moreira has a strong background in youth coaching with top Portuguese sides 1998 - 2012 before entering senior coaching.
Culminated with youth coaching at major club Sporting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Moreira_(football_manager)

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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19 days ago
 Just noticed there's a lot more football coming up on TVNZ+ after the Sydney Super Cup live and on demand:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/sport/football
Next: Saturday 9.35 pm Spurs v Chelsea (last game of Sydney Super Cup)
Followed the same night by the first match of the Hong Kong Football Festival with Man City, Chelsea, Juve and Inter from 11.20 pm Saturday.
Chelsea game in Malaysia is also scheduled for Sun. 9 August.
As well as the Auckland Invitational match on Sat. 8th, Chelsea Women v A-League All Stars in on TVNZ+ on Wednes. 12 August 

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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Endorsed by
brMainland FC
19 days ago
His experience coaching young players seems like a factor in him getting the job.
Casserly smart choice as the assistant to help get him up to speed on the squad.
Going to be a very different Auckland FC this season. Be interesting to see how they adapt.


Director of football Terry McFlynn said: “Replacing Steve was always going to be a big challenge, but we took our time and now have someone who the club has a lot of confidence in.

“Pedro brought into the vision of our club, particularly our focus on youth and developing player pathways.

“We now have our coaching line-up for the season settled. Everyone at the club is now keen to get started as we continue preparation for season three.”

Luke Casserly will be Moreira’s assistant, while he has brought in Rafael Moreira (no relation) as his head analyst.

Former New Zealand Knight Danny Milosevic has joined as goalkeeping coach, while Nathan Sherlock has joined as head of performance.
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19 days ago
coochiee wrote:
His experience coaching young players seems like a factor in him getting the job.
Casserly smart choice as the assistant to help get him up to speed on the squad.
Going to be a very different Auckland FC this season. Be interesting to see how they adapt.


Director of football Terry McFlynn said: “Replacing Steve was always going to be a big challenge, but we took our time and now have someone who the club has a lot of confidence in.

 
“Pedro brought into the vision of our club, particularly our focus on youth and developing player pathways.

“We now have our coaching line-up for the season settled. Everyone at the club is now keen to get started as we continue preparation for season three.”


Luke Casserly will be Moreira’s assistant, while he has brought in Rafael Moreira (no relation) as his head analyst.


Former New Zealand Knight Danny Milosevic has joined as goalkeeping coach, while Nathan Sherlock has joined as head of performance.
So with Luke Casserly moving to an A-League team assistant, they'll be needing a new coach for the Pro League team
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19 days ago
Might be Rory Fallon who coaches the Auckland FC reserves in the Northern League. 
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18 days ago
What is the news about the manager from his previous positions? 

Corica played a version of Graeme Arnold ball with Sydney? 

Anyone have a read on the expected style of play? 

Verstraete is quite close to being the A League Kante tbh. Very tough to replace.


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18 days ago
According to AI

 
Pedro Moreira favors a 4-2-3-1 formation and a proactive, possession-based coaching style rooted in his decade-long apprenticeship under manager Paulo Fonseca. [1, 2, 3] 
 
Coaching Style & Tactical Approach 
  • Possession and Proactivity: Shaped by his time alongside Fonseca at clubs like FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, and AS Roma, his teams prioritize structured build-up, technical control, and tactical flexibility.[1]



Auckland will rise once more

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18 days ago
Seems Marley Leuluai is going to be signed, plus perhaps Oli Sail

And a 2nd instalment of Forever Auckland FC coming for those you stomached instalment 1.

Be interesting to know if Moreira was involved much in any of the recent signings? He's basically arrived to an already completed squad. I guess that will be his go to excuse if he's unsuccessful, not the players he wanted.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/361013261/auckland-fc-lock-portuguese-coach-pedro-moreira-league-men-title-defence

Moreira has watched Forever Auckland FC, the documentary that produced about Auckland’s first season – which will soon have a second instalment, covering their second season – and was involved in scripting the social media video announcing his arrival.

“Auckland is an amazing city,” he said in a voiceover. “The past deserves respect. The club deserves respect. All of us are looking for something that we did in the past and we try to put it in the future. The present demands hard work, commitment and a lot of effort. That’s what we want to put on the pitch. The future will be built by us. Let's go Auckland.”

Luke Casserly was Corica’s second assistant last season and will step up to be Moreira’s right-hand man, having guided Auckland to a win in the inaugural season of the Oceania Pro League – a triumph that booked them a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup later this year. A replacement at the helm of the OPL team will need to be found.

Former New Zealand Knight Danny Milosevic has been brought in to replace Jonathan Gould as Auckland’s goalkeeping coach, with Nathan Sherlock appointed as head of performance and Rafael Moreira (no relation) also coming from Portugal to be head analyst.

Auckland already have 23 players contracted for the coming season. Age-group international centre back Marley Leuluai is expected to become the 24th in the near future, leaving a visa forward – ideally someone who could play both on the flank and up front – to be added, and perhaps also a goalkeeper. 
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18 days ago
A lot rests on that final import player being a gun and considerably better than Randall output wise  to make up for a more leaky defence.

Auckland will rise once more

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Endorsed by
PK
6 days ago · edited 6 days ago · History
Meanwhile, in Auckland…


Despite not being a fan of their football club, I don’t know enough about Mowbray and Williams to know if this is potential good news or a disaster.

But walking past the Walter Nash Centre in Taitā on Saturday morning as I head to Fraser Park, I find it insane that a sport that gets so many kids out on the court and is celebrating recent historic success at international level should find its pro league on life support.
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Endorsed by
ballane
6 days ago
it's gotta be good for netball, with no sponsor for the next year the league itself could collapse.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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6 days ago
But we really cant be judgemental not as if either ALM or ALW are shining examples. Get what your saying but lots needs to be done to get both our Leagues viable.
Amazes me how popular the Matildas are but that dosnt transfer to their ALW crowds. If Nix fans hadnt been at the GF the attendance would have been rubbish as well as the atmosphere.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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Endorsed by
LGSimon B
5 days ago
Simon B wrote:
Meanwhile, in Auckland…

Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray in talks with Netball NZ over new franchise league

Despite not being a fan of their football club, I don’t know enough about Mowbray and Williams to know if this is potential good news or a disaster.

But walking past the Walter Nash Centre in Taitā on Saturday morning as I head to Fraser Park, I find it insane that a sport that gets so many kids out on the court and is celebrating recent historic success at international level should find its pro league on life support.
Fancing themselves as New Zealands answer to Foley and his sports businesses.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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Endorsed by
LG
4 days ago · edited 4 days ago · History
Line up for their match tonight. Guess they haven't made up their mind on Leuluai just yet.
image.png 561.68 KB
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4 days ago
ballane wrote:
 Simon B wrote:
Meanwhile, in Auckland…

Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray in talks with Netball NZ over new franchise league

Despite not being a fan of their football club, I don’t know enough about Mowbray and Williams to know if this is potential good news or a disaster.

But walking past the Walter Nash Centre in Taitā on Saturday morning as I head to Fraser Park, I find it insane that a sport that gets so many kids out on the court and is celebrating recent historic success at international level should find its pro league on life support.
Fancing themselves as New Zealands answer to Foley and his sports businesses.
Thats a cheap shot. Good on them if they can bring their expertise to releive netballs predicament
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Endorsed by
theprofWanderingSheep
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