Adelaide United, a professional football club formed in 2003

Adelaide United, a professional football club, is based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. The club was formed within a few weeks in 2003. The remnants of Adelaide City squad were used to form this club to fill in vacated space created by withdrawal of Adelaide City from National Soccer League (NSL). Their first NSL match win came on 17 October 2003 when Adelaide United beat Brisbane Strikers 1-0 with a crowd of above 16,000 people watching the match. Adelaide were impressive in their first home –and-season and went on a seven match unbeaten streak during November and December 2003. They lost to Perth Glory in a preliminary final. At the end of 2003-2004 season, NSL was shut down by Football Federation Australia (FFA) for preparation of launch of Hyundai A League which was launched 12 months later on 26 August 2005.

Adelaide United premiered in inaugural 2005-2006 A League season and was amongst the eight teams announced to compete in the first season. Adelaide United started preparing for the season earlier than the other teams and two third of the squad was announced before February 2005. Adelaide United concentrated to bring back Adelaide born players like Travis Dodd, Lucas Pantelis, Angelo Costanzo. These players has previously played for Adelaide City in the NSL. Adelaide finished 7 points clear of the rest of the competition and finished 3rd in the finals.

After beating Newcastle Jets 4-3 on penalties, Adelaide United moved to 2006-2007 Grand Final. Adelaide United had Melbourne Victory as their opponents in the final played at Telstra Dome on 18 February 2007. Adelaide United had to play most part of the game with 10 men strength as the captain Ross Aloisi was sent of after two bookable offences. Adelaide lost the final 6-0 and after a controversial post match interview, Ross Aloisi was sacked from captaincy and he left the lub to join Wellington Phoenix. The new captain Angelo Costanzo replaced Ross on 22 February 2007. The Brazilian internationl star Romaria also joined the club as a guest player for four games in 2006-2007 season.

The 2007-2008 season went very bad for the club. Their players remained prone to injuries throughout the season and the club failed to make it into top two positions in A-League history.

Adelaide is the only 3rd A-League club to pass the one millionth spectator milestone and they achieved that in the 2008-2009 season. Adelaide, along with Queensland Roar, Central Coast and Melbourne, qualified for the finals and lost to Melbourne Victory in the grand final played at the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne.

The 2009-2010 season went disastrous for the club and for the first time in their history, the club finished at the bottom of the table. International manager Rini Coolen was made the manger of Adelaide United in 2010-2011 season. The club climbed from bottom to the top of the table and made Australian football history.

As of 2012, Adelaide United is the most successful Australian club in Asia because it is the only A-League club to participate in AFC Champions League four times. They also have the most goals scored by a team in a single match in an A-League game. They beat North Queensland Fury 8-1 on 21 January 2011 in Hindmarsh Stadium. The team also became the first in the league to have 2 hattricks scored by Sergio van Dijk and Marcos Flores.

The most common nick name used for Adelaide United is “The Reds” but they are also unofficially referred to as “Pissant’s” by a large number of fans owning to remarks made by head coach Aurelio Vidmar after a heart breaking loss in February 2009.

Three South Australian state colors, red, blue and yellow, were used to make the original Adelaide United kit. Large yellow stripes go down both sleeves of a mainly red top. State colors are also used in the badge in a stylized swoosh above what looks like a football.

Home matches played by Adelaide United are at Hindmarsh Stadium but two matches, as exceptions, are played at Adelaide Oval. These matches are against Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. These clubs are also the two main rival of Adelaide United. Adelaide affiliated clubs are Fort Lauderdale Strikers, USA and Shandon Luneng, China.